Beast from the East 2: Be Prepared for More Cold Weather

Very cold weather can affect anyone – however, certain people are more vulnerable than others.

• you’re 65 or older
• you cannot afford heating
• you have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease
• you’re disabled
• you’re pregnant
• you have young children (newborn to school age)
• you have a mental health condition

Keeping your home warm can be key to remaining fit and healthy.

• If you’re not very mobile, are 65 or over, or have a health condition (such as heart or lung disease), heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F)
• Keep your bedroom at 18°C all night if you can, and keep the bedroom window closed
• During the day, you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer than 18°C
• If you’re under 65, healthy and active, you can safely have your home cooler than 18°C if you’re comfortable
• Draw your curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
• Get your heating system checked regularly by a qualified professional

More top tips for coping with the ‘Beast from the East 2’:

• Make sure you wear sensible, correctly-fitted shoes. With the ground covered in snow and ice, it is easy to slip and hurt yourself. ScolioGold patients all know how important it is to keep up your exercises to maintain your corrected posture.
• Be sure to stock up your cupboards and make sure you are eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Staying healthy in the cold weather will mean you are able to exercise and prevent pain and progression caused by your scoliosis.
• Making sure you stay warm is very important as there has been significant evidence to suggest that cold weather can cause an increase in back pain. An increase in back pain can significantly reduce quality of life and can often result in a downward spiral of events.