Looking after your health in winter
Cold weather can be bad for our health, especially for people aged 65 and older. As we age, it takes longer to warm up, which raises the risk of increased blood pressure, heart pressure and strokes.
For more information about how to stay warm and well in winter, visit Age UK's website, call 0800 587 0668 or visit the NHS website.
Other useful links:
- how cold weather affects your health
- six things you should do for your health and home this winter
- keeping your home warm in winter
- make sure you're receiving all the help that you're entitled to this winter
Winter vaccinations
Vaccinations are safe and effective at protecting people from infectious diseases. Some people are more at risk of becoming seriously ill from infectious diseases than others.
To find out more about how seasonal winter vaccinations such as Covid 19, flu and pneumococcal vaccinations can help you stay well this winter, visit the NHS website.
NHS services
The NHS is here to support you and you should still seek help if you need support with your mental or physical health.
Please choose wisely and use the most appropriate services for your needs:
- If you're not sure where to get help, visit the NHS website or call 111 for 24-hour support
- pharmacy - trained professionals can provide advice and guidance for many common conditions
- GP - for ongoing or persistent medical issues
- urgent treatment centres - can help with urgent but not life-threatening issues
- Accident and emergency (A&E) - for life threatening and serious emergencies only
Other useful links:
Mental health and wellbeing
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:
North Cumbria: 0800 6522 865 (those who are deaf and or hard of hearing can text 0779 565 6226)
South Cumbria: 0800 953 0110
If you need to talk to someone urgently, the Samaritans are available 24/7
Telephone: 116 123
Therapy services
NHS psychological therapies services in Cumbria can help with common mental health problems, including:
- depression
- anxiety disorders
- panic attacks
- post‑traumatic stress disorder
You can refer yourself for support, or you can ask your GP to refer you.
For more details visit the following website:
Non-emergency mental health support
Mindline Cumbria offers support over the phone. You can also go online and chat to trained professionals.
Telephone: 0300 561 0000 or text 'Mind' to 81066
Lighthouse offers crisis support for people in Carlisle and Eden (appointments only)
Telephone: 0300 561 0000 (available 5pm to 11pm)
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 aged 11 and over.
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.
Useful links:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) NHS - how to spot the warning signs of winter depression and tips to beat it