This post was made in partnership with Depend® brand. All opinions are my own. There are affiliate links in this post.
As it gets colder, I’m reminded how much I love living in New York City. The city, even in these times, is still enjoyable in the cold weather. In fact, this is what NYC is built for and I’m glad I live here. But even in the cold weather, my incontinence is still a big issue in my life and I have to make sure I’m staying protected and prepared for enjoying this cold weather season. Read on for tips on how I keep my confidence up to ensure that I’m ready for spending time outside in the colder months in New York City as I live with incontinence. Enjoying the Colder Months in NYC Living with Incontinence
For those of you not in NYC, I recommend searching your local city events calendar for similar attractions in your area. Hopefully, these will give you some inspiration for an activity in your area.
Dining Outside:
Even in cold weather, here in New York City, outdoor dining and less capacity dining is still a thing. There are plenty of places that will be open (hopefully with heaters or good insulation). You can enjoy a meal outside, but if you want to make sure you can use a bathroom, you’ll still need to go inside. With my incontinence, I need to make sure I can get to a bathroom quickly, but the fact is, sometimes I can’t. With Depend, I know I am protected against leaks and it lessens my anxiety about that. I always carry a small tote bag or fit an extra Depend in my purse along with wipes. We can still enjoy a meal outside (just wear extra layers!). This applies to dining anywhere too, not just New York! It’s always a great feeling knowing you’re prepared.
Outdoor Events and Festivals:
New York offers so many great outdoor activities. One of them is the Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights. Everyone bundles up and sees all the wonderful outdoor displays – it really is amazing. There are many kiosks for snacks and the restrooms are clearly marked. The Bronx Zoo is large and there are plenty of places to stroll and still keep your social distance. Make sure to consult the Bronx Zoo map or signs, there can be some distance between restrooms. Most cities have holiday light festivals and/or other outdoor events, so be sure to check your local news for holiday happenings in your area.
Get tickets here: https://fxo.co/DCCA
Read my full review of Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights.
Strolling in a City Park:
New York City has so many great public parks. Grab some hot cocoa and take a stroll through one of the parks. Central Park and Prospect Park are terrific to spend some time in. The air is crisp and clear and make sure to get a hot pretzel or some roasted chestnuts from one of the many vendors. However, there are 19 bathrooms and you can use this link to search for one near your location in Central Park. Prospect Park has 5 bathrooms. Keep in mind that some of the bathrooms may be closed. Wearing Depend takes away some of that stress that I always have when I’m out and about.
Ice Skating:
There are a bunch of terrific rinks in NYC – Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink in Central Park, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. Ice Skating is a wonderful way to get some exercise and have fun at the same time. I usually make sure I hit the restroom before I get on the ice. If you’re not able to enjoy the NYC rinks specifically, most major cities should have an ice rink of their own to take advantage of. Regardless, my biggest tip is to ensure you’re prepared before hitting the ice or any other outdoor activity for that matter.
Wollman Rink in Central Park (outdoors)
830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065
The Rink At Rockefeller Center (outdoors)
600 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Center, New York, NY 10020
https://fxo.co/1168465/RockefellerCenter
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (this one is indoors)
61 Chelsea Piers, New York, NY 10011
https://www.chelseapiers.com/sr/
Also, a trip to Top of the Rock is a great thing to do whether you’re a local or a tourist. Checking out the holiday windows on 5th Avenue is also another great outdoor activity. I always make sure I look to see where a Starbucks is to make sure I have a nearby bathroom to go to.
If you are planning to spend time outside this winter with your family, we have a list of great outdoor activities here: https://www.themamamaven.com/ten-fun-family-activities-to-do-in-nyc-during-cold-weather/.
I, along with nearly 65 million Americans, experience bladder leakage. But I don’t let it get in the way of how I want to live my life or keep me from adventures. If you or someone you know is looking for advice and resource on bladder leaks, join The Incontinence Community, a private Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/InconCommunity. Enjoying the Colder Months in NYC Living with Incontinence
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