The Great Canadian Winter Wellness Guide

Senior Tips  |  January 14, 2023

In the Great Canadian north, a landscape bejeweled with arctic tundra and polar bears, a winter wellness guide seems like a great thing to write about. Now, although many of us reside a great deal south of this arctic desert, we still lie within its shadow and are therefore no strangers to the cold! As such, here are 8 tips for wellness during the winter months that are simple, beneficial, and often downright fun!

1. Warm the Heart

This one takes me back to my childhood. Every year, when November came round, my mother would switch gears and make us the most spectacular meals. A fan favorite was hot pancakes for breakfast, drenched in pure Canadian maple syrup, coupled with a steaming cup of fresh Ontario apple cider – using giant cinnamon sticks as straws! Another was her Irish stew, which was slow-cooked to perfection while we attended school. We could smell it before we even entered through the door! Admittedly, staying warm is the goal – however, who says it can’t be fun as well as hearty? Get creative, get resourceful, and make this a ritual that involves friends and family!

2. Engage, Talk, Play

It is easy to understand why we feel loneliness during the colder months. But it is hard to live with the effects of not doing something about it. We encourage adults and seniors alike to get up, get socializing, and engage in meaningful fun! Ideas include scheduling a neighbourly card game, board game night with the friends, movie night with the family, and much more. All it takes is a phone call, so do finish reading this article and get going already.

3. Shake Your Body

Staying fit can be a challenge during the colder months. The mere thought of peeking out the door in – 30 C weather keeps us adamantly indoors. Luckily, many exercises can be performed indoors, be that from the comfort of your home or at a studio or gym. A few examples include tai chi, yoga, and dancing! Note, we recommend you speak with your healthcare practitioner before starting or continuing an exercise regime – just to play it safe!

4. Salt and Shovel

When soft and light, shoveling snow can be a workout delight. Yet when heavy and piled, professional help may be implied! Either way, make sure you are keeping up with the shoveling and salting, to reduce the likelihood of a slip and fall for you, your friends and family, and the friendly neighbourhood mail-carrier! Most importantly, the last thing you need is to neglect these activities to one day find yourself snowed into your home!

5. Safeguard the Hearth

At one time, the fireplace was the gathering point of the family. It kept us warm, kept us fed, and helped us see. The fireplace was central to our survival. Nowadays, instead, we have a thermostat, vents, light switches, bulbs, and a number of appliances scattered around. Although not as central, not as cozy, and not as nostalgic, we do have the means to ensure our comfort. Remember to maintain your thermostat at a reasonable temperature to help avoid freezing and bursting of pipes, and to ensure your comfort throughout the day and night. Some people use portable space heaters too, however these can risk electrical fires if used heavily or in lieu of adequate central heating for the home. Make sure these systems are well maintained, inspected regularly, and are set for optimal temperatures and (preferably) set on a schedule based on day and night.

6. Shield With Clothes

Today, we see clothing marketed as a symbol of fashion. I could wager that many of us have forgotten that clothing saw its origins as a symbol of protection; it shielded us from the cold and put up a barrier between us and the sun. Throughout our Canadian winters, we must be vigilant about this lesson. So, when someone knocks at the door, put on a throw and hat before answering. When taking out the garbage, layer up and pop on your snow boots. When heading out, carry spare clothing in case the weather changes or you become wet!

7. Anticipate Murphy’s Law

Storms, malfunctions, human error, and a dozen others things could go wrong at any time. This especially holds true during winter, when we can be impacted severely. It is recommended that every household keeps a winter emergency kit accessible at all times. The Government of Canada has a guide which can help you prepare, located right here. After all, when things go wrong, we have to be able to depend on ourselves insofar as we can. So, why not do so in comfort and style?

8. Keep the Sleep

I know it can be tempting to want to make like a bear and hibernate throughout our harsh winters.  However, it is important that we maintain our usual sleeping schedules – so long as this schedule adheres to the circadian clock.

As discussed, here was the Great Canadian Winter Wellness Guide, a short article talking about some tips to keep well during the winter season. We encourage you and your family caregiver/Comfort Keepers Caregiver to go through this resource then start working on it together. On a parting note, ordinarily I would have told you to go break a leg, however, I do not want to push my luck or yours during a great Canadian winter!

Comfort Keepers Helps

Comfort Keepers senior care of Hamilton, Kitchener, and Waterloo has been helping seniors lead healthy, active, and enjoyable lifestyles for over two decades in North America. We understand the challenges of the golden years, we know what our seniors are capable of achieving, and we offer companionship and care that helps empower seniors to sustain their autonomy, maintain good health, and enjoy their time in retirement.

Our trained caregivers can make your day-to-day life easier and help you make the most of your time, rendering it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. At Comfort Keepers Kitchener and Waterloo senior care, we can help you achieve your tasks so that you can focus on the things that matter. We help our clients find joy by elevating the human spirit.
Call us today for more information on how we can serve your needs.

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