Winter continues to grind on in Southern Ontario and so naturally we keep our patients in mind as we all work through the cold and dark and try to make the most of our winter months. Winter can be great, but it comes with its own set of challenges too, particularly for our elderly family members. With that in mind, here are some tips to surviving the season by staying active and warm.

Staying active in the winter can be a real challenge. It’s cold outside and more difficult to get from one place to another. In spite of the challenges, there are things we can do to get our blood flowing and our muscles active.

• Home workout videos can get you active at your own comfort level, in your private home.
• Yoga works great too – even beginner level stretches can work wonders for cold, tired muscles.
• If you can get there, malls provide a bright, warm forum for a long healthy walk.

Feeling warmth is also important, and there are a number of ways to make sure we keep our bodies and minds in optimal health.

• Diet. Maybe the fruits and veggies of summer have gone, but there are still healthy options out there. A hot bowl of oatmeal and maple syrup can warm you up and brighten your day. Root vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes and onions are still plentiful and have loads of nutrients.
• Physical Warmth. Blankets, warm cups of tea, hot water bottles or heating pads can all work wonders to keep the cold out of our bones. Turning your ceiling fan on low in a clockwise direction will circulate warm air back down to you and not out the roof of your house.
• The warmth of loved ones. There is nothing like the voice of a friend or relative to pick up your spirits. No one should miss out on this because they can’t hear well over a conventional phone. Schneiker Audiology has high tech phones that will keep you connected to those that matter most to you.

It matters to us that our family is happy, content, safe, and well taken care of – at any time of year, but particularly now in the cold of winter. Let’s not just survive these winter months – let’s make them great. Together we can.