Winter means colder weather and holidays spent with family and friends. To help you transition through this season, we’ve put together some helpful reminders. Check out our winter health tips below to ensure you stay healthy throughout the winter.
Avoid the Dreaded Winter Weight Gain
To regulate hunger, drink a glass of water before eating a meal. The water will make you feel fuller and help prevent overeating. Remember to keep yourself moving! Even though it is darker and colder out, find an enjoyable form of exercise and keep up with it regularly. Adults need 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week for optimal health.
Get Your Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine helps prevent millions of people from getting sick from the flu every year. Winter is peak season for the flu virus to circulate, causing mild to severe respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, headaches, fatigue, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Vaccines can greatly reduce your chance of getting sick. Becoming ill with the flu virus can cause you to miss valuable time from school or work. Schedule an appointment today to get your flu shot!
Prevent Injuries
Here are some tips on how to prevent injuries this winter:
- Beware wet of wet and slippery areas on pavement when walking to and from your destination. Sometimes ice can be invisible to the eye making it difficult to detect. When it is cold out, it is best to treat all pavement as hazardous.
- Walk slowly, take short strides, and use handrails if available. It is also best to choose well-walked paths.
- When shoveling snow, exercise caution and do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
- Take it slow, and stretch before you begin shoveling. Shovel only fresh, powdery snow, and push rather than lift it. Most importantly, do not work to the point of exhaustion. Do not shovel after eating or while smoking
Take Care of Your Skin
Cold, dry air can make your skin red, itchy, and irritated. We suggest using a moisturizer daily for your skin, preferably SPF 30 or higher. You can also purchase a humidifier for your home. Stay hydrated, and try not to set your thermostat too high, as central heating can dry your skin.
Keep Up with Primary Care Visits
We know how tempting it can be to call off all of your medical appointments and stay inside all winter. However, it is important to keep up with your regular health appointments. Even if you don’t have any current health concerns, visiting your primary care doctor can help you spot issues before they become worse. Schedule your health check-up with us today!