The biggest risks to your health this winter (and how to prevent them)

From illnesses to accidents, winter is the time of the year when our health is most likely to be impacted

AS MUCH FONDNESS as we might have for the idea of a winter wonderland, not to mention the festivity of the holidays, winter should be a time when we’re all a little more vigilant, as well. From illnesses to accidents, it’s the time of the year when our health is most likely to be impacted. Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to just hide indoors and live in fear. There’s plenty you can do to safeguard yourself and your family, so let’s look at a few precautions you should start taking.

The Season Of Bugs

Winter is the prime time when it comes to the flu, colds, and other respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Because we all tend to huddle indoors, these illnesses spread around a lot more easily. Hygiene is the first step towards preparation. Make sure that you wash your hands regularly, especially after touching any surfaces that others have routine access to, clean those surfaces after touching them, and avoid touching your face. You might want to consider getting the annual vaccine to reduce your chances of infection and complications. If you do get sick, it’s important to stay at home, rest, hydrate, and boost your immune system with supplements. Even if you’re able to shake off a cold easily, you need to think about who you might spread it to, who isn’t quite as able.

Don’t Underestimate The Cold

Although you might think that wrapping up under a few layers is enough to keep you safe, exposure to the cold weather can put your body under a lot of stress and, eventually, can lead to hypothermia. If you’re experiencing heavy shivering, confusion, fatigue, or even starting to slur your speech due to the cold, you may need medical attention. Ensure that you have a good supply of warm clothing, including hats and gloves, and that you’re able to heat your home up effectively. Older furnaces, poor insulation, and outdated windows can make your home dangerously cold, so be sure to give it a thorough check before the cold weather really rolls in. Be sure to check in on elderly relatives or neighbours who might struggle to stay warm in the winter, too.

The Threat Of Carbon Monoxide

Older furnaces, as well as gas boilers and fireplaces, are all potential sources of carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly gas can leak from faulty appliances. If you experience symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and nausea out of nowhere, then you should get out of your home and call the emergency services about a suspected carbon monoxide leak at home. Otherwise, ensure you get your heating systems serviced once a year and install a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has a fuel-burning appliance.

Slips, Trips, And Falls

Icy pavements, snow-covered driveways, and wet steps are all major health risks when winter rolls in. Falls can lead to sprains, fractures, and head injuries, and are even more potentially dangerous for older adults, who may have a harder time recovering from such injuries. Make sure that you wear shoes or boots with a good grip when you head out, and avoid rushing outdoors in freezing conditions. When it snows, clear it early with the help of a snow blower, and always keep a supply of grit or salt on hand so that you can de-ice walkways around the home. Ensure paths around the home are well-lit, as well as newly formed frozen patches are particularly hard to see, and thus particularly dangerous, in the darkness.

Take Care Of Your Skin

It might not seem quite as big a risk as some of the others mentioned here, but the discomfort that comes with poor skincare in the winter is something that you want to avoid. Both the cold air outdoors and the central heating indoors can cause your skin to lose its moisture, leading to dryness, cracking, and irritation. Make sure that you drink enough water in the winter, first and foremost, but protect your skin even further with the help of fragrance-free moisturizers, especially after you wash or before you head to bed. Keeping a supply of lip balm can protect your lips, which tend to be the most routinely exposed part of your skin.

The Question Of Air Quality

When the temperatures begin to drop, we tend to keep the windows closed, trying to keep the heat in. However, this also traps pollutants such as dust, pet dander, and the like indoors, which can lead to respiratory issues, fatigue, and headaches. Make sure that you ventilate the rooms in your home for at least a few minutes every day to maintain a good air quality. This can also be done with the help of an air purifier. Depending on the moisture levels in the air, you might also want to invest in a humidifier or a dehumidifier. Fresh air is important for healthy lungs, especially for those with allergies or asthma.

Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health

There tends to be a pretty high uptick in depression and other mental health issues in the winter, typically linked to the relative lack of sunlight that the season brings. Shorter days and gloomy weather are big contributors to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, a form of depression that’s a lot more common in the winter. If you’re feeling a low mood, little motivation, or general fatigue, then it’s important to make sure that you get outside for at least 30 minutes a day, or consider investing in a light box, which can simulate the effects of sunlight inside the home. Investing time and energy into routine self-care, such as exercising, maintaining your sleep schedule, and spending time with friends and family, can also improve your mood.

With the tips above, you can be more aware of the dangers winter can pose to your health, as well as what you can do about it going forward. A little vigilance and preparation make it a lot easier to get through the chilly season safe, happy, and healthy.