After Thanksgiving and heading in to more holiday get-togethers, it seems colds abound and we just aren’t our healthiest selves. In an effort to change that, we have some tips for you to consider…
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1. Get your flu shot.
If you haven’t already, getting this year’s flu vaccine is a great idea, especially before you meet up with friends and family for the holidays and before you hit up any New Year’s Eve/Day celebrations. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu vaccination prevents tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year. For example, during 2019-2020 flu vaccination prevented an estimated 100,000 flu-related hospitalizations. A 2022 study showed the vaccine reduced children’s risk of severe, life-threatening influenza by 75 percent.
2. Drink water.
This is really an important health tip to keep in mind year-round, but it may be less top of mind when we’re craving warm, comforting beverages like hot cocoa and cappuccinos. Staying hydrated helps the body in many ways, including improving brain performance, aiding digestion, increasing energy, assisting weight loss and weight management, decreasing joint pain, regulating body temperature, preventing kidney stones, maintaining a healthy heart, removing toxins from the body and decreasing the frequency of headaches.
3. Keep applying sunscreen.
That’s right. Just because you see less of the sun, doesn’t mean its rays aren’t there or that they are any less harmful. You may have to apply less because you’ll be wearing more clothing, but be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on exposed areas each day. This is especially true in high altitudes and on reflective surfaces like snow and ice.
Did you know snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV light? That means the rays actually hit you twice, further increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
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4. Stay active.
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t keep your body moving. Take your beloved run indoors on a track (Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex in Wyomissing has one!) or run on a treadmill. Switch from outdoor to indoor stationary biking. Play pickleball inside. Take a hot yoga class — there’s still so much to do, and you can find it all right here in Berks County!
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5. Dress for the weather.
Frostbite is no joke. In weather below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, your body tissues, including skin and bone, can freeze. Your risk increases the colder the temperature is and the longer you are outside. Frostbite damage usually occurs before you can feel it, but symptoms to beware of are: blistering, hard or waxy skin, numbness and skin color changes. If you must be outside in extreme cold, wear several layers, limit the amount of time you’re outdoors in a stretch and change out of wet or cold clothes immediately.
6. The Winter Blues.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is an issue for 5 percent of adults in the U.S. for about 40 percent of the year. The “winter blues” are associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain that occurs when people are exposed to less daylight. Symptoms include constant sadness, a loss of interest in hobbies and activities, appetite and sleep changes and difficulty thinking. If you think you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder, visit your primary care physician.
