The “Comfort and Joy Winter Survival Guide”
Most of us often have two goals during the winter months: stay comfortable and enjoy the season. Comfort often translates into warm, dry, and healthy and “enjoy” means getting through it as joyfully as possible despite the temperature and overall gloominess of winter. More than anything we want to survive winter to get to the warmer, sunnier days of spring and summer. Some tips to make that happen:
· Stay healthy: Replace regular hand soap with antibacterial hand soap to reduce risk of catching the season flu and other germs that travel through contact with the body. Add a small container of hand sanitizer to purses and pockets when soap is unavailable and frequently use hand lotion to prevent dry and cracking skin and nails, often an easy area of contact for germs of all types. Get a flu shot, if recommended by your physician.
· Stay warm, inside and outside: Wear warm clothing if you go outside (hat, coat, gloves, and boots or warm shoes) and comfortable clothing if you plan to stay inside (long pants, long sleeves, sweater or sweatshirt, socks.) Use a light blanket in your lap while resting or watching TV and extra blankets on your bed at night. Drink hot beverages like coffee, tea, cocoa, or soup throughout the day.
· Tread carefully: Wear boots or shoes with tread when walking outdoors to reduce risk of slipping and falling on ice or snow. Use a cane or other walking aid to further reduce risk of falling. If there is snow or ice visible on the ground, consider changing your plans to avoid going outside.
· Keep a sunny disposition: Stay happy and joyful by staying busy with holiday activities, staying in touch with friends and family through phone calls, holiday cards and letters, and visits when able. Get plenty of exercise and movement activity to improve circulation, improve joint mobility, and prevent seasonal depression. Sit near a sunny window as often as possible to enjoy the brightness and soak up a little Vitamin D! Watch seasonal TV programs, such as old, traditional holiday movies or special holiday variety shows.
· Contact your local Petersen Health Care facility for additional support to stay warm, healthy, and safe during the winter months! Many short stay programs are available, including Pathways “Rehab to Home” after a hospitalization for seasonal illness, unexpected fall or injury, or planned procedure.
(**door hanger style flyer with facilities listed on back**)
(**postcard size “card”**)
The Comfort and Joy Winter Survival Kit
ü Hot beverages (for long, cold days)
ü Anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer (for busy, long, cold days)
ü Hand lotion (for rough, busy, long, cold days)
ü Contact information for your local Petersen Health Care facility (for comfort in knowing that we are available to help you through the rough, busy, long, cold days of winter!)
(**facility contact info on the back**)
(check marks…. Can we make boxes with check mark in the box?)