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Winter health

Whatever your health worry, we're here all winter

NHS Direct's online services are available around-the-clock, 365 days a year to help you keep well all winter. Best of all, it's never been easier to access our trusted health advice on the web or on your mobile phone.

Instant winter health advice online

Whatever your health problem, our interactive online symptom checkers are the fast and easy way to get expert advice on how to look after yourself. Check your winter symptoms now.

Try our free mobile app

If you prefer your health advice on the move, download our free mobile app for iPhone or Android. You'll get all the trusted, expert health advice you would expect from NHS Direct, straight to your smartphone handset. Learn more.

Tips for keeping well all winter

• Stay warm - wrap up well, inside and out. Wearing several thin layers will do a better job of keeping you warm than one thick layer. More ways to keep warm and well.
• Eat well – it’s important to have regular, nutritious hot meals and drinks when it’s cold outside. Don’t forget your five-a-day, as fruit and vegetables are vital to your winter wellbeing. Find out more about healthy eating.
• Keep active - regular exercise helps keep you warm, can improve your energy levels and can boost your mood. Don’t let the cold weather hold you back, think about exercise that you can do indoors, such as dancing and swimming. More information about exercise.
• Beat the winter blues – Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) affects people during the winter months, and it’s common to feel in low spirits when the days are shorter. Get tips on beating the winter blues.
• Be careful on snow and ice – if you have to clear paths and steps yourself, always use grit, sand or salt to melt ice, not water (which can freeze again into very slippery black ice). More information about clearing ice and snow.
• Find out about the flu vaccine – seasonal flu can be a serious illness for some people, but the risk can be minimised by having the flu vaccine. Find out more about flu and the flu vaccine.
• Look out for others - remember to look out for vulnerable neighbours and friends at this time of year, especially if the weather gets very bad. Read more about how to cope in very cold weather.

Out-of-hours and bank holiday advice

With the festive season approaching fast, it's good to know where to go for help should you become unwell outside normal working hours or over a bank holiday. Find out more about out-of-hours healthcare services.