Blog

Winter is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to focus on your health and wellness. With the cold weather comes the risk of colds, flu, and other seasonal ailments. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are 8 simple and effective ways to stay safe and healthy this winter.

1. Stay Hydrated

Trust me – we know how many times you have heard this advice. But we’re here to give it to you again because it’s just that important! Even though it’s cold outside, staying hydrated is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and a weakened immune system.

Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Warm beverages like tea or hot chocolate can also help keep you cozy and hydrated (just remember that sodas and coffees shouldn’t replace your water intake!).

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Insulated Water Bottles: Invest in an insulated water bottle to keep your drinks hot or cold all day long!
• Swivel Cup Holder: For those with walkers, wheelchairs, bed rails, and transport chairs, this handy tool ensures that your drink is readily available and easily attaches to all those items.

2. Boost Your Immune System

Another tried and true method to stay healthy is by getting all your essential vitamins! A strong immune system is your best defense against winter illnesses. Load up on vitamin C with foods like citrus fruits, leafy greens, and bell peppers. Supplements like vitamin C, zinc, or probiotics can give your immune system an extra boost.

Just make sure to check with your doctor about adding new supplements to your regimen.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Ginger Tea: A natural anti-inflammatory that can help soothe a sore throat and reduce chronic pain.
• Omega-3 Supplements: Boost your white blood cell count and support heart health.

3. Exercise Regularly

Staying active is crucial for both physical and mental health. Indoor activities like yoga, Pilates, or bodyweight exercises can keep you moving even when it’s too cold to go outside. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day.

Your doctor can also recommend an exercise regimen suited to your needs. If you’re not sure how to get started, YouTube is a great resource for free workouts or low-impact yoga sessions.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Dumbbell Set: Set a set of dumbbells that you can keep handy to work on your leg and arm muscles and improve your strength. This can be as simple as doing light bicep curls.
• Pedal Exerciser: A compact and convenient way to get a low-impact workout for your legs and arms, perfect for use while sitting at home or at work.
• Overdoor Exercise Set: An easy-to-install set that allows you to perform a variety of resistance exercises using your door as an anchor point.
• Exercise Squeeze Egg: A small, portable tool designed to strengthen hand and finger muscles, ideal for improving grip and relieving stress.
• Step Stool with Hand Rail: Use it for step-up exercises to strengthen your legs and improve balance. Just be careful!
• Tube Resistance Bands: This 11-piece set with five resistance levels is a great first step to staying active indoors.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Good sleep is essential for a healthy immune system. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, avoid caffeine and electronics before bed, and make your bedroom a sleep-friendly environment. The recommended amount of sleep for adults is between 7 and 9 hours.

For those who struggle with sleep apnea, it’s important to ensure your CPAP machine is set up properly and that your mask fit is correct for your face. Contact your local home medical equipment provider like CarePro Home Medical and Kelly’s Home Medical for assistance with this!

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Contour Flip Pillow: Do you suffer from neck pain or body aches? This pillow offers a creative ergonomic design to help you sleep better and without pain.
• Contour Twist Neck Pillow: The Twist neck pillow allows you to bend it into virtually any shape you want—and it stays! It’s perfect for supporting your head and neck while you sleep, especially during travel.
• Memory Foam Leg Pillow: This helps relieve pressure and pain while you sleep because it improves your spine alignment, molds to your exact shape, and cushions your knees and legs.
• Knee Spacer: Ideal for those who have difficulty sitting or sleeping due to hip, leg, back, or joint pain. This hourglass design promotes parallel alignment of the legs, hips, and spine during sleep. Helps to reduce discomfort in the lower back, legs, hips, ankles.
• CPAP Machines: If you have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea (or have had yours for over 5 years), it’s time to look into getting a CPAP Machine. This device is a key component of sleep therapy and will make a major difference in your sleep and overall health.

5. Practice Good Hygiene

Prevent the spread of winter illnesses by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and keep your distance from people who are sick.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• AloeTouch Premium Cleaning Cloths: A great general cleaning cloth that is alcohol-free and hypoallergenic for on-the-go sanitization.
• CPAP Mask Wipes from Contour: Keep your CPAP equipment clean without the hassle of washing and soaking.
• Hand Sanitizer Spray: Convenient and effective for staying germ-free on the go.

6. Stay Warm and Cozy

Cold weather can worsen health conditions and make you more susceptible to illness. Dress warmly, use a humidifier to maintain moisture in your home, and snuggle up with a heated blanket.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• CorPak Soft Comfort Hot & Cold: Warm these packs in the microwave to stay cozy and aid in muscle relaxation, encouraging increased blood flow to promote healing. This is the perfect solution to help relieve strains, sprains, headaches and other soft tissue injuries.
• Hot & Cold Massage Set: Stay relaxed and cozy with this massage set that includes a foot massager, firm studded massage ball, soft studded massage ball, and smooth massage ball. Perfect to relieve muscle soreness and aid in recovery after those 30 minutes of exercise you’ll be doing!
• Heating Pads & Heated Blankets: Always a good option to stay warm in the house and it’s a bonus that it helps you relax, too!

7. Manage Stress

Winter can bring about seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and increased stress. Practice mindfulness, meditation, and ensure you get enough sleep to manage stress levels.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Sun Lamp from Vive Health: The sleek UV-free light is great for those who spend the majority of the time indoors and those who suffer from seasonal depression as it elevates mood and energy levels while regulating sleep patterns.
• Carex Sunlite Light Therapy Lamp: Treat those Winter Blues with this lamp. It can also help treat circadian sleep disorders (so you can get all that sleep!), jet lag and low energy. It’s also designed for those who experience mild to moderate light deficiency symptoms.
• Aromatherapy Diffusers: Promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Bonus that it helps your home smell wonderful!

8. Monitor Your Health

Keep an eye on your health and seek medical attention if you notice any unusual symptoms. Investing in health monitoring tools can help you stay on top of your well-being.

Tools to Help You Stay Healthy:

• Fingertip Pulse Oximeter: Monitor your oxygen levels easily.
• Infrared Non-Contact Thermometer: Quick and accurate temperature readings without contact.

Stay Safe with CarePro Home Medical & Kelly's Home Medical

By following these winter wellness tips and incorporating our recommended products into your daily routine, you’ll be well on your way to staying safe and healthy this winter. Prioritize your health, stay informed, and seek medical attention if needed. Browse our catalog to see our full line of products.

Stay healthy, stay happy, and stay warm this winter!