Winter Health Tips for Seniors

Colder weather is just around the corner, bringing with it shorter days and the urge to hibernate. While the winter season provides ample opportunity to hunker down and ride out the cold, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, too. At Southview Senior Communities, our residents are our priority. And we wanted to share some winter health tips for seniors to support cold-weather wellness all season long.

Winter Hydration

No matter the season, hydration is always important. But with winter’s colder and dryer air, our breathing leads to increased water loss. This can cause a person to more quickly and unknowingly become dehydrated. For seniors, dehydration can lead to health issues including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure, to name a few.

Though you may not feel thirsty, it’s good practice to increase hydration—or maintain it, at the very least—throughout the winter months. And we’ve got a few ideas on effective ways to do this.

Start with water. Morning is a great time to hydrate and get your body prepped for the day. Drink a cup of water first thing in the morning to increase energy levels, mood, and cognition and to help stave off aches and pains.

Reach for something warm. Water isn’t the only liquid that can keep you hydrated. During the cold winter months, reach for a warm mug of tea, hot chocolate, cider, or another heated beverage. These types of drinks help with hydration and warmth.

Fill ’er up at mealtime. Be sure to have water or another beverage with your meals. This will help keep you hydrated and aid digestion.

Keep a water bottle handy. Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day, filled with water or possibly a warm beverage. Try to sip at regular intervals to keep up your fluid intake.

Layer Up for Warmth

Many seniors experience issues with circulation, which can increase exponentially with winter’s chill. Dressing in layers can help keep you warm while allowing you to stay comfortable should temperatures fluctuate. Heat is trapped between each layer, helping to keep that warmth where it’s most effective.

For your base layer, choose something comfortable but fitted so it stays close to your skin. Look for materials that wick moisture from the body to help keep you dry and warmer, too. Top that with wool, flannel, or fleece to help retain heat.

If you’re headed outside, be sure to add a protective nylon or polyester layer that’s wind- and water-resistant. Lock out as much of the cold, wind, and moisture as possible to help your body maintain its warmth. And again, with layered clothing, you can adjust as needed to keep yourself comfortable indoors and out.

Physical and Social Wellness

During the winter months, participating in regular physical and social activities can help maintain overall wellness. And our Southview Senior Communities have calendars jam-packed with enrichment events and activities to help residents stay active and engaged.

Social activities provide an outlet for seniors to communicate and connect with friends and neighbors, which is especially important when the cold weather keeps us indoors. Our community happy hours, live performances, crafting classes, and more provide ample opportunity for socializing. Interacting with others helps prevent feelings of loneliness or isolation that can often accompany the winter season.

Regular fitness exercises—including walking, group and/or chair yoga, stretching, and more—help build strength, improve balance, relieve stress, and increase flexibility and coordination. Staying active can even help you get better, more relaxing sleep. And physical movement gets the blood circulating, which helps increase body heat to keep you warm on those chilly days. Just remember to drink your fluids!

Stay Warm with Southview

Southview Senior Communities are proud to provide cold-weather wellness opportunities and additional winter health tips for seniors across all 14 of our welcoming properties. Our staff is dedicated to delivering comfort and community to help every senior live a healthy and enriching life. Learn more about the Southview location nearest you and schedule your tour today. We would love to welcome you home.