Cold weather and the winter months often bring a higher risk of illness, cold and flu. It even makes some health problems worse, especially for vulnerable people who are over 65 or have a long-term health condition.
Some people are more at risk than others during the winter months, including:
- People with a disability
- Pregnant women
- People over 65
- Children under 5
- People on low incomes who can’t afford to heat their home
- People with mental health conditions
- People who have long-term health conditions
12 ways to stay healthy during the winter months
1. Go to a pharmacy
If you are in one of the high-risk-groups stated above, you should see a pharmacist as soon as you feel unwell even if it is just the common cold. They will give you advice on how to treat minor illnesses and tell you if you need to see a doctor.
2. Call 111
If the pharmacies are closed and call 111 for NHS advice.
3. Get a flu jab
If you fall into one of the risk categories above, flu could be very dangerous. It can lead to serious illness like pneumonia or bronchitis and even death. Make sure you get a flu injection, especially if you’re over 65, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant.
You can get them from your GP surgery or any pharmacy. If you’re a child or a carer you could potentially get one for free. Furthermore, if you’re over 65 you could be entitled to a pneumococcal jab to help specifically protect you against pneumonia.
4. Keep your home warm
Keeping your house warm has a vast effect on the health of you and your family. 18C is the ideal temperature you should keep you home, especially if you’re not very mobile, over 65, or have a health condition. Retain this temperature in your bedroom while you sleep and don’t leave the window open. If you can’t heat all the rooms in your house, heat the living room in the day and the bedroom just before you’re about to go to sleep.
5. Have at least one hot meal a day.
This will help to keep your body warm. Cook things like porridge, soups and strews.
6. Have regular hot drinks.
Furthermore, don’t use alcohol to ‘keep warm’. It feels warm because your blood vessels expand but it actually draws the heat away from your vital organs.
7. Close curtains and doors
Draw your curtains and keep your doors closed, curtains with thermal linings are even better. You can also use keyhole covers to keep the draught out.
8. Do checks.
To make sure your heating is all in working order get it checked regularly.
9. Wrap up warm.
Always remember you can layer up on clothes during the day and at night. If you’re still cold, use a hot water bottle or an electric blanket in bed. But don’t use both at the same time.
10. Keep active.
Keeping active boosts your circulation. You don’t even need to do loads of exercise. Just moving around at least once an hour will help keep you warm.
11. Take supplements
Stay healthy by taking vitamin supplements to boost your immune system and wash your hand regularly.
12. Raise your feet
Also, when you are sat dawn keep your feet up as it is coldest nearest the ground.
If you can’t afford to heat your house sufficiently, you might be eligible to get winter fuel payments from the government. Make sure you know what you’re entitled to.
If you’re not in one of these vulnerable categories remember to check on your neighbours and relatives. Make sure they are safe and well, warm enough at night and have enough food and medicines so that they don’t have to go out in the cold.
How can Oak Tree products help you keep healthy in the winter?
Get an adjustable bed for optimum blood circulation
Our adjustable beds allow you to raise your legs while you are sleeping. They have a 5-point support system that optimises blood flow throughout your body. Good circulation is key for keeping warm during the winter.
Add-on the massage system to your new adjustable bed to stimulate blood flow further. Browse our beds here…
Keep warm with our rise and recline chairs
You can add a heat source to your new rise and recline chair which is perfect for staying warm and healthy during the winter months.
You can also add massage to help stimulate blood flow. Furthermore, sitting in a reclined position with your legs, hips and ankles supported makes it easier for your body to pump blood around the body this will prevent your extremities being cut off from the blood flow.
By having your legs elevated while you sit you won’t leave them near the cold floor which will also help to keep you warm. Choose your ideal rise and recline chair here…
Have a bath
Having a warm bath on a cold winter’s night is a sure way to keep your body temperature up. But what if your mobility prevents you from getting in and out of the bath easily? An Oak Tree Riviera Bath Lift can help. The bath lift will gently lift you lower you into a seated position and bring you up again at the touch of a button. Discover the Riviera Bath Lift here…
