Anyone else nervous about the upcoming cold weather?

[Riverlee]

This might sound silly but the upcoming freezing weather is making me nervous. I don’t mind is the weather is above freezing, as then generally life can carry on as normal.

However, if it’s below freezing, the paths are slippery and I’ll struggle to take the dog out. I’ve always hated walking on icy paths, and have never been comfortable on them.

Also, snow is forecast. I don’t made light snowy showers and a small amount of snow is quite pretty. However, when it’s start getting difficult to drive, then I don’t like it. The ice that occurs afterwards is even worse.

Probably not helpful but I’m checking the forecast several times of day, hoping that the arctic plume will miss where I live, and am counting the days until the weather warms up.

Not nervous, just prepared, much as I prefer it to be without frost, ice and snow.

Is there anything you can do to reduce any need to drive should ice come?

I love it when it’s cold and frosty, sorry OP.
Can you take the dog out later in the day when any ice has melted?

I'm only really nervous about what my smart meter might tell me.

Not nervous- but you have just reminded me to turn my heating right down so the gas will last till payday if it gets very cold !

I'd look into getting either a pair of boots with good grippy soles, or those things you attach to your shoes, a bit like crampons. At least then you'll feel more confident walking the dog? Is it possible to work from home rather than driving to work? If not look into snow chains for tyres, make sure your car is well topped up with oil, windscreen wash, put a shovel and blanket, emergency provisions in the boot... You probably won't have any problems that severe but at least you're prepared.

It makes more sense to look at concrete action you can take to deal with a potential situation, rather than just getting anxious about it. Easier said than done, but worrying is genuinely a waste of your time, it achieves nothing but focuses on stressful feelings. You don't need that in your life.

Sorry I don't mean to sound patronising but aware this could. Please take with the spirit of kindness it is intended.

Do you have any health/physical reasons to be worried about slipping and falling?

If not then do you often catastrophise with worse case scenarios especially things outwith your control?

Depending which if the two above you fall into will change the advise people will give you.

You can buy “slot over” ice and snow grips for the bottom of your shoes. Yaktraks or similar. Can get on Amazon if you don’t want to go out.

If you can, get some appropriate footwear.

take action. Worrying gets you absolutely nowhere

Don't put snow chains on your car unless there is a consistent thick covering of snow on the road! Winter tyres are much more suitable for the UK, if you need them.

Op do you have snow boots? I used to find the pavements slippy when walking the DC to school. At that point I invested in snow boots (proper ones not fashion ones). They have such a better grip on snow and ice then other shoes. Good investment if you have to walk your dog or children everyday.

Get yourself some proper snow boots like Sorrel. I used to be like Bambi when there was so much as a sniff of ice, but I'm so much steadier and more confident in my Sorrel boots.

I have a mild disability and am a bit unsteady on my feet sometimes. I don’t like slippy ice on the pavement but I wear some good snow boats and use a stick if necessary (even though it’s difficult for my vanity!). So no, I’m not worried.

As previous posters have said, I would highly recommend YakTraks. They go over your shoes and are absolutely amazing for walking on ice, I have had mine for years and they give me so much confidence walking on ice. You can get them from Amazon.

OP is it normal for you to be anxious about things which don’t make most people anxious? If this is general anxiety speaking, the answer is different to this being a genuine thing which has got you more worried than normal.

If genuine worries - think about getting snow boots. Decathlon do good ones very reasonably priced. You’re so much less likely to fall if wearing the right shoes. And stock the cupboards up a little more than usual - a few tins of soup and long life milk could help you avoid extra shopping trips for a few days.

I always like to have the car prepped for bad weather. A few bits in the boot in case we get stuck - blanket, bottle of water, snacks. And I don’t let the fuel get low.

I understand. I bought those yaktrak things once but found they made it even worse for trying to walk on ice and took me much longer to walk to work in them so they ended up in the bin. I’ve looked at Sorrel boot but I can’t see how the sole is much better than other boots for walking on icy footpaths.

Well it's only going to be - 3 here and a small possibility of snow. And I love cold frosty days.

Can you take your dog in the woods or on the fields if you live near enough or can drive?

My dogs love the animal scents when it's cold, they pick them up really easily which is really stimulating on a walk . And I love spotting the fox tracks as you can see their footprints in the snow.

I love a bright sunny winter day but ice and snow really does worry me
I have CP and balance is terrible normally so I end up feeling trapped( I don't work)

@TheNoodlesIncident Really appreciative your practical suggestions. Ironically, always make sure that dh and dc have ‘emergency bags’ containing hats, gloves, water, mars bars etc, but don’t tend to have them myself as I go much shorter distances. Will put wellies and other stuff in car!

@OhBeAFineGuyKissMe No major health issue, although I don’t really want to fall over and hurt myself. I guess I’m more ‘worst case scenario’. Basically bad snow and ice prevent life carrying on as usual. - doctors, ambulances etc can’t get to hospital etc,

snow boots - I’m sure I’ve got some somewhere , probably in the loft! Not much use there. Will look up Sorrel @Zippedydoodahday

@NewYearNewCalendar snow and ice is something that I get anxious about every year. Not when it’s light showers and melts quickly. Only when it hangs around and freezes.

@uncomfortablydumb53 i know exactly what you mean about feeling trapped.

I like those winter days which are cold with bright blue skies, a winter walk in these conditions are lovely.

Thank you for everyone who replied (although didn’t get a chance to read the deleted ones).