MISSION, Kan., Nov. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family Features)
When chilly weather arrives and the days get shorter, chances are
good you'll spend the majority of your days indoors. Before you
start your hibernation, it's a good idea to ensure your home is up
to the task. Put your well-being at the top of the list with these
ideas to help ensure a health-conscious home that's ready for the
dark days of winter.
Encourage better air quality
When the house is closed up tight to keep out the cold, you may be
trapping in some undesirable air pollutants. A well-sealed house
may not have the best circulation, and that's the ideal environment
for dust mites and other allergens to accumulate.
A thorough cleaning is the first step toward better air quality.
Do a deep vacuuming of all carpets, including under furniture and
around baseboards. Be sure to launder linens that aren't typically
part of your regular washing routine, like window treatments and
comforters.
You may want to consult a heating and cooling specialist to
determine whether your ductwork is due for a cleaning. Especially
if your system didn't get much use through the summer months, there
may be a fair bit of dust just waiting to infiltrate your home once
the furnace begins to blow.
Be sure to change filters, clean vents and air returns and, if
necessary, consider adding an air purifier that helps filter any
remaining particles for the best quality air. When opening windows
isn't comfortable during cold winter weather, letting the sunshine
in can still help to improve indoor air quality. A study by the
University of Oregon's Biology and the
Built Environment Center showed rooms with increased sunlight have
fewer viable bacteria.
"Until now, daylighting design has been primarily about visual
comfort or circadian health, but now we can say daylighting
influences air quality," said Kevin Van Den
Wymelenberg, co-director of the BioBE Center and co-author
of the study.
Let in light
Natural light plays an important role in overall health, and
reduced daylight in the winter months can have a big impact on
productivity and sleep, according to a recent survey conducted by
YouGov on behalf of Velux. For example, nearly two-thirds of
respondents said they believe daylight affects their productivity
and mood. Light is also an important cue to the body's circadian
clock, and proper exposure to natural light during the day can help
support better sleep when darkness falls.
What's more, sunlight is a natural antidepressant, and there is
ample scientific evidence that associates daylight with better
health and quality of life, such as improved mood, less fatigue and
reduced eyestrain.
It may be tempting to keep the drapes closed when it's blustery
outside to ward off a draft, but with well-sealed windows, there's
no reason to block that all-important natural light. In rooms with
ample natural light available, take advantage, especially in the
morning when exposure to daylight can benefit your circadian
rhythm.
However, not every room is situated to maximize your access to
natural light, and that's when you can get creative. One solution
is skylights, which add natural light to virtually any space. An
option like a Sun Tunnel Skylight offered by Velux Skylights lends
brightness to even the smallest spaces, like a bathroom or hallway.
For a larger room, a fresh-air skylight can help address air
quality concerns, and some models offer smartphone connectivity to
open and close the skylight and even raise or lower blinds with a
few quick taps of the finger. Learn more at whyskylights.com.
Keep out the cold
As a child, you were probably warned to bundle up in cooler weather
to avoid catching a cold. As an adult, you likely realize that
germs, not temperatures, cause illness. However, there is some
truth to the old wives' tales associating cold with getting sick.
The viruses that cause colds and the flu thrive in cooler
temperatures, for example. This means that, at least indirectly, a
cold environment may indeed make you sick.
To ward off a chill in your home, safeguard against drafts
around windows and doors. If seasonal weather-proofing is
impractical, consider temporary solutions like draft stoppers or
mats you can place at the base of doors. Add insulation, if needed,
in areas that commonly release a significant amount of heat, such
as the attic and garage.
Daylight Makes a Difference
As the days become shorter and colder, the importance of getting
enough daylight is even more acute to sleep patterns, mood and
productivity. These tips can help you get a better night sleep:
- Increase your exposure to natural light during the day. Take a
lunchtime walk at work or, if you can't get outside, sit by a
window while you eat.
- Install blackout curtains in your bedroom to block light from
street lamps and the moon.
- Turn your thermostat down in the evenings to create a cooler
bedroom to sleep in.
- Establish a good bedtime routine. For example, read a book
instead of spending more time looking at a screen. Blue light from
electronic devices mimics daylight and can trick your brain into
staying alert.
- Use red or orange bulbs in kids' night lights as these are some
of the least disruptive to sleep.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
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