The One Misstep That Could Change Your Life
You're heading out for a quick winter walk. The air is crisp. The sidewalk looks clear.
Then your foot hits a patch of invisible ice.
The shock hits as in an instant, you're airborne. No time to brace yourself either – just a hard, jarring fall followed by pain, embarrassment, and then the frightening thought:
What if I can't get up?
A single misstep can change everything, especially for older Americans...
Falls are already the leading cause of injuries – fatal and nonfatal – in older Americans: 1 in 4 folks aged 65 and older suffer a fall each year.
As we age, our bodies change in ways that raise the risk of taking a tumble. Reflexes slow, muscle strength and ability to balance decline, joints stiffen, and vision wanes.
Add winter into the equation, and the odds are further stacked against you.
So if you plan on stepping out in the ice and snow, you'll need to keep these tips in mind...
Five Tips to Walk Safely This Winter
Footwear matters. You'll want well-fitting, low-heeled boots with a nonslip sole. Need more traction on those slippery sidewalks? Just like snow chains on tires, consider the same for your shoes... slap on some ice cleats or ice grips.
Sure, they might look odd, and some folks might think it's overkill. But considering that the annual average cost per hospital stay from a fall is nearly $20,000, I'd say it's money well spent. For folks with canes, I recommend buying a metal spike tip that clamps onto the bottom.
Summon your inner penguin. Footwear aside, the way you walk matters, too, on ice. For crossing slippery terrain, walk like a bird...
- Keep your knees loose.
- Lean slightly forward.
- Take short, small steps.
- Stick your wings – I mean, arms – out for better balance.
- And most importantly, go slow.
Don't be invisible. Winter doesn't just bring ice – it brings darkness. Shorter days and frequent snowfall can render pedestrians nearly invisible. So make sure to wear something that has a reflective surface. I also wear something bright during the day if I'm out for my walk and it's snowing.
Watch out for hypothermia. Hypothermia happens when your body temperature dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Your blood vessels constrict, which means less oxygen to your ticker and increased potential for a heart attack. Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, clumsiness, drowsiness, and memory problems are key signs to look for.
Have help a phone call – or arm's length – away. Walk with your partner or a friend for safety. And make sure to have your charged phone on you... But consider sticking it in an inner coat pocket and away from the chill, since it can drain the battery faster.
Finally, sometimes it might not be safe to be outdoors for long periods of time. But you can still reap the brain-health benefits indoors even if you don't own exercise equipment...
- Walk around the house or up and down the stairs with your favorite energizing playlist cranked up. Or simply dance!
- Fire up your computer and take an online fitness class or follow a home-exercise video. (I recommend searching on YouTube for equipment-free, home bodyweight workouts.)
- If you can make it there safely, check out large indoor spaces like your local mall or community center to take a stroll.
Got a good winter-weather safety tip or two of your own? Let us know at feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com.
P.S. Winter hazards are easier to avoid when you can actually, well, see them. If it has been more than a year since your last eye exam, now's the time to squeeze one in.
A quick check can help you spot those sneaky icy patches sooner and improve your depth perception to reduce your fall risk, especially as we head into even colder months. Not to mention, those vision (and other health) benefits reset at the end of the year, too.
If you want more health and money tips on how to make the most of what's left on the calendar, check out my latest issue of Retirement Millionaire. (Or give it a risk-free try for a month.)
What We're Reading (and Watching)...
- Something different: The smell of rotten eggs... and how it can treat nail infections.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
December 16, 2025