Immunity is built in the in-between

Along with the love and laughter, there is also the reality that we are all spending more time together, passing around not just stories and memories, but germs too.

I used to think immunity was something you either had or you didn’t.

A switch you flicked with the right product or habit.

These days I see it more as an ongoing daily maintenance program.

Something you tend to quietly in the background while life is happening.

The holiday season is beautiful, but it can also be demanding.

Late nights, full calendars, extra socialising, travel and the emotional weight that Christmas can carry for many people.

All of that asks a lot of our bodies.

Supporting immunity during this time is less about avoiding life and more about giving your body a little extra care so it can keep up with the joy.

For me, immunity starts with food.

Simple, fresh, real food that actually makes it on to the plate.

Fresh pineapple is a good example, an easy one that doubles as a treat for kids and adults alike.

It is hydrating, naturally sweet, rich in vitamin C, and contains bromelain, which reduces inflammation and helps digestion.

It feels like nourishment rather than a rule, and that matters at this time of year.

Alongside food, I do use a few trusted products when I feel my system needs extra support.

Bioceuticals ArmaForce is one I have reached for over the years, particularly during busy periods or when I feel something brewing.

I do not see it as a cure, more as a support act alongside good food and rest.

My daughter loves the kids’ version as a ‘special drink’, which I swear has got us through the year relatively unscathed by illness (touching wood!).

Sleep and rest are key.

You can eat well and take supplements, but if you are constantly rushing, under pressure, and not sleeping, your body is in survival mode.

Immunity does not thrive in constant stress.

It thrives when the nervous system feels safe enough to rest and repair.

Sleep becomes especially important at this time of year, even when evenings stretch later and routines loosen.

So does hydration, which we often forget when the weather is cooler.

Warm water, herbal teas and regular fluids can quietly support the body more than we realise.

I also try to remember that getting sick is not a personal failure. It is information.

A signal to slow down, pull back a little and care for yourself the way you would care for someone you love.

Christmas is about connection.

About sharing meals, stories, laughter and those small gems of love that pass between people when they feel seen and together.

Supporting your immunity is not about missing out on that.

It is about giving your body enough support to enjoy it fully.

Small habits.

Gentle care.

Less pressure.

More kindness.

That is what immunity looks like in real life, especially at Christmas.