How to prepare for winter

Dr William Bird William Bird
How to prepare for winter

Dr William Bird, GP and founder of the Beat the Street game, talks in this Beat the Bug blog about staying well through winter. Despite the US President’s assurances that we “should not be afraid of COVID”, the virus has not gone away and there are thousands of new cases being reported every day. However, there are things we can all do as individuals to protect ourselves and to kick out COVID-19!

Even though cases of COVID-19 are increasing, and some areas are experiencing tighter local lockdown restrictions, there is still much you can do as an individual and as a family to help reduce your personal risk and to boost your own and your family’s immunity.

Stay active

We are passionate about physical activity here, so we say this a lot, but staying active and ensuring you get out for at least a 30 minute walk every day is one of the best things you can do. Even if where you live is subject to local lockdown restrictions, you can still get outdoors and exercise.

Read the latest government advice:

Play Beat the Street

Eastbourne in East Sussex, and East Renfrewshire are currently playing the Beat the Street game, with Trowbridge, Bridgwater, Sinfin and Clay Cross joining in this week. If you live in these areas, please get involved – it’s free to play and you might discover new routes to school or work that will enable you to keep walking through the colder months! If there isn’t a game currently taking place near you, then why not have a look at a map to find a new part of your town to explore? We heard this week about a running group in Scotland who still run a route that they’d discovered during Beat the Street, and they continue to pretend to ‘tap’ the lampposts as they pass!

Green space

Going for a walk or spending time in green spaces is good for your mental health too. You can find apps to help you enjoy some meditation time and calm, such as Insight Timer and Headspace.

Stay warm

If you have older relatives, try to remind them to put the heating on and to stay warm. For elderly people in particular, it’s important not to get cold as this can seriously weaken their immune system. The temperature for the living room should be about at 21 degrees C and the bedroom at 18 degrees C.

Stay in touch

With Christmas on its way, lots of families will be considering whether grandchildren can stay with their grandparents. This is such a hard decision to make. Connection and family support are essential for grandparents, so if all parties are comfortable and careful, then people should feel safe to meet if restrictions are obeyed. However, if grandparents are vulnerable or anxious, then try to stay in touch via phone or video calling app. Captain Tom Moore sent out a powerful reminder this week that older people are often lonely, particularly at the moment. Is there someone you could call and chat to?

Does your diet include all of the nutrition and vitamins needed?

Try to eat a balanced diet with your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Cut out sugar where you can if possible as this causes inflammation on the body and puts stress on the immune system – much as I agree that reaching for a biscuit is tempting at the moment! Likewise, reducing alcohol consumption takes pressure away from the immune system.

Are you getting enough Vitamin D?

With shorter days and less sunlight, our bodies need a bit of help to produce vitamin D. NICE recommends adults should take a daily supplement containing 400IU (10mcg) or you can find it in certain food like mushrooms, fish or fortified cereals..

Isolation

Being isolated can cause problems for mental health and in turn, the immune system. Is there a way you can make meaningful human contact with others? Are there volunteering opportunities you could help with – for example if there a COVID-19 support network nearby or a Foodbank?

Preparation

Are you and your family ready to isolate if necessary? Download the NHS COVID-19 app or the Zoe app and make a note of the number of a support group who can help if needed. Do you have neighbours who can shop for you?

Sleep

Many people are having disturbed sleep at the moment. Try to go to bed a bit earlier and to avoid phone use just before you go to sleep. If you can use an old-school alarm and put your phone in another room, then even better.

Keep the bedroom clean and clutter free and try to avoid phone use.

Laugh

Laughter can help strengthen the immune system and helps you to breathe more deeply. Try watching a comedy or even laughter yoga! There are lots of sessions that online at the moment – this is one of our favourites! Every Body Laugh Together

Keep wearing a mask where needed, keep washing those hands and remember to social distance. For most of us, especially children, COVID-19 is relatively mild.

We will get through this.

Take care

William