Winter has arrived. Finally, we can cuddle around the fire and build snowmen for our neighbors to envy. As joyful as the season is, some headaches accompany the calendar shift, as well. For example, there’s nothing worse than cleaning off your car in the morning.

Traffic also gets especially bad during the wintertime. While these are all common issues, people with bladder problems experience more headaches than most. If you have urinary problems, read about these tips for managing incontinence this winter. You don’t have to suffer in silence because there are resources to help you.

The Hassles of the Common Cold

Everyone’s on high-alert this winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, since people are being more health conscious, there will be fewer cases of the common cold this year. Still, you should always be prepared for extra sneezes in the wintertime. If you do get a cold, make sure you always have adult protective products by your side. Excess sneezing and coughing puts you at a higher risk of leakage, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here are a few things you should have with you on your winter trips:

TotalDry maximum pads. We have super absorbent and discreet pads for those prone to sneezing and coughing attacks during the winter.
Our team also sells reusable underwear in case the urine does go through your undergarments. Again, these products are discreet, so no one will know you’re wearing them.
It’d be wise to carry an additional outfit with you in case of an emergency. There’s no shame in being overly cautious.

Stay Hydrated

You may believe it’s unwise to fill your bladder if you have incontinence problems, but this isn’t necessarily true. The reality is that dehydration can put additional stress on your urinary tract, which may cause your symptoms to worsen. As a result, you should stay as hydrated as possible so that you don’t irritate your bladder.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should chug a bottle of water before you head out to run errands. Unfortunately, those who experience bladder problems have to plan their days more than the Average Joe. Perhaps drink a few glasses of water as soon as you wake up so that you have some time to empty your bladder at home. Of course, don’t forget to bring resourceful adult protection products with you in case an uncontrollable situation occurs.

The Right Diet Is Key

This year has been more stressful than anyone could’ve imagined. Consequently, a lot of people have put on a few extra pandemic-related pounds. It’s incredibly easy to reach for a donut while binging your favorite Netflix show. As tempting as it is to indulge, you must resist temptation if you have bladder problems.

First, weight gain of any kind will add unnecessary stress to your urinary tract. This means you may have the urge to go more frequently and may not make it to the restroom in time. So, try your hardest to watch what you eat this holiday season—your bladder will thank you for it. You should also know that there are common foods and drinks that people with incontinence issues should avoid. Check out this list below so that you know what not to include on your grocery list:

Alcohol mixes up the signals between the bladder and the brain. For this reason, consider only having a few holiday cocktails this season.

Caffeinated products like coffee and chocolate aren’t suitable for people with bladder complications. Caffeine irritates the bladder, meaning you may have to use the restroom more often than usual.

Citrus-inspired food and drinks also cause headaches for those with incontinence because the sweet chemicals can irritate the urinary tract. Instead, stick to drinking water or hot tea so that no accidents occur.

Stick To An Exercise Routine

Sadly, focusing on your diet isn’t enough to keep bladder issues at bay. In addition, you must stick to a regular exercise routine this winter. Remember, those with incontinence problems shouldn’t lift heavy weights. Instead, you should focus on low-impact workouts that won’t strain your urinary tract. Think about buying a resistance band that you can tie to different areas of your home as a way to burn calories. Of course, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of Kegel exercises, either. Kegel exercises will strengthen your pelvic muscles so that you don’t have to run to the bathroom as much.

Stay Bundled Up

The final tip for managing incontinence this winter is to stay bundled up. No one likes it when the cold air hits their face. Yet, this incident is incredibly problematic for people with bladder issues. The cold air might make it more difficult for you to contract your bladder muscles when you need it the most. So, stay as bundled as you can so that you don’t have to focus on contracting the muscles as much. Also, you can spend more time outside with a few extra layers on.

Whether you love it or hate it, winter is here to stay. If you have problems with your bladder, that doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself inside all season long. On the contrary, you just have to prepare a little more before you run essential errands. TotalDry is the perfect place to start building your winterized incontinence kit.

It's no secret that cold weather can cause discomfort, but one of the many issues it can bring is an overactive bladder. As temperatures drop, nerves in your body can cause your bladder muscles to contract at a more intense rate and make you feel like you have to go more often, and even experience urinary incontinence or frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom (nocturia). While this might be an inconvenience for some, it's important to know that these symptoms should not be ignored – talk with a doctor about different ways of how you can better manage your condition.

Our team has so many products that allow people to continue with their everyday lives. TotalDry’s primary goal is to empower each one of our customers. We want to show you that incontinence is just one part of who you are, not the entirety. That’s why we’re so dedicated to creating discreet items that provide protection without being overly obvious. TotalDry’s team also understands that incontinence issues may be heightened when the temperatures drop. That’s why we encourage individuals and caretakers to take these tips seriously. There’s no reason that people with bladder problems can’t enjoy one of the prettiest seasons of all; they just have to be extra careful while doing so. With a little extra effort and some help from TotalDry, it can be a happy holiday season.