The days are getting darker, autumn's colour is slowly giving way to a drab landscape and no matter were you go, the sound of coughs and sniffles always seems to follow you. This can only mean one thing: winter is on the way.

Winter has a way of getting to us with all the nasty that it brings with it: exhaustion, cold, illness, depression not exactly something to look forward to. In order to counter that, we have scavenged the globe for the most useful tips on how to prevent those coughs and sniffles this winter, ranging from dietary tips to advice on how to spend your free time. Here are some words of wisdom from some of our most valued experts:

Your Nutritionist says: Consume carbs, carbs, carbs! Forget Atkins, forget low-carb diets, your body needs carbohydrates in order to keep itself warm throughout the winter. Don't overdo it, of course - keep in mind that everything is best consumed in moderation. What is essential to a healthy diet is to eat quality foods (whole foods, starch, protein, veggies) in the right quantities.

Your GP says: Getting the flu jab is always a good idea. You can never be too careful when it comes to building up your body's defences, and nothing works better than modern medicine. Vitamin tablets in addition to your regular meals are also advisable - your body could do with some extra Zinc, Iron, and Vitamin C to boost your immune system during the winter time. Getting a few extra hours of rest is also highly beneficial - you won't believe the ways in which your body revives and restores itself during those times of rest. It great strengthens your defence mechanisms which will help you combat that head cold.

Your Osteopath says: Get a soothing deep-massage to loosen up your joints and muscle and stimulate the blood flood. Acupressure and acupuncture are also great alternative practices which help balance the energy in your body and help it recuperate from any unwanted pains or illnesses. Many forms of muscularskeletal manipulation will tackle your ailments at the root of the problem. Don't just treat the symptoms; treat the underlying causes of the problem.

Your Psychologist says: Take a holiday. Go to the French Alps, or to Spain - any place that you might be able to find tranquillity, exercise, and plenty of sunlight. Believe it or not, but many people undergo seasonal depression due to the lack of sunlight in winter. Enjoy some fun in the sun this winter to prevent yourself from getting down in the dumps.

These expert perspectives should be enough to keep you healthy in every possible way this winter season: physically, mentally, and emotionally. So beat down the problem before it gets you down - eat that well-balanced meal, take some vitamin pills, get a deep-tissue massage and plan that holiday for mid-January. We all have our own ways of ploughing through another long winter, but hopefully, armed with these bits of advice, you are well on your way to emerging from that bitter cold unscathed, whole, and happy.