You Can Take Care And Be A #WinterHero this Self Care Week

Health teams have got together with Live Well Essex to create a set of messages to help us help you this winter.

Self Care Week, which runs from 18 November to 24 November provides messages about how people can stay well, including recognising early triggers and symptoms of illness and taking action to prevent them getting worse.

Teresa Kearney, Chief Nurse at Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said:

“From covering your nose and mouth when it’s cold, if you have COPD and Asthma, to getting your flu vaccine, to asking your pharmacist for advice at the first sign of a cold or upset stomach, we can prevent unnecessary exacerbations of long-term conditions and visits to the GP Practice.

“We are asking people to #BeAWinterHero and do things to help themselves and people in their community. Essentially choose self-care for minor ailments and know where to get advice if you are worried about you or someone in your community.”

The strapline for this year’s Self Care Week is ‘Think Self Care For Life’ all about making improvements in your life to protect your physical health and mental wellbeing.   

Clinical Commissioning Groups are promoting all the ways you can self care including:

• Keeping a medicine cabinet with essentials like, remedies for upset stomachs, rehydration powders, paracetamol and ibuprofen and cold and flu remedies to see you through any ailments.
• Know how to prevent triggers for feeling unwell in the cold – like wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth to prevent cold air from hitting the lungs.
• Getting your free flu jab if you are under 65 and living with a long term condition, over 65, a carer, have children under 10.
• Making your pharmacist the first port of call if you feel unwell and want advice.
• Eat well and live well, taking regular exercise and getting plenty of rest.
• Keeping an eye on more vulnerable members in the community and helping them get the right care if they seem cold or unwell or even just popping in for chat to prevent loneliness.