8 Ways To Keep Your Body Healthy In Minneapolis This Winter

This is not medical advice.

Winters in Minnesota can be harsh, but they don’t have to be miserable. From staying active to getting your flu shot, there are dozens of ways to stay healthy — even during the peak months of cold and flu season.

If you do happen to get sick, GoodRx offers professional, affordable online health care services, as well as savings on prescription drugs you may be prescribed in the process.

So whether you’re stuck in traffic on Lake Street or thinking about your next brunch on Eat Street, take care of yourself with the following tips to stay healthy while enjoying wintertime in the Twin Cities.

1. Get Your Flu Shot

Getting a flu shot can keep you safe, healthy and happy through the winter. Flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms are similar, so receiving vaccinations for both not only limits the chance you’ll contract one of the illnesses but also ensures symptoms are less severe if you do. If you need to get your flu shot and it isn’t covered by your insurance, GoodRx offers a flu vaccine finder that can help you find one. The GoodRx Flu Vaccine Program has partnered with leading U.S. pharmacy chains including Walgreens, Safeway and more to make the flu vaccine accessible to more people at a lower cost.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 53 percent of Minnesotans received a flu vaccine in the 2019-20 season. As for the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine, 74 percent of Minnesotans over the age of 16 are vaccinated, according to state government data.

Avoid the coughs, chills, aches and more that the flu can bring, and get your flu shot early to enjoy all that Minneapolis has to offer in the winter.

2. Be Aware Of Icy Weather

Minneapolis winters are notoriously cold and snowy, so it’s important to remind yourself of the dangers of snowy and icy weather, and how to stay safe during it.

When driving, watch for black ice. If you do happen to hit black ice, don’t break hard or oversteer — you’ll lose more traction that way. Instead, the USDA Forest Service advises taking your foot off the gas, putting on your hazard lights, and coming to a stop at a safe place. Buying new tires or upgrading to better winter-equipped ones can limit the chance of losing control when you do encounter ice on the road.

Winter storms with ice can down power for days, so be sure you have an emergency bag in your home with candles, food, blankets and more. You should also salt your driveway and walkways to avoid potentially serious falls or slips.

3. Wash Your Hands Often

According to the CDC, many illnesses and diseases are spread through people not washing their hands well. Wet your hands, lather and scrub for 15 to 30 seconds, and then rinse to remove as many germs and microbes as you can. It’s important to wash your hands well to stop the spread of sickness within your family and community.

If you do end up getting sick, you can meet with a doctor online via GoodRx Care. If you are prescribed medication during your visit, make sure to check GoodRx to compare prices available at pharmacies in your area. Even if you have insurance, it is worthwhile to check GoodRx as they can sometimes beat insurance copays.

4. Moisturize

Ever wonder why your lips and hands get dry and cracked more in the winter than in any other season?

During the winter, humidity plunges both inside and outside — meaning your skin is getting parched from the moisture it desperately needs. A person’s “skin barrier” (which is made from lipids, proteins and oils) also plays a role in how quickly skin dries out. With a weak barrier, a person is more prone to sensitive skin issues such as eczema, itching and quickly-chapped hands during the winter, says Web MD.

Even though skin is “thirsty,” drinking more water isn’t the answer. Instead, the best solution for dry hands and cracked lips is moisturizing the skin every few hours for round-the-clock protection. Keep in mind that not all moisturizers are created equal; grease-based ointments such as Vaseline and Aquaphor are significantly more effective at treating painfully dry skin than water-based lotions. For more severe cases, topical steroids may be the best course of action; however, these should not be used for more than three weeks without advising your doctor.

5. Increase Your Vitamin Intake

Your body absorbs vitamins from the environment, and sometimes there’s a lack of those vitamins in the winter. With shorter days and temperatures too cold to spend a lot of time outside, our bodies get significantly less vitamin D during winter months.

Vitamin D supplements are a great way to get the recommended daily amount of 600 international units (IUs) for adults up to age 70; foods that include vitamin D (such as fish and mushrooms) usually don’t have enough to make a difference. Vitamin D supplements are available as vitamin D2, naturally found in plant-based sources, and vitamin D3, typically found in animal sources.

Vitamin C is another great vitamin to take during the winter months to reduce the severity of colds. Cranberries, citrus fruits, leafy greens and bell peppers also provide vitamin C, in case you’re not interested in taking a supplement.

According to SCL Health, it’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough iron and vitamins B and E during the winter months.

6. Exercise Safely

It can often be unsafe to exercise outside in the winter because of the cold Minneapolis temperatures. Apart from shoveling snow, it’s a smart idea to do physical activity indoors, whether through at-home workouts or a gym membership at a fitness center nearby.

While still practicing safety measures to limit the spread of germs, gyms are a great place to find a variety of exercise abilities. From swimming to Zumba, to free weights and machines, working out at a gym provides a safe and healthy way to stay active during the winter.

Many pet owners enjoy walking their dogs as a source of physical exercise for both them and their pups, but you may wish to hold off on long, daily walks until temperatures warm up — for your own health and your dog’s.

7. Dress Warmly

U.S. Climate Data puts Minneapolis’ average high temperatures in the winter at under 30 degrees, so dressing warmly is an absolute must for Twin Cities winters.

It’s a good idea to look at the weather forecast every morning, or even a few days in advance. Look for significant temperature drops and make sure to dress accordingly with sweaters, jackets, thick socks and more. After all, hypothermia can set in quickly if you’re not dressed appropriately enough to keep your body temperature high enough.

If you know you’ll be outside in cold temperatures for longer than 10 minutes, take a second before you leave home to ensure you’re adequately prepared to face the cold. Bring mittens, gloves, scarves or hats to protect your extremities from plunging temperatures or additional precipitation, too.

8. Use GoodRx To Schedule Doctor’s Visits And Save Money On Prescriptions

Though there are plenty of preventative steps to take to protect your health, it is still possible to get sick, especially during cold and flu season. If you do get sick and need treatment, it’s important to see a health care provider who can provide a diagnosis and appropriate treatment, so you can get back to enjoying your winter in Minneapolis.

When you sign up for GoodRx Care, you can schedule convenient telehealth appointments for common winter ailments such as the flu. Should you need a prescription for medication to make you feel better, GoodRx can also help you save up to 80 percent off of regular medication prices. Simply visit GoodRx.com and enter the name of the prescription you need, scan for the best deals in your area, and print out your free coupon or discount to show to your local pharmacist.

Wishing you a safe and warm winter season!

Download the GoodRx app or use its drug search tool on GoodRx.com to find the lowest price for your prescriptions today!