Keeping well in winter

1. Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated
2. Get your flu jab – speak to your GP surgery or visit a pharmacy
3. You can try to keep as much warmth in your home as possible, by using heavy curtains and closing them as soon as it gets dark, keeping all doors closed to reduce cold draughts and insulating hot water cylinders and pipes.
4. Keep active when you’re indoors and try not to sit still for more than an hour or so.  It also helps to wear several layers of light clothing, as multiple layers trap warm air better than one bulky layer.
5. A hot water bottle or electric blanket is a great way to stay warm, but remember to never use them at the same time!
6. Have at least one hot meal a day with regular hot drinks, as they’ll help keep you warm.
7. Try to eat more fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) and there’s lots of great winter root vegetables available, such as parsnips, turnips and swedes.
8. Avoid unnecessary cold weather breakdowns by having your heating and cooking appliances regularly checked or serviced.
9. If you take regular medication, don’t forget to order and collect any prescriptions you may need, so you’re ready in case there’s bad weather or before any public holidays, as many GP surgeries and pharmacies close over the holidays.
10. Beat winter tiredness by getting out and about in natural daylight, getting a good night’s sleep and de-stressing with meditation or exercise.
11. Remember to check on older and more vulnerable relatives and neighbours, especially if they have heart or breathing (respiratory) problems.  Make sure they’re safe, well and warm, especially at night, and have enough food and medicine, so they don’t have to go out if it’s very cold or icy.

For more tips, visit our keeping well, staying healthy section

For more information, please visit the Wye Valley NHS Trust website

There are a number of local organisations which can help support your mental health and wellbeing.

Local NHS urgent mental health helpline

Tel: 0808 196 9127

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year

Herefordshire MIND

A local mental health charity providing a range of different support services, groups, and activities for adults with mental health problems. 

Visit the Herefordshire Mind website (herefordshire-mind.org.uk)

Tel: 01432 271643

Herefordshire Mind also offers a Safe Haven every evening from 5pm to 10pm, where people suffering a mental health crisis or in need of urgent support can visit. Contact: safehaven@herefordshire-mind.org.uk or 01432 372407

Now We’re Talking

The Now We’re Talking website provides a range of support for people experiencing mental health challenges, including online resources, talking therapy services, and help for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

Visit the Now We're Talking website (nowweretalking.nhs.uk)

Winter time can be hard for many people and the dark nights and bad weather can be very isolating, but support is available.

Talk Community Hubs

Places where people can find friendship, positive things to do, acquire new skills and get help and advice on food, housing, finances, and health and wellbeing.

Find your nearest Talk Community Hub (talkcommunitydirectory.org)

Homelessness support

If you need emergency assistance outside of normal office hours, you can contact the Out of Hours Service, provided by the Housing Solutions Team. 

Tel: 01432 261 600

Or find out more on our homelessness support pages (talkcommunitydirectory.org)

If you’ve got money on your mind and you’re finding it difficult to cope with money or debt problems, or you are worried about energy bills, our website can help you find the support you need.

There's everything from general information about money management and budgeting, to financial help and advice with energy bills, and financial support if you need white goods or essentials for your house.

Visit our money on your mind pages (talkcommunity.org) .

Food banks

There is a food bank or community larder in each of the county’s market towns and city.

You may need to be referred by a qualifying organisation or have a voucher to access the service, but if you contact your nearest food bank directly, they’ll be able to advise on the process. Find your nearest food bank (talkcommunitydirectory.org).

Pension Credit 

Pension Credit is worth on average, £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including the winter fuel payment, help with council tax,* NHS dental care and for those over 75 a free TV licence. *Find out more on the Pension Credit page.