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Newsletter Archive - Winter 2005/6

  
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Winter Warmers!

When it's cold in the Winter months we need to think about keeping warm as there's no doubt that chill winds and cold days can affect all those of us with pain. PainSupport member Diane wrote to us with her Seasonal Suggestions for keeping warm.

 
 

flower cartoon keeping warm Seasonal Suggestions
by Diane P

Keeping warm through the Autumn and Winter is a must for everyone – but if you have chronic pain or any kind of disability or long-term illness, then it is really important you try to keep as warm and as well as possible through these months. Here are a few ideas that I've found helpful.
Diane

  1. Forget carrying heavy bags in the cold and wet! With home-delivery, telephone ordering and the Internet you can now do the bulk of your shopping in the warmth and comfort of your own home. You can do your Christmas shopping this way too.


  2. Don't forget those old favourites - electric blankets, heat pads and hot-water-bottles. And remember that if you do use an electric blanket never use a hot-water-bottle at the same time! An alternative is to use an aromatic wheat bag – warmed in the microwave it is excellent for sore joints and muscles, and smells wonderful too!


  3. Warm water tips - relax in a warm bath and add Epsom salts and/or essential oils, especially warming ones like ginger and cinnamon. Also soak your hands and wrists in warm water a few times a day, it will help to keep you warm.


  4. Supplements - garlic is said to give protection from winter infections. If you find the taste unpleasant try a garlic supplement instead. Echinacea is also said to give a flagging immune system a much-needed boost during the winter months.


    5. girl wearing scarf, hat and gloves
  5. Keep moving! When it's cold, it's more important than ever to keep moving. We sometimes don't realise just how cold we are getting if we are just sitting still. So keep moving and take plenty of exercise, according to your ability.


  6. One final point – over 30% of our body heat is lost through our head, hands and feet. The cold tends to aggravate pain so when you do go out make sure you wrap up warm. A hat, gloves and scarf will make a big difference. If it's frosty outside, take extra care or, safer still, wait until the paths aren't so slippery before you venture out.




 
 

 
   
 

And here's a real Winter Warmer!

Zinziber! There's a zip to the word and it sounds exotic and exciting, doesn't it! You probably know it best as ginger, although it's real name is zinziber officinale.

 
 



ginger root As well as adding a warm, interesting flavour to your cookery, fresh ginger has numerous health benefits that you won't find so readily in dried ginger. Fresh ginger is available by mail order and from supermarkets.
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk - fresh ginger

Ginger is warming and is good for circulation and digestion, it has anti-inflammatory properties and so can be helpful for those with painful joints. Grate a teaspoon into a cup of hot water and let it infuse before drinking it.

Ginger has also been known to relieve menstrual cramps and nausea in pregnancy and travelling. Research in Japan has suggested that ginger blocks the body's reflex to be sick; taking a small amount 20 minutes before a car journey should provide protection from sickness for up to four hours.

ginger grater The main active ingredient in ginger is a compound called gingerol, which helps to relax blood vessels and stimulate blood flow. Some migraine sufferers find that taking a third of a teaspoonful of fresh ginger at the first sign of an attack can stop the migraine from coming on.

Another indispensible item is a proper ginger grater. Metal graters are full of holes for the ginger fibres to get mangled up in, whereas porcelain ginger graters have raised cutting points to efficiently break up the ginger root into tiny pieces.
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk - ginger grater



 
 

 
  toolkit If you like these tips, add them to your kit of pain control skills. If you haven't already got one, why not start a 'tool kit' of pain relief skills today? To remind yourself of them, collect the ideas in a small notebook that you can carry around with you.



You may print the above Articles and any items under FeelGood Factors or Hot News for your own private use but if you wish to use all or part of them for any other reason, please ask first. Copyright belongs to Jan Sadler.



 
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Page last updated : 1st November 2005