Winter wellness

Floridians know how to handle the summer heat, but things can get tricky when temperatures drop. Experts with Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital shared tips to avoid common winter health hazards.

Keeping kids safe during winter

Samuel Stephenson, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist with Emergency Resources Group who sees patients at Wolfson Children’s Emergency Centers, outlined some tips for keeping children safe and out of the Emergency Room. 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.

“Supervision is the key in preventing many accidents that can occur in your home or while visiting family and friends during this holiday season,” said Dr. Stephenson. “There are usually tons of decorations and new toys – some of which may not be age-appropriate for all the children present – and adults may not know their dangers.”

New electronic devices and children’s toys often require batteries, which need to be stored in a safe place, particularly button batteries. When ingested, button batteries can get stuck in a child’s esophagus and start burning it within minutes to hours, Dr. Stephenson warned. This can cause permanent, serious damage and may even be fatal.

Additionally, many new toys require assembly and have small parts, which can become a choking hazard for small children. Though parents often heed the age-appropriate guidelines and safety warnings on toys they purchase, the issue arises when kids are outside their own home playing with new items. The same goes for decorations and even plants in new environments.

Motorized bicycles and other riding devices have burst onto the scene in recent years. Parents should always watch children while they’re getting adjusted to these products, and ensure all riders wear a properly fitting helmet and other protective gear, as top speeds can be high.

The overall message? Supervision is key.

Winter health tips for adults

Adults also need to take charge of their 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 and after the holidays could lead to atrial fibrillation (Afib), 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.

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, said to prioritize three to five meaningful goals to focus on throughout the year. Start slow, be flexible and envision what steps you need to take to be successful. By setting SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you will increase the likelihood of attaining them.

To help with depression and anxiety in general, you can try to find gratitude in what's 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, writing in a journal, taking a workout class or joining a book club.

“Find a set time for relaxation and leisure,” Seybolt said. “Develop a daily or weekly schedule with designated periods to engage in experiences and activities that boost your mood and improve your mental health.”

Winter wellness building blocks

Catherine Iyoha-Idiong, MD, a family physician with Baptist Primary Care, recommended using winter as an opportunity to take a fresh look at the building blocks of your health – food, water, sleep and movement – and set yourself up for success for the rest of the year.

“Refocus your diet on fresh, colorful vegetables and seasonal fruits to boost your natural immunity and keep the seasonal viruses at bay,” she said. “Also, remember that even though it’s not hot outside, our bodies still need to stay hydrated; carry a refillable bottle with you to make drinking water more convenient. Stock up on soups and herbal teas for cold nights.”

Dr. Iyoha-Idiong provided a few additional recommendations:

• Reset your sleep rhythm. Even though humans don’t hibernate, the winter weather can slow us down. Many people find they need more sleep this time of the year. Dr. Iyoha-Idiong suggested making intentional plans to improve your sleep hygiene: Start a winding down routine for both adults and children, stick to a consistent bedtime, make your bedroom a haven for rest and put the phones away.
• Keep moving. There’s nothing like fresh air and movement to boost your mood and metabolism. Try a brisk walk in the morning when weather permits, just remember to dress in layers to keep warm. For the days when it’s just too cold, there are tons of indoor exercise routines online that will get your blood flowing and keep your joints limber. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity movement five days a week.