Dec 2, 2024
Wellness
Monitor your health during the cold winter months
Stay healthy this winter with proactive care and simple lifestyle changes
Many of us are guilty of “letting ourselves go” during the winter. Many of my patients tell me, “Oh, that’s just my winter weight,” but we don’t have to let ourselves go during the winter just because it’s cold outside. There are many things we can do to protect ourselves and maintain our health and activity level even when Jack Frost is knocking at our doors.
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First, get a flu shot. The flu season starts in the fall and lasts through the springtime (roughly October through April). The flu shot takes two weeks to become effective. I usually recommend that my patients get this in October, so they have immunity during most of the flu season.
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Choose a balanced diet. It's all too easy to get caught eating Halloween candy or having that extra serving of stuffing or apple pie at Thanksgiving, or even indulging in the cookies that we made for Santa. Ultimately, we need to make sure we are limiting the special treats and eating foods and beverages from each of the food groups with a focus on more vegetables and proteins and less carbohydrates. Over-indulging during the winter can affect our bodies and even our minds.
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Make sure you have your medications ready. Winter often brings severe weather, which can limit access to refills. Make sure you have the necessary prescriptions and that your medication list is up to date. You should review your medication list with your primary care provider to be sure your regimen is optimized. If you take over-the-counter cold and flu medications, be sure to get them early, before the shelves are empty.
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Most importantly, add exercise to your life every single day. Exercise really is the key to a happy, healthy life. Exercise is and should be prescribed as therapy for chronic illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, high blood pressure and even anxiety and depression. Too many patients say they cannot exercise during the winter; however, there are many forms of exercise that can be done when it’s cold outside. You can get a gym membership or go to an indoor pool. Stream exercise videos at home on your TV or computer. You can even exercise at your desk at work. There’s a workout program to fit any lifestyle or situation you choose.
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Lastly, patients need to stay social during the winter months. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or seasonal depression, is real. Learn more about that here. When the weather gets cold, and the sun goes down at 5 pm it’s tempting to stay home and shut yourself in like a bear hibernating for the winter. Instead, push yourself to be social. Staying active keeps our moods happy and positive.
Follow these tips to stay healthy this fall
Always check with your primary care provider before starting an exercise routine. If you're looking for a provider, TidalHealth has primary and specialty care providers conveniently located across Delmarva.
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