Keeping Well this Autumn
The leaves on the trees are turning beautiful shades of orange and yellow across hospital sites, which means we’re heading into the Health Board's busiest time of year. To help keep yourself and others healthy as the seasons change, here are a few simple steps you can take:
- Get your flu vaccination
- Good and regular handwashing helps stop the spread of viruses
- Take steps to look after your wellbeing, both physical and mental
- If you smoke, now is a great time to quit in order to feel well over the winter months.
Get your flu vaccination
Symptoms of flu can be mild but can also lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia (lung infections), which may need treatment in hospital. In a normal winter, thousands of people will die from flu-related illnesses in the UK. Having a flu vaccine every year is one of the best ways to protect against flu. For information about the flu vaccination program, go here.
Good and regular handwashing helps stop the spread of viruses
Something as simple in your daily routine as good, regular handwashing can make a difference. Preventing the transfer of germs from yourself to your loved ones is one of the easiest ways of stopping the spread of illnesses this winter. The recommended healthcare guidance from Public Health Wales for good handwashing is 30 seconds using soap and water, and the extra time taken can be effective in killing germs and preventing the spread of infection. If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, then please use hand sanitiser.
Take steps to look after your wellbeing, both physical and mental
The most effective action that we can take to help keep ourselves well is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Leading a healthier lifestyle has many benefits. We know that eating well, stopping smoking, staying active and drinking within the recommended guidelines support our overall health and wellbeing and reduces the risk of many health conditions. The Keeping Me Well website contains a range of information and advice that you can use to look after yourself and those around you.
If you smoke, now is a great time to quit in order to feel well over the winter months
Help Me Quit is the national smoking cessation service for Wales. Help Me Quit empowers individuals to take control of their health and break free from the grip of tobacco addiction. Help Me Quit helps thousands of smokers in Wales, every year, to achieve their goal of living smoke-free.