Getting Ready for Winter

As we age, our immune systems become weaker and less able to fight off viruses. We gradually lose the muscle mass that helps us keep warm and moving about. And the cold makes health conditions harder to manage – it can even affect our hearts and circulation.

The good news is that there’s lots we can do to help keep ourselves well in winter.

Here are our tips for getting through the winter.

Tip one: Keep moving

Try not to sit still for more than an hour at a time. Even a little bit of activity now and then can help you maintain strength and mobility.

This can be easier said than done. You might well have found that you’re not feeling as fit as you did before the coronavirus pandemic started – if so, you’re not alone. Lots of us are finding things we used to do less easy.

If you’re not sure where to start, or you have a long-term condition that makes moving more difficult,you can build this up over time. Take it easy but be determined to get moving.

Some people experience frailty as they age, which can make it more difficult to move around, and winter illnesses can have much more of an impact.

Eat well

Spending more time indoors and doing fewer of the things we enjoy means it can be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals. But it’s good to try and keep to a routine. The main thing to remember is that it is better to ear a bit of what you fancy -even if it is a slice of cake – than to eat nothing at all.

It’s a good idea to keep your cupboards stocked with some basics just in case you can’t get out to the shops – whether due to illness or bad weather.

Get your winter vaccinations – even if you’re fighting fit

This winter, respiratory viruses are expected to be more widespread, as we were less exposed to them during the coronavirus lockdowns. So it’s especially important to get your vaccinations this year.