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Stay Warm, Healthy, and Happy This Winter
Posted: 12/12/2024
As temperatures drop, it's essential to prioritise your health and comfort - here are some practical tips to help you stay warm, active, and healthy through the colder months.
Protect yourself and others from illness this winter:
- Get vaccinated: Stay up to date with flu shots, RSV and COVID-19 boosters if eligible.
- Take Vitamin D. In the UK the NHS Department of Health and Social Care recommends Vitamin D is taken from October until March – ask your pharmacist for advice and see our earlier blog for more information.
- Stop the spread of germs: Wash hands with warm, soapy water, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and wear a mask in crowded spaces.
- Be medicine-ready: Ask your pharmacist for advice on stocking up on remedies for common winter ailments.
- Try to get outdoors every day to soak up some daylight – bundle up in warm clothes and meet a friend for a walk. Socialising and gentle exercise can be a boost to your mental health during the darker months.
Winter can bring additional stresses to your eyes due to night driving, more time spent indoors, and the drying effects of central heating.
- Night driving can be a challenge due to headlight glare – check your glasses are in good condition and up to date and keep your windscreen and glasses clean.
- Increased use of screens due to more time spent indoors can cause digital eyestrain if glasses are needed or current glasses are not up to date – book an eye exam if you are unsure.
- Take regular breaks from screen use – every 20 minutes take a 20 second ‘micro-break’ and blink 20 times
- If you suffer with dry eyes, make sure you are using your drops regularly and if you have not had your condition checked for some time, book an appointment to ensure you are using the optimal treatment regime.
- Radiator humidifiers are an inexpensive way to ensure your environment does not get too dry.
Your diet can be a powerful ally against winter’s chill.
- Enjoy a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables to support your immune system.
- Treat yourself to at least one hearty, hot meal daily.
- Sip on warm drinks like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate to stay hydrated and cosy.
Stay Warm at Home
Keeping warm enough is key to winter wellness. Aim to maintain a temperature of at least 18°C (64°F) in rooms you use frequently. To enhance warmth:
- Layer up with thin, insulating clothing.
- Keep bedroom windows closed at night to retain heat.
- Use draft excluders to block chilly air around doors.
- Snuggle up with hot water bottles, electric blankets, or heated throws.
Embrace Winter, One Cosy Day at a Time
With a little preparation and these tips, you can make the most of winter. Stay warm, active, and connected, and look after yourself – spring is only around the corner!
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