Your Health This Winter
Make healthy eating choices over the holidays, keep active and stay safe when it’s cold outside, and learn what you can do to stay healthy during flu season.
Make healthy eating choices over the holidays, keep active and stay safe when it’s cold outside, and learn what you can do to stay healthy during flu season.
With cooler temperatures, shorter days and the flu and cold season, winter may bring changes to our health. Many of us may find it hard to get enough physical activity. The snow and ice can create hazards that can make walking, playing and working outdoors difficult. Many of us will come down with the flu or catch a cold. Throughout the winter, it is important that we continue to stay active, eat healthy, and take care of our families and ourselves.
Learn about staying healthy and safe this season.
PreparedBC is British Columbia's one-stop shop for disaster readiness information. For tips on seasonal readiness, how to prepare an emergency plan and what to include in an emergency kit, visit PreparedBC Public emergency preparation and recovery.
Emergency shelters provide a temporary place to sleep, eat and wash for anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness. Some shelters may offer additional services such as meals, secure areas for belongings and a resource room with computers, phone or TV. Access to medical support, support staff and individualized help from a caseworker may be available. Find emergency shelter information and resources, including extreme weather shelters here:
Colds and flu, and some conditions and illnesses are more common or are worse during the winter months. To learn more about some of these common conditions, visit Common Illnesses and Injuries During Winter.
Throughout the winter, temperatures will drop and it may be very cold outside. Learn about cold exposure and the steps you can take to protect yourself and your family:
Healthy eating and physical activity promotes and supports social, physical, and mental well-being for everyone, at all ages and stages of life. For advice on what you can to live a healthy lifestyle, visit the Healthy Living During Winter page.
The Emergency Room (ER) in hospitals can be very busy, know when to go by further reading this page: When to Visit the Emergency Room.
With COVID-19 still a concern across the province, here are some things you can consider to help make celebrations safer for everyone.
For tips to keep you fit, healthy and happy over winter, visit Your healthy winter guide.
For ways to prevent falls this winter, see Fall Prevention Tips.
For ways to choose the right place for care, see Holiday Care.
ImmunizeBC works to improve the health of British Columbians and reduce the number of infections by vaccine-preventable diseases. They provide information on immunizations to individuals, families and health care providers. They also provide tools to make it easier for B.C. families to get immunized:
Last Reviewed: December 2021