Photo by Craig Whitehead on Unsplash
As we age, our bodies don’t maintain body heat like they once did, so it’s important to take extra care to keep ourselves warm and healthy. When our bodies are exposed to cold temperatures they are at risk for developing illnesses like a cold or even something as extreme as hypothermia. This is especially true for elderly people. However, there are some precautions you can take to protect yourself from the effects of cold weather.
Dressing Warmly
Even if you don’t plan on having a snow day with your grandkids, you should still dress warm–even indoors. Though you may be indoors, if the temperature inside is cold enough, you could contract hypothermia. Hypothermia is especially hard to notice on your own, so it’s important to take every caution you can to prevent it. Dressing warmly should include wearing some type of hat to keep your body heat as close to you as possible. You can also use a throw blanket to warm up if you don’t want to keep adding layers.
Heating Correctly
Some people hesitate to use heat to save money. By not using a heater, the temperature in your house can be cold enough for people to develop health problems while inside. Dressing warmly can help prevent these problems, but so can properly heating your home. You should have your thermostat set to at least 68-70 degrees. If you want to save some money, shut the doors and vents of the rooms you aren’t using. You should also cover your windows with blinds or curtains to keep your home from losing heat. These methods of preserving heat will also help you save money.
Nutrition
When the weather starts getting cold, people must stick to their nutrition plan. You need to be eating enough food to keep up your weight. But this isn’t an excuse to “store for the winter” and be unhealthy. You should still keep active to increase your blood flow and maintain regular body heat. Nutrition also includes eating and drinking warm foods and beverages. Though alcohol may make you think you feel warm, you lose body heat while drinking it. So, only drink alcohol in small doses.
Asking for Help
You should always take your prescribed medication and you should also be aware of how your body will react in the cold. In the colder months, thyroid problems and diabetes can make it more difficult to regulate your body temperature while Parkinson’s disease and arthritis can make it more difficult to put on extra layers or grab a blanket. Memory loss might cause a person to go outside unprepared and not properly dressed. If you or a loved one might need help this season, visit onesourcehh.com/ for extensive professional health care that treats people from the comfort of their own home. With the holidays fast approaching, you’ll want to be home surrounded by familiarity and with the assurance of safety and care.
It’s fall, but it doesn’t mean you need to slip on ice to ring in the season. Bundle up and stay cozy as you prepare to dress in layers, eat healthily, and keep warm.