Your healthy winter guide 2024/25

Know your care options and manage common illnesses

Learn how to prevent and treat common illnesses this winter and how to find the right care option when you need it. Also, be sure to follow any public health guidance and protocols related to preventing the spread of communicable disease.

• It is important to choose the right care option to get the help you need. Learn about your care options during the winter months.
  • If you identify as Indigenous and would like support to navigate the health system or access culturally appropriate care, please contact our Indigenous Liaison program.
  • If you identify as Métis, you can access healthcare navigation support by contacting healthservicerequest@mnbc.ca.
• Learn when to treat common childhood illnesses at home and when a doctor’s care may be needed.
• The cold facts on childhood fever. Here's what to look for so you can stay calm and help your child feel better – without rushing to the ER.
• Looking to get your child up to date on routine immunizations? Learn about immunization schedules and where to book an appointment on our Getting Immunized page.
• COVID-19 and the flu. Use all your defences to protect yourself and your loved ones. Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines, wash your hands often and stay home if you’re feeling unwell.

Take care of your mental health during the winter months

The shorter, darker days of winter can get us down. The holidays can also be a difficult time for many people. It’s important to know that you are not alone.

• Dark days can get us down. Staying indoors most of the time can make us feel tired and lower our mood and self-esteem. There are things we can do to help.
  • For Indigenous-specific supports, visit our Indigenous mental health and wellness page.
  • Indigenous mental health nurses can be reached through community mental health offices or through the Indigenous Health Liaison line (toll free) at 1-866-766-6960, available Monday to- Friday from 8:30 a.m. to- 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays.
  • For Mental Health navigation support for Métis individuals, please contact mentalwellnesscoordination@mnbc.ca.
  • For 24/7 Métis Crisis Line call 1-833-Metis-BC (1-833-638-4722)
• Mental health and substance use supports. Fraser Health has a wide variety of programs to help.
• Get help in different languages. Learn about cross-cultural and multilingual mental health and substance use resources.
• Find out where to call if you’re worried about yourself or someone else and need to talk.
• Additional resources:
  • Avoid the holiday blues with these tips from Canadian Mental Health Association.
  • Learn about diagnosis and treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder from HealthLinkBC.
  • Find tips from HealthLinkBC for dealing with depression and the holidays.
  • Watch our video on mental health
    

Snow and cold safety - winterize yourself and your home

It’s important to take proper precautions to stay safe and warm to prevent injuries during the winter months.

• Visit our Winter Seasonal Readiness page to learn how to prepare yourself and your home for the winter season. You will find information on:
  • Emergency preparedness for winter storms and flooding, including preparing your home and getting emergency heating support, if needed.
  • Dressing appropriately (people can get frostbite or hypothermia in our region even when temperatures are above zero).
  • How to safely get around by car or on foot
  • How to prevent injuries when shovelling snow.
• Darker days means both drivers and pedestrians are at increased risk for collisions and injuries. Read these safety tips for drivers and pedestrians.

Staying physically active even when it's cold

There are plenty of creative ways to embrace the chill and stay active this winter season.

• Make the most of the shorter days and colder temperatures. Find fun ideas for festive family activities when the weather is frosty.
• Find quick tips for staying active in cold weather from HealthLinkBC.
• Learn five social activities to do this winter:
  

Winter walking safety

Eating, drinking or using substances during the holidays

Food and alcohol are often present at many celebrations leading up to, and during the holidays. Read the articles below to help you steer clear of diet culture and, if you choose to consume alcohol this season, create a plan to lower your alcohol risk. 

• Navigating diet culture during the holiday season: Tips from our dietitians to help you avoid the diet culture trap. Or watch a quick video from one of our medical health officers on eating and drinking during the holidays.
• Alcohol consumption during the holiday season. Understand how alcohol may be affecting your health and create a plan to drink thoughtfully throughout the holidays and winter months.
  • Overdoses tend to increase during the colder seasons. If you or someone you care about use substances: Please see our substance use services website.
  • We also have resources to support more diverse community members through the South Asian Health Institute.
• For more information on harm reduction please check out BCCDC resources. Learn about the health risks of alcohol and tips for lowering alcohol consumption.

Prevent falls and fall-related injuries with winter

Falls can occur at any time of the year, but winter presents some specific hazards with cold and wet weather and longer periods of darkness. Older adults, especially those who are frail, are at particular risk of falling and having serious injuries as a result of a fall.

• Learn about things you can do to prevent falls including exercises, simple changes you can make to your home, and having your vision checked.
• Visit our Seniors’ Community Connector page to find supports for older adults and their caregivers, including connection to physical and social activities, transportation support and food delivery services.
• Find out three exercises you can do for fall prevention.