Managing our health and daily routines in the lead up to winter is essential for positive wellbeing over the colder months. As the days get shorter and darker and the wet and cold sets in, it’s easy to let trusted habits slip (and let a few not-so-good ones slip in!).
We seek comfort when it’s cold and may find our energy drops. We can be less willing to do things even though we know they are good for us. And when we look to nature, there’s much hibernation in winter. Many bare trees are visible in our neighbourhoods, and there is less of the vibrancy of the warmer months. It’s no wonder it’s easy to feel a bit gloomy.
As tempting as it is to retreat, balance is still important. It’s a time to keep our loved ones active and connected, eating well, getting adequate rest and for carers to stay alert if things do take a turn.
Here are our top seven tips to prepare for winter and to stay in good health as we move through the more dormant months:
As we get older, we can suffer from weakened immune systems. Keeping warm and comfortable over the cold months will help to avoid negative health impacts that can arise from the chills. We lose more heat from the body as we age, leading to hypothermia and potential health complications such as heart issues, kidney failure or worse.
Ensure your environment is warm and that you have appropriate clothing for heading outdoors, such as coats, gloves and scarves. Good bedding is necessary to maintain a healthy temperature over the colder nights.
Physical activity will help keep blood circulation healthy, drive metabolism, promote good respiration and keep muscles and connective tissue warm. Most of us enjoy physical activity with others, so it’s a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends and the community. A daily walk for 30 minutes is a low-cost and easy way to stay physically active.
If indoor activity is preferred, join a movement class like Qi Gong, which will provide steady, focused movement and help build strength, balance and a positive mindset. Pearl Home Care can assist you to find group activities and community groups to suit your needs and preferences.
Over winter, stay connected with friends by planning a weekly routine lunch or coffee, or enjoy a seniors’ screenings at the local cinema. Pearl Home Care can help you find places to visit and arrange transportation and tickets. More businesses are offering special programs over winter, so it’s a great time to connect with local councils to see what’s happening and how to get involved.
We all developed positive health practices over the year of COVID-19, such as sanitising and social distancing. The number of cold and flu cases dropped significantly in 2020. While there are a number of reasons this could be, it certainly has been identified that the safety practices in place made the transfer of bugs and germs less prevalent. Remember to sanitise your hands on returning home and wash them regularly for 20 seconds with warm soapy water.
Winter is a lovely time to embrace a routine conducive to the shorter, darker days. Aim to go to bed by 10pm and have quality sleep of between eight and ten hours each night. Try to make going to bed and rising in the morning the same each day. Enjoy quiet activities at home like re-reading your favourite classic novels or start a puzzle. These quieter moments will be well-appreciated physiologically over winter and will balance the times when out enjoying life. Winter is a time to rejuvenate, reflect and restore, just as nature is doing.
Winter can be a very vulnerable time for many, so it could be the time to arrange an extra visit from your Pearl Home Care representative. This additional care will ensure that routine is maintained, your home is comfortable and secure, the pantry is stocked with healthy food choices, the house is clean and getting aired, and you continue to move around and be active in the community.
Planning for winter will make the transition just that bit easier and avoid compromising the health and wellbeing of our vulnerable loved ones. The colder months can be a wonderful time to enjoy nutritious, hearty food and to spend time with friends in warm, comfortable settings. Balancing activity to keep us warm and healthy, with moments of important quiet reflection, will get us ready for the bloom of spring!
