Dreading the cold winter season? Stay safe, warm, and healthy with these tips!
With winter coming and temperatures dropping, it is important to be aware of potential threats like dehydration, flu, and pneumonia. Practice these reminders this winter to fight the chill.
- Drink something warm: A hot drink like tea or hot chocolate is a great way to warm up during the colder months. Make sure your hot drink does not have a lot of caffeine. Herbal teas are a great option.
- Stay hydrated: Upping your water intake is not just for the summer. Getting enough liquids is critical in the colder months as well. The dry air indoors and outdoors can cause dehydration.
- Keep your head warm: Most of our body heat escapes through the head and neck. Wear a scarf or a hat outdoors.
- Bundle up: Wear multiple layers of thin clothing, instead of one thick layer. Wearing multiple layers keeps the warm air close to the body and traps it inside.
- Turn on the heat: During the cold months, you should always set your thermostat to at least 65° Fahrenheit. If you can’t heat the whole home, make sure you keep the rooms you spend the most time in at this temperature.
- Stay active: Exercising indoors is a great way to stay warm! Don’t sit still, get up and walk around the house to get your blood pumping. Try to do light stretches to keep your muscles warm and prevent them from getting stiff in the cold.
Remember to keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia during the colder months. Early signs include pale skin, swollen face, slurring your words, anger or confusion, and cold feet and hands. Further signs of hypothermia include difficulty walking, moving slowly, and becoming clumsy. Slower heartbeat and shallow breathing can occur, resulting in loss of consciousness. If you or a loved one are experiencing warning signs of hypothermia, you should call 911 right away.
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