The dead of winter has arrived in many parts of the country, with frigid temperatures and ample amounts of snow. While it’s tempting just to curl up under the covers in an effort to stay warm, it’s more heart-healthy to keep up your exercise regimen throughout the year. Find an activity that’s fun to do outside and dress in layers, Heart & Stroke says. Take advantage of the daylight hours to keep seasonal affective disorder at bay. And remember to stay hydrated even when you aren’t actively sweating or thirsty — cold air is often dryer than you think. #StayActive
Tag: winter
Keep the Warm Air Inside Your Home
One of the best DIY projects to undertake as the weather cools is to seal any leaks in your home and add insulation to prevent heat — and the money it costs — from escaping. Depending on the home, sealing leaks can reduce energy costs by about 25%, Homelight says. Consider a home energy audit to examine your energy use room-by-room; many utility companies will perform one free of charge. Then, caulk cracks, add insulation and install weatherstripping to keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside for entire winter season. #CoolWeatherTips
Start Storing Those Seasonal Items
Make some of your #spring #cleaning chores seasonal, The Spruce says, in order to get ready for warmer weather. Clean the grill, patio and garden furniture as soon as daytime temperatures warm up; also wash the windows to take advantage of sunnier days. You can also start sorting your heaviest sweaters, coats, flannel sheets and woolen blankets into #storage bins for next winter; you won’t need them in just a few weeks. If you find anything you just don’t want, donate it to ClothingDonations.org.
Sort and Declutter Winter Clothing Before You Store It
Winter clothing tends to accumulate over the years. If your closet needs a thorough #decluttering, says organization guru Ashley Joy Orfe, start by taking everything out of it. Sort it into “keep,” “donate” and “maybe” piles quickly, she says, “without second-guessing yourself.” Ask yourself a few hard questions such as “Do these even fit?” to eliminate all of the maybes, reorganize the keepers and put them back in your (now-spacious) closet. Anything that winds up in the “donate” pile can go into boxes and bags — and be picked up from your doorstep as part of a #donation to ClothingDonations.org.
It’s Time to Start Putting Away Winter Wear
It’s been a relatively mild winter and with March just around the corner, temperatures are sure to get milder fast. That means that you can start putting away all of that seasonal clothing you’ve been layering on for the last few months! Begin by washing or dry cleaning your winter woolens for storage, The Spruce says, and protect them with an ecofriendly moth repellent such as cedar, lavender or cinnamon. While you’re at it, “edit” any sweaters and coats that you haven’t worn lately from your collection — there’s no reason to store them. If they are still in wearable condition, #donate them to ClothingDonations.org.