How to look after your family’s health this winter?
Photo by Andre Taissin on Unsplash
Winter is always a stressful time for parents. The days are getting shorter, and the weather is getting worse, so you need to make sure that your kids have enough to do while they are indoors. There are more germs and viruses flying around so you need to be working overtime to keep your kids and your partner healthy, and to look after them when they get sick. The holidays are coming up, so you need to make sure that you are saving a little extra each month for them. In short, winter is tough every year, and it is especially tough when there is still a pandemic happening. We have all been through so much over the last eighteen months, and the impact of the Delta variant on the United States has shown us that we cannot afford to be complacent just yet.
So, we all need to be thinking ahead to how we can look after our families in the colder months ahead, and we could all use a little support in making sure that we can do so. If you are wondering how you can minimize risk to your family’s health and keep everyone safe, here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Keep being COVID-19 aware
The Delta variant has now been detected in 99% of US cases and we all need to make sure that we are taking steps to protect ourselves and our families. Make sure that you continue to check and keep to the government’s health and safety guidelines, and that you take proactive steps such as wearing face masks indoors, using hand sanitizer when you are out of the house, social distancing where you can, and washing your hands for at least two minutes when you get back home. This virus is going to be with us for a while longer yet, so stay aware and alert. You should also get a flu vaccine for the winter.
Keep going for regular check-ups
Now, it is important to remember that COVID-19 is not the only health issue that we need to be aware of this winter. Just because we are in a pandemic, that does not mean that all the other serious health conditions have taken time off. You still need to make sure that you and your family are seeing your doctor on a regular basis to address any ongoing issues and to keep an eye out for anything that may develop.
You and your partner should be aware of the health conditions that we all need to watch for more carefully as we get older. One of the most important that you need to be checking for is cancer. Depending on your family history and your lifestyle, you or your partner may be more at risk than others, and you can find out your risk with Ezra’s cancer risk calculator. We all know the standard checks that we can do ourselves to look for lumps and bumps, but one of the best ways to look for any warning signs is with an MRI scan, and Ezra can get you scheduled for an annual check that will scan up to 13 organs for cancer and other illnesses.
Plan ahead
We all remember the news about shortages during the first few months of lockdown last year, don’t we? Well, while we are all hoping that we won’t have to be scouring the aisles for toilet paper this winter, it makes a lot of sense to plan ahead when it comes to our shopping this winter. Make sure that you are fully stocked for regular-use medicines, such as any pain-relief medication or cold medication for your children.
You should also make sure that you are planning meals for the winter that will give your family all the vitamins and minerals that they need. It is not always so easy to find fresh fruit and vegetables in the winter months, but it is important to make the effort. You can also think about buying multivitamins containing vitamins D and C to keep everyone’s immune system going.
Remember to get some fresh air
It can be so tempting when the weather is cold and grim to let your family bundle up inside. However, fresh air is so important for your family’s physical and mental health. You don’t need to suffer from the seasonal affective disorder to feel the impact of long stretches stuck indoors with no sunshine.
Keep getting your family outside for regular fresh air and exercise. It is important to keep their immune system strong, and it will have a positive impact on their mood. If you are wondering how you can get everyone motivated, think about making it a daily activity, or consider signing up for a fitness challenge. Something as simple as seeing who can log the most steps over the course of a month could be just the nudge they need.