The colder winter months can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing. Find advice on how to stay healthy and well this winter, including vaccinations and ways to keep warm.
Get vaccinated
The vaccines that will help protect you from flu and coronavirus this winter are now available. NHS Scotland recommends you get your vaccines as soon as they are offered to you.
Winter Vaccines
Keeping warm this winter
It’s important to keep warm in winter, both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems.
Follow these tips to keep warm this winter:
• Heat your home to a temperature that’s comfortable for you. If you can, this should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. This is particularly important if you have a health condition
• If you have visitors, try to ventilate the room for a few minutes before and after the visit to help reduce the spread of germs
• Try to keep the heat in your home by closing windows and curtains at night and consider other ways to reduce home heat loss
• Keep your body, hands and feet warm by wearing warm clothing and make sure you stay dry. Several thin layers of clothing are better than one thick layer
• Keep active at home, try to move around every hour
• Eat at least one hot meal a day
• Have regular hot drinks
• Ensure you have a supply of heating fuel
• If you do need to go out in the cold, snow or ice, wrap up well and wear shoes with a good grip
You can find out more from Age Scotland for information on keeping warm and well in winter.
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service have information available on heating your home safely this winter.
Help with heating costs
If you’re worried about money this winter, you’re not alone. You may be entitled to financial support if you need urgent help covering the cost of food or heating your home.
Cost of living help
The Scottish Government have provided the following information on how you can get support during the cost of living crisis for:
Money and debt problems
Income and benefits
Energy and bills
Children and families
Older or disabled people
Contact your local council if you need urgent help with money, food or fuel.
Common conditions
NHS inform provides accurate and reliable information on common conditions to help you make informed decisions.
We have advice on common symptoms, a range of self-help guides and information on where to go if you need further medical care.
You can access our information on topics such as:
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Flu
Minor head injuries
Preventing falls
Eye problems (self-help guide)
Food poisoning
Muscle, bone and joints
Mental health (self-help guides)
Check your medicines
Make sure you have some over-the-counter remedies for common illnesses to help prepare for winter. Your pharmacist can advise you on the best medicines for you and your family.
Remember to always follow the advice on the pack and do not get too much to avoid medicines going out-of-date and being wasted.
Regularly check that your medicines are in-date and take any unused or out-of-date medicines to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Check your local pharmacy opening times over the holidays.
Medicines for common conditions
To be prepared this winter, check you have:
Paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (check the label or speak to your pharmacist to check it’s suitable for you)
Anti-histamines to help allergies
Anti-diarrhoeals for diarrhoea
Indigestion remedies such as an antacid
Mild laxatives for constipation
A first aid kit which includes plasters, bandages and antiseptic wipes for cuts and scrapes
Medicines specifically for children (your pharmacist can advise on the most suitable ones to keep in the house)