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Let’s get prepared

Being prepared can help you look after yourself at home.

Preparing yourself can help to prevent many mild illnesses from becoming worse. There are many things you can do to help be more prepared. Often the key to getting better when you’re not feeling well is looking after yourself at home. Be prepared by having essential treatments around you and knowing how to look after yourself.

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You can get prepared by:

  1. Prepare your home

    A well-stocked medicine box can be essential in helping you to feel better quickly. You can keep a range of medicines a home so things like coughs, colds, aches, pains cuts, bites, stings, grazes, vomiting and diarrhoea, can all be treated by yourself, just by having a well-stocked medicine cabinet.

    Always follow the directions on medicine packets and information leaflets and never exceed the stated dose. Always keep medicines out of sight and reach of children.

    If you are still feeling poorly after a few days speak to your local pharmacist they can help with lots of minor illnesses, and you don’t have to make an appointment.

    Find out more about what to have in your medicine cabinet at the NHS.UK website.

  2. Download The NHS App

    The NHS App a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. You can use it to get health advice using the health A-Z on the NHS website, get advice about COVID-19, order repeat prescriptions, book appointments, find out what to do when you need help urgently, using NHS 111 online and much more.

  3. Get advice

    Visit the self-care forum where you will find factsheets to help you take care of the more common conditions such as: backpain; eczema, heartburn and indigestion and more. They provide useful facts about your condition, what you can expect to happen, how to help yourself, when you should see your GP, and where to find out more information.

  4. Manage your condition

    Digital health apps are great tools to help you manage your health, particularly if you have a long-term health condition. Apps can help you recognise when your condition is getting worse and know what to do. The Humber and North Yorkshire Health Apps Library brings together every smartphone app you could possibly imagine helping you stay fit and healthy, or live your best life if you have a long-term medical condition.

  5. Visit your local pharmacy

    Knowing what to do to treat a minor ailment is something your local pharmacy team can help with. They can provide information and advice on how best to treat a wide range of minor ailments and conditions. Visit NHS.UK to find your local pharmacy.

  6. Be kind to your mind

    There are little things we can all do to help look after our mental health. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.

    Visit Every Mind Matters for help to deal with mental health and wellbeing worries.