When the weather gets cold, homeowners and renters tend to keep their houses concealed to keep the cold air out. From a warm standpoint, this makes sense, but it also traps potentially harmful things like dust mites, pet dander, and more in the home. To keep the house clean and your family healthy as possible, follow these thoughtful ways to keep your home healthy this winter.
Always Wash Your Hands
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it can easily slip the mind. After coming home from the grocery store or work, only a few people’s initial reactions are to wash their hands. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer is the best defense against bringing colds and cases of flu into the house.
Get a type of soap that the family loves, making the experience slightly more enjoyable. A fun and foamy soap will help add a little more joy to washing your hands. Get in the habit of wiping down the counters and your phone while you take this step.
Let in Fresh Air
When winter is in full swing, it may seem crazy to open the window. To filter out any dust and dander that is accumulating in the home, opening the window can help it make its way out. Try to open the windows for five to ten minutes in the morning and at night. This way, it won’t affect the temperature of the home.
Get Quality Sleep
When everyone gets a good night’s rest, it can help the entire home stay healthy. Winter is commonly known for its cold and flu cases. High quality provides essential support to your immune system.
During sleep, breathing and muscle activity slow down, giving extra energy to the immune system to perform critical tasks. It is essential to prioritize rest as the seasons get colder to ensure the immune system is in the best shape. Try following certain habits or routines to make winding down easy.
Add Some Greenery
Plants are a great addition to the home for the mental and physical aspects of health. Many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the winter. This happens since there is less sunlight and everything looks dull outside.
A great option to bring some life into the home is getting plants. Try and get creative with plant displays, vines, and flowers to make a unique area to display greenery. Plants look great and can reduce stress and increase productivity, which can be difficult in the winter.
Change Out of Outside Clothing
Take things one step further and try changing out of clothing worn outside the home. Sometimes it is not practical, but it is one extra way to ensure germs are out of the house. When out in public, people can be sick, sneeze, cough on things around them, and get onto the clothing that’s being worn.
To keep things from the outside world outside, change into a fresh pair of clothing. Whatever is on the clothes has the potential to get onto the couch and bed. It is best to ditch the day clothes and wind down with something comfortable.
Reduce Dry Air
The winter weather can dry out air, skin, and hair. Living in a dry environment is uncomfortable and can cause pain due to a dry nose and lips. When someone is sick, the dry air does no favors.
Adding a humidifier is a quick and easy fix to get moisture back into the air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the humidity does no higher than 50% since dust mites and mold grow in high-humidity areas.
Stay Hydrated
In the summer, it is easy to reach for a cold refreshing bottle of water since the heat can cause sweating and feeling warm. It is just as important to stay hydrated in the winter too. The dry air can lead to dehydration. Staying hydrated in the winter is essential to flush out any illness and helps people stay energized, protect their skin and keep the body working in the best condition.
Shoot to drink around eight glasses of water per day. Try to get a fun water bottle to make it easier and more accessible on the go. It does not have to strictly be water too. Drinking items like tea, fruit-infused water, or even broth-based soups can count toward the daily fluid intake goal.
Get Vitamin D
Winter calls for more time spent indoors. Depending on work and school schedules getting sunlight is not the easiest thing to do with fewer hours of light and cool temperatures. Without proper vitamin D intake, it can lead to a deficiency and is crucial to bone health.
Luckily there are food options that offer vitamin D. Items like low-fat dairy like yogurt and cheese are great options, or fish and eggs. Sometimes a diet is not enough alone, so supplements can help too.
The Bottom Line
Staying healthy in the winter can be a challenge. Don’t forget to visit your doctors as well. This will ensure that you’re always on top of your health. If your doctor is too far though, visiting one near you might be a better option. To find one, simply search for terms like “dentist near me Germantown” or “physicians near me” and it should provide a list of experts that you can check out. If you keep the home clean and take extra precautions during this time, staying healthy will come with ease.
