The colder winter months can bring some added challenges when it comes to staying well, particularly for older people, children, pregnant people, those with long-term health conditions and people struggling to stay warm at home. The good news is there are lots of things we can all do to help to protect our own health and wellbeing and protect those around us.
Here you can find a range of tips and advice for staying warm, well and safe over winter, including where to get support if you need it.
Choose the right service
The NHS is here to help if you’re ill or injured. We want to make sure you get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional. There are lots of different services to choose from, for example:
- NHS website for self-care advice and service information
- Your local pharmacy for minor health complaints
- NHS 111 for urgent medical help 24 hours a day
- Your GP surgery for new or ongoing health conditions
- Urgent Treatment Centres, Minor Injury Units, and walk-in centres for injuries or illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening
- 999, A&E and Emergency Departments for serious or life-threatening emergencies like severe bleeding, breathing difficulties or chest pain.
Visit the NHS Sussex website for more information on which service to use when.
Pharmacy and prescriptions
Make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for the Christmas holidays. And, if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or any other medication, make sure you take them as directed.
Your pharmacist can also do so much more than complete your prescription. They can give you expert clinical advice for minor health concerns and help with many common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains. The best part is you don’t need to make an appointment.
Protect yourself and loved ones with vaccinations
Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent many infectious diseases. They prevent millions of deaths worldwide every year. Important winter vaccinations are flu, COVID-19 and now the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Anyone eligible for the COVID-19 and flu vaccinations can book via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. People aged 75-79 and pregnant people are being offered the free RSV vaccine. If you’re 28 or more weeks pregnant, contact your midwife or GP to book, and if you’re 75-79 please book when you receive your invitation.
Locally we’ve also seen a rise in the number of people catching measles and whooping cough, so if you’re not up to date on vaccinations for these illnesses then make sure you contact your GP practice to catch up.
Find out more about vaccinations and how to get them.
Stop the spread of winter bugs
Simple steps can make a big difference to help protect yourself from winter germs. Make sure you:
- Regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap
- Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, before binning
- Stay at home if you feel unwell and work from home if you can
- Wait for 48 hours after sickness and diarrhoea stops before returning to work, school, or visiting a health or care setting.
Look after your emotional health and wellbeing
Darker evenings, colder weather, more rain – winter can have a big impact on our mood and emotional state. Struggling from time to time is common and perfectly normal, you’re not alone and there is help and support available.
Visit the East Sussex Mental Health Directory to find out about the support available to you, from self-help, to support in a crisis, addiction services and help if you look after someone with a mental health condition.
Keep moving
There are many ways to keep active and it’s great for your physical and emotional health. It can boost your immune system and reduce your chance of falling, and exercising with other people can help avoid feelings of loneliness. If that’s not possible for you, then just moving more around at home can warm you up and improve fitness, strength and balance.
Visit the Getting East Sussex Moving web pages for some inspiration and places to be more active.
Get back to a healthier you
Lots of us make resolutions to get healthier in the New Year, but you can start at any time. If you’d like to stop smoking, lose weight, drink less or move more but aren’t sure where to start, then One You East Sussex can help find the perfect health and wellbeing programme for you. Their free face to face and digital wellness programmes give you all the tools, support and encouragement you’ll need to start improving your health today.
Visit the One You East Sussex website to get started.
Keep warm
Damp and cold homes can make you ill, especially if you already have a health condition. To help keep warm, it’s recommended to heat the rooms you’re spending time in to at least 18C. It’s also helpful to reduce draughts, keep your bedroom window closed at night, and wear several layers of thinner clothing rather than one thick layer.
If you’re worried about affording to heat your home, the Warm Home Check service can advise on financial support to stay warm, and potential home energy efficiency upgrades. Visit warmeastsussex.org.uk, text WARM to 80011, or call 0800 464 7307.
There are also winter-specific benefits like cold weather payments, the warm home discount and winter fuel payments. These are normally paid automatically if you’re already receiving a means-tested benefit like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Find out more on GOV.UK.
Help with the cost of living
Visit the East Sussex County Council website for a list of where to find more financial advice and support, including food banks, debt advice, and what to do if money worries are impacting your emotional wellbeing.
If you’re over state pension age and on a low income you could be entitled to extra money to help with living costs. Pension Credit could also provide help with council tax, housing benefit and a free TV licence for those over 75. It can be back dated by 3 months. Visit GOV.UK to check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit.
Look after others
Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family members, or people who live alone, may need some extra help over the winter. It’s a good idea to keep in touch to ask if they need any practical help, or if they’re feeling unwell. You could help make sure their cupboards are stocked up and that they can get their prescription medications. If you’re worried about someone’s health, you can contact NHS111 for advice.
Be prepared for cold and icy weather
Know when cold weather is coming to help you get prepared by signing up for free cold weather warnings at coldalert.info, by calling 01273 484 337 or by emailing information@coldalert.info. It’s sensible to keep a stock of food, water, and medicine at home, in case there’s any severe weather that makes it difficult to get out and about.
Did you know that power and water companies give priority help to some customers when services are interrupted? But first you need to register for this help. People who may qualify include pensioners, families with children under five, disabled people, people with a serious illness or mental health difficulty and people who rely on medical equipment or refrigerated medicine. Where to register.