A person looking outside a window that has snow.

Winter is coming: treat yourself right (and pay with your HSA!)

As the weather changes, our bodies need to adapt. Here are some ways to keep yourself healthy this winter (while using your HSA, of course!).

Your alarm goes off. It’s 6 a.m. and pitch black outside, and getting out from under the covers may as well be like climbing Everest. This can only mean one thing: winter has arrived.

This change in season brings on some seriously inconvenient conditions (to say the least). Which is why in order to stay healthy during this time, you’ve got to do your due diligence! Luckily, there are plenty of steps you can take to ensure your well-being during these colder months. Oh, and to sweeten the deal: your HSA funds can cover many of these winter health essentials costs!

So, as things get chilly this season, be sure to keep these tips in mind, they’ll help you stay ahead of the cold, and keep your wallet in great shape, too.

Schedule those appointments

What better way to set yourself up for the coming year than with a clean bill of health? Use this end-of-year timing to schedule your annual exams, whether this means a physical, a dental cleaning, whatever! Just schedule that appointment. Your body deserves it.

Remember not to neglect your mental health during the winter months. Many people struggle with SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder during the winter. Starting or keeping up with therapy or psychiatrist appointments is a great way to maintain your mental health even when it’s pretty sad lookin’ out there…

Oh, and be sure to pay for those appointments’ copays with your HSA. Just swipe your Starship card on the spot, or reimburse yourself within the app later. Why not, right?

Get your flu shot!

Since you’re going to the doctor anyway… don’t forget to opt-in for that flu shot! This might seem like a small step in the long game of health and wellness, but when it’s so easy to get (whether at your primary care physician’s office or even at the local pharmacy), this just might be what keeps you comfortable in the months to come.

Plus, your flu shot will be covered by your copay, which will be covered by your HSA. So you save yourself some money (and agita!) in a few ways: by getting the shot, and by preventing yourself from needing to purchase mass amount of flu remedies down the line. Who doesn’t love a little foresight?!

Keep it movin’

We’re with ya… it’s wet and cold out there, and all you want to do is snuggle up on the couch and hibernate until the temps start to rise. But shutting down during the winter isn’t the best way to see yourself through to the spring. So instead of using winter’s weather as an excuse for hunkering down, challenge yourself to stay active! Giving your body movement and deliberate exercise will keep your spirits up during those long, cold months.

Additionally, if part of your movement regimen includes outdoor activities (brr!), don’t forget your sunscreen! Sure, you might be bundled up out there, but especially when there’s snow on the ground, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging rays. UV rays are even stronger when reflecting off of a surface like snow. Plus, sunscreen is HSA eligible. Who knew 😉