Stay Well This Winter

Boost your immunity this winter. It’s important to get your winter flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations if you’re eligible.
Getting vaccinated every year will top up your protection and reduce your risk of getting severe symptoms.

Stay active this winter. Improve your sense of motivation and boost your mental wellbeing. There are many ways to get active, from walking groups to walking football, there are loads of great clubs and groups across the South West offering everything from rumba to roller skating.

Eat well this winter. Here’s our top tips for eating well to stay well this winter.
Vitamin D – adults and children over 4 years consider taking a daily 10mcg supplement during the autumn and winter months.
Buy frozen! Frozen fruit and veg are a great way to get your 5-a-day, often at lower cost and increased nutritional value.
Dehydration is also possible in winter! Fluids are essential for good health with some choices being healthier than others.
Eating seasonally is a great way to get a variety of fruit and veg at a lower cost and as a more sustainable option.

Look out for others. You can find support information and signposting relevant to your local area to help you stay well this winter.

Stay Warm and Well. There are lots of welcoming spaces across BSW providing a warm and friendly place for people to go if they need support or help through the cost of living crisis. 
Open for residents to spend time, meet people, feel safe and offer warmth in cold weather, these spaces provide somewhere to find information about what is going on in your neighbourhood and to feel welcomed.

Protect your mental health. Research tells us that there are five simple things we can do to have a positive impact on our mental health. 
Connect with other people and get emotional support and share positive experiences. Keep active to lift your mood. Learn a new skill and boost your confidence and self-esteem, such as learning to cook a new recipe or trying a new task at work. Help others, such as volunteering or visiting family or friends that you haven’t seen for a while. Bring your attention to focus on the present moment to increase your awareness and develop ‘mindfulness’. 

Get Connected. The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

Catch it, bin it, kill it. We often see cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus reach high levels in the winter. Help stop the spread of infections by staying home if you feel unwell and washing your hands regularly. Germs spread easily. Carry tissues to catch coughs and sneezes and dispose of them as soon as possible. Hands can also transfer germs so clean your hands as often as you can.

Think pharmacy first. Many pharmacies can now assess, treat, and when appropriate, provide some prescription medicine for earache for those aged between 1 and 17, impetigo for those aged 1 year and over, infected insect bites for those aged 1 year and over, shingles for those aged over 18 years old, sinusitis for those aged 12 years and over, sore throat for those aged 5 years and over and urinary tract infections for women aged 16-64 years without the need for a GP appointment.​

Wash your hands regularly. A really simple way to help you stay well this winter is hand washing. We know it is the most effective way to reduce the spread of infection. Although germs are often harmless, they can also cause illness. Washing hands with soap prevents infections, stops the spread of infections, reduces the risk of illness and helps to protect others.

Practice Self Care. Be prepared for common illnesses and injuries by keeping your medicine cabinet stocked with these items all year round, painkillers, antihistamines, oral hydration salts, indigestion treatment, anti-diarrhoea tablets, suncream and a first aid kit with bandages and plasters, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressing, medical tape and tweezers

Looking after an ill child at home. There are lots of things you can do to keep yourself and your child well this winter. Keep children hydrated and give painkillers. If you need medical advice you can use NHS 111, contact your GP surgery or visit your local pharmacist for clinical advice on minor health concerns.

Know your numbers. Around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many will not realise it.
High blood pressure rarely has noticeable symptoms but if untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
You can get your blood pressure checked at your local pharmacy, or with a home monitor – they are cheap and easy to buy.
If you do have high blood pressure you can make healthy lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthy, reducing your salt intake and drinking less alcohol.

Right service, right time. Please use NHS services wisely to make sure you can get the most appropriate support and help us to help you.
We want to make sure you get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional.
If you are not sure what help you may need, 111 online can advise. There is also your GP practice, pharmacies, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres across BSW.l.