If your symptoms worsen, seek medical assistance early for quicker recovery.

How can I keep well in winter?

Emergency Care

Speak to your Respiratory Nurse, GP or Specialist Respiratory Team about developing a personalised self-management plan for early detection of changes of symptoms and early treatment of infective exacerbations. 

If symptoms worsen dramatically, call 999.

For people with asthma, make sure that your asthma management plan is up-to-date and refer to it to support you with what to do in an emergency.

Staying Warm

Recommended room temperatures are 21 degrees during the day and 18 degrees for your bedroom. Here are some tips:

  • Wear warm nightclothes as body temperature drops during sleep.
  • Close windows at night to reduce the risk of lung infections.

Concerned about heating costs? Learn more about help with heating costs.

Clothing and Food

  • Layer your clothing to trap heat.
  • Keep blankets handy indoors.
  • Consume hot drinks and meals throughout the day.

Outdoor Precautions

Before going out, consider:

  • Checking the weather forecast
  • Wear appropriate warm clothing
  • Carrying rescue medication. For COPD patients it is important to have an up to date rescue pack (antibiotics and steroids) and an in date bronchodilator (Salamol or Ventolin).
  • Wrap up warm when leaving the home, wearing a snood or scarf over your mouth/nose can help to warm the cold air before it hits the lungs, especially for those with respiratory conditions.

Medical Precautions

Protect yourself through:

  • Winter vaccinations
  • Pneumococcal vaccines
  • Avoiding people with respiratory infections, e.g. the flu

Keeping Active

Physical activity is essential for both warmth and well-being.

Mental Health

Winter can significantly affect your mental health through Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), reduced Vitamin D levels, and increased isolation. To help you cope, consider light therapy for SAD and Vitamin D supplements after consulting a healthcare provider. Try to stay socially connected and maintain a regular exercise routine, even if it’s indoors. Keeping a balanced diet and stable sleep schedule can also help regulate mood and energy levels. If symptoms persist, seek professional advice. 

If someone is in a mental health crisis and needs urgent help, they can call their local Crisis Team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 

  • People in North Cumbria can call 0800 6522 865. (Those who are Deaf/hard of hearing can text 0779 565 6226.) 
  • People in South Cumbria can call 0800 953 0110. 

NHS psychological therapies services in Cumbria can provide treatments for a range of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You can refer yourself for support or ask your GP to make a referral for you. 

For more details: 

  • Visit First Step North Cumbria
  • Visit First Step South Cumbria
  • If you need to talk to someone urgently, the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.
  • Mindline Cumbria offers support and guidance about mental health over the phone on 0300 561 0000 or text 'Mind' to 81066. You can also go online and chat to trained professionals.
  • Togetherall is a service offering free online support to anyone aged 16 and over, 24/7 in North Cumbria. It provides online peer-peer support, access to an anonymous community and lots of information, as well as courses and resources covering a range of mental health and wellbeing topics.
  • Kooth is a free online service for young people over 11.
  • Every Life Matters have produced a guide to looking after yourself and others. It contains practical information about things you can do now to look after your mental health and wellbeing, and how you can support others. Call 07908 537541. 
  • There are also self-help guides provided by the Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust covering several topics including depression, domestic abuse, eating disorders or stress. 

Financial Support for Home Oxygen Users

If you use an oxygen machine as part of your home oxygen therapy, Baywater Healthcare currently reimburse electricity costs for oxygen machine usage on behalf of the NHS in accordance with the latest Government guidelines and tariffs. The calculation for all oxygen machine electricity refunds is based on the reading provided on the meter in the oxygen machine.

If you need to update your details for your electricity refunds, you can do it through the Baywater Healthcare website. 

You are also entitled to join the priority services register with your energy supplier which includes:

  • Priority support in an emergency
  • Being informed of planned power cuts