What is Spread the Warmth

Keep moving

Try not to sit still for more than one hour at a time. Set yourself small targets to get up and move about every hour. You might not think it, but even a little bit of activity can help you to keep warm, safe and well. Moving about generates heat, strengthens bones and muscles and keeps us mobile.

This can be easier said than done. You might well have found that you're not feeling as fit as you did before the coronavirus pandemic started – if so, you're not alone. Lots of us are finding things we used to do less easy.

Find out more about our physical activity programmes, like tai chi and LIFT (Low Impact Functional Training)

Eat well

Spending more time indoors and doing less of the things we enjoy means it can be difficult to keep up the motivation to prepare meals this makes snacking more likely. Try to keep a bit of a routine when it comes to food. Our appetites vary from day to day. Aim for three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner with plenty of warm drinks and a little bit of what you fancy.

Have you ever noticed, that when you’re hungry you feel cold? That’s because we get energy from food which, our bodies use to help keep us warm. Keep a good supply of your favourite tinned and dry foods, your unperishables – soups, veg, fruit, pasta, rice puddings, just incase you can't get out to the shops – due to illness or bad weather.

Get your winter vaccinations – even if you're fighting fit

This winter, respiratory viruses are expected to be more widespread, as we were less exposed to them during previous winters with the lockdowns. So it's especially important to get your vaccinations this year. A vaccination continues to be the best protection we currently have against flu and covid.

If eligible, you should already have been contacted by your GP surgery and invited to make an appointment for your free flu vaccination. However, this year healthy 50–64-year-olds will not be included in the NHS free vaccination programme, but you can still ask your local chemist for a paid vaccine. There are also vaccines available for pneumococcal and shingles for some people.

Keep your home warm and safe

Contact a registered heating engineer to service your heating system before the onset of winter. It’s also a good idea to contact a chimney sweep to check that vents and chimneys are clean and clear of debris to allow smoke and toxic gases to escape. Check smoke detectors are positioned properly and are working so they will give you an early warning if a fire starts in your home.

Most utility services host a Priority Services Register for vulnerable customers to provide early warnings of disruption to services and to provide specialist advice so ask your supplier how to register for this free service.

Stop the spread of germs

As well as getting vaccinated, there are some other simple measures we can take to reduce the spread of illness – which is especially important this year.

Regularly washing our hands with soap and water is one of the best ways to stop germs spreading. It's a good idea to keep some hand sanitiser alcohol based gel with you when you're out and about, too.

You can also:

• catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue or the fold of your arm
• leave windows ajar to let fresh air circulate during the day or when meeting people indoors
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Wrap up warm

Dressing for the weather can be difficult to judge. Wear layers is the best way to keep warm in winter. If you're heading out, make sure you take some extra layers, hat, scarf, gloves, waterproof coat, even if you don’t need them immediately – the temperature can drop significantly when the sun goes in.

It's a good idea to stock up on cold and sore throat remedies, too. Your pharmacist can give you advice on what might help if you're feeling under the weather.