Winter wellness

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the end of a tumultuous 2020, people around the world set their sights on a happier, healthier 2021. The first step? Weathering winter.

Our Baptist Health experts offered advice for keeping children and adults safe through Spring.

Look out for little ones.

Daniel Thimann, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, outlined some tips for keeping children safe and out of the Emergency Department. Child safety and injury prevention is an important priority for Wolfson Children's and THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children's Hospital.

“My most important reminder to parents is to let kids be kids, but pay attention to what they are doing,” Dr. Thimann said. “There’s a lot going on this time of year, so it’s easy to get distracted. Fireworks are common, so please keep your kids at a safe distance. Most of the injuries we see in the Emergency Department can be prevented by having a child wear his or her seatbelt in the car and helmet while riding a bike. Parents should use safe sleep practices when putting babies to bed (baby on his or her back, no pillows or blankets in the crib).”

Dr. Thimann warned adult supervision is especially critical when kids are swimming. On the playground, injuries may result from falls off monkey bars or jungle gyms. If you have a trampoline, Dr. Thimann says to be careful and only allow one jumper at a time. Parents can also consider placing a net around the trampoline.

Guard your heart.

Adults also need to take charge of their own health this time of year so they can better care for others. George Le-Bert, DO, a noninvasive cardiologist with Baptist Heart Specialists, said increased alcohol consumption during the holidays could lead to atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can lead to stroke, blood clots or heart failure. Dr. Le-Bert said monitoring your diet and avoiding overconsumption of food and alcohol is crucial.

Monitor your mental health.

During the winter, people may experience depression, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or post-holiday blues, according to experts with expressive therapies at Baptist Behavioral Health. As people try to reach their goals and resolutions, they may also experience anxiety.

Kristi Seybolt, MS, LMHC, manager of Inpatient Social Services for Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, says to prioritize three to five meaningful goals to focus on throughout the year. By setting SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you will increase the likelihood of attaining your goals.

To help with depression and anxiety in general, you can try to find gratitude in what is happening in your life now, and shift your mindset to the present, Seybolt said. Focus on finding creative or social outlets that help you unwind like creating art, listening to music, taking a workout class or joining a book club.

“Find a set time for creativity and leisure,” Seybolt said. “Develop a daily or weekly schedule with a designated time and try to stick to it.”

Protect your overall health.

Eating right, meditating and exercising can also help improve your health during the winter months, according to Marylin James, DO, a family physician with Baptist Primary Care.

“Eat what’s in season,” Dr. James said. “It’s always important to stay in sync with nature if you wish to maintain balance and stability within your body."

Dr. James recommends eating soups regularly and with lots of herbs and other superfood ingredients like ginger, turmeric, and garlic. These ingredients help soothe conditions where you develop excessive phlegm, including bronchitis, sinusitis and common colds.

Getting moving, even when it’s a little cooler outside than Floridians are accustomed to, is also important. Dr. James recommends at least 20 minutes of exercise every day.

If your child experiences an injury, Wolfson Children’s Hospital is here for you around the clock. Visit wolfsonchildrens.com/emergency for a list of Emergency Center locations staffed by pediatric emergency medicine specialists. For more guidelines on child safety at all ages, check out wolfsonchildrens.com/safekids. If you experience an injury, Baptist Health has 10 Emergency Centers where you can get the help you need.