7 Senior-Friendly Rules for a Safe & Healthy Winter

If you live in an area where Old Man Winter plans to hang around, serve up freezing temperatures, and maybe even hit you with wind, rain, snow, and ice, you need a plan to stay safe and healthy.

Here are 7 winter tips for seniors for a safe and healthy season:

1. Eat healthy food

Most of your food should come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats and fish. And water should be your drink of choice over sugar sodas, juice, or alcohol.

Eating fresh and whole foods will help you get the nutrients you need to boost your immune system and make your body stronger.

If grocery shopping and cooking at home sounds like a lot, don’t worry. There’s an easy way to eat healthy.

Pick your favorite Senior-Friendly MagicKitchen.com meals all made from fresh ingredients from the menu, and you’ll have your next meal ready in minutes.

2. Stay on your feet in bad weather

Need to go outside in rain, sleet, snow, ice, or mud?

Wet and slippery conditions significantly increase the risk for falling. And you don’t want to do that.

Going outside in winter weather? Wear boots or shoes with heavy tread and traction to help you avoid slipping.

3. Wear warm clothing

Outdoors can be really cold, depending on where you live. But even indoors can get cold and drafty in some places during the winter.

The best way to stay warm…dress in layers. The extra layers will retain your body heat and help you stay warm. And if you get too warm, just shed a layer.

This advice is applicable to both indoors and outdoors – dress in layers! Layers will keep you warmer and are also easier to shed if you overheat. For an aging loved one, it can be increasingly difficult to regulate your own body temperature. Help them dress in layers to stay comfortable and in good health.

4. Move more, sit less

That’s easier said than done during cold-weather months, especially if Old Man Winter wallops your area with a storm.

But it’s still possible. If it’s too cold to go for a walk outside, walk indoors on a treadmill, at a gym, or in the mall. You can also be more active by going to the gym, taking a fitness class, or picking a fitness video you can follow along with at home.

5. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

You never know when Old Man Winter and Mother Nature might hit your area with a powerful storm. Ice, wind, rain, and snow can all create conditions that lead to a power outage.

Before that happens, NOW is always the best time to prepare. Create a simple kit with a few things to help you weather a power outage like:

• Candles and matches or a lighter
• Flashlights with fresh batteries
• Blankets and/or extra clothes, coat, sweater
• Water
• Food
• Battery-powered radio
• Full gas tank in your car
• Fully-charged cell phone or power bank for charging

Take a little time to prepare for the worst, and you’ll be glad you did if you lose power.

6. Ask for help BEFORE there’s a problem

If you live alone and getting around is hard, winter weather can make that even harder.

So don’t wait until you’re caught in a storm to ask for help. Do it now. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to check on you in the event of a storm. They can help you shovel your driveway and sidewalk, clear debris, and get you to the store or appointments if necessary.

7. Build relationships

Here’s another great way to stay healthy during the winter months when we spend more time indoors.

Spend more time with your family and friends. Play games. Visit. Work on a puzzle. Cook together. Share stories. Laugh more.

Research shows that positive and healthy relationships can improve your mood and mental health, and reduce depression and anxiety.

If in-person is hard to do, you can stay in touch with family and friends via the Internet, social media, and your smartphone.

One more thing…you can’t go wrong with a hot meal on a cold winter day. Especially if it’s made from fresh ingredients and only takes minutes to prepare. Check out the MagicKitchen.com menu of Senior-Friendly meals for more.