Winter is well and truly upon us and although it rains year-round in Ireland, the drop in temperatures leaves many people open to picking up bugs and illnesses.  From eating more fruit and vegetables to wrapping up warm, here’s the top ways to keep yourself fit and healthy this winter.  __________________________________ Fruity fruity! There’s no better way of getting your much-needed Vitamin C than eating more fruit. As well as being delicious and nutritious, fruit also helps boost your immune system which is a must for these winter months. Wrap up Well! It may sound obvious, but many Irish people actually don’t wrap up well when they are out and about over winter. Be it all in the name of fashion, but accessories such as tights, hats, scarves and gloves will help keep that chill out of your bones. Similarly, making sure you are wearing the right footwear, especially wandering the streets for the sales, is essential - there’s nothing more uncomfortable than wet feet, and nothing worse than the cold that’s sure to follow. Know your heating For all you asthmatics out there make sure there is some ventilation in your home if you are using central heating. Heating can dry up the mucus membranes (nose, mouth) which can make it more difficult for asthmatics to catch their breath. Hand cream The cold winter months have one annoying side-effect: dry skin. Investing in a good hand cream in particular is a must, as well as a good lip balm. There is nothing more annoying than cracked lips and painful skin on your hands over Christmas. Hot, hot, hot! Nothing will keep you going during winter better than eating the correct food. Winter is truly the time of piping hot meals and warm comforting platters of food. Stews, casseroles and soup are all ideal for this weather and also get in your much-needed vegetable intake. Eating porridge in the morning time will kick-start your day in the right way, getting you all nice and warm before you head out to work, and sustaining you for quite some time. Don’t be SAD this Christmas Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects a growing number of people in Ireland every year. There are many ways to help tackle this issue. Firstly, take in some Vitamin D. Although we laugh and joke about the weather, there are some crisp, sunny (and yes, freezing) winter days so get out there for a walk and soak up some Vitamin D. Exercise is another way of getting through the dark winter months. Just because it's winter and it’s cold outside, get out for a walk, join a gym or better yet - sign up for some exercise classes that will have the added bonus of meeting new people. Over Indulging Winter is a time where people often eat more and exercise less. Be aware of what you are eating especially those who are prone to IBS. The rich, heavy food that is synonmous with Christmas can lead to a lot of uncomfortable days and sore stomachs. Know what your body can handle and don’t over indulge. Sweet Dreams! Over the Christmas period we have a hectic social calendar, from work nights out to reuniting with friends who may be living elsewhere. These nights out, although great fun, can have adverse affects on your sleeping pattern. If you don’t get enough sleep you will be more prone to picking up bugs and colds that are going around. Counter this by getting to bed relatively early on the nights you are staying in. Water, water everywhere... And finally, the one piece of advise that really fits in to every season of the year: drinking more water not only hydrates your body and helps you to cope with the affects of central heating during the winter, but you will see other positive effects on your skin, your hair and your body in general.