Heaters on, windows closed.. It's winter!!

It's winter.. achchooooo....Bless you!!

Winter is fast approaching. You should now be ready to turn the heaters on to high, close and seal all the doors and windows(especially if you are in a cold region like Minnesota). Even then, your family tend to get sick often during the winter with frequent cold, cough and headache and what not! Chances are.. its not the cold weather, but it could be the way you handle the weather which is making you sick. Here is something you need to know.

Cold and dry weather in the harsh winter time can result in one or many of the following symptoms.

• Cold
• Cough
• Headache
• Rough, dry and itchy skin
• Slight bleeding from the nose
• Cracked lips
• Dry throat
• Itchy eyes
• Nose Bleed

All the above could be because of the dry air trapped inside the house. 

What could be the link between cold air and our health? The cold air lacks moisture and when inhaled, makes the lungs dry out and this dryness makes it more susceptible to cold, cough etc. 

How do you know that the air is dry? Well, there is a quick way to find it out. Answer a simple question. Do you get static shocks whenever you touch anything in your house, especially in your bedspreads? If yes, this is an indication that the air surrounding you is very dry and you are now vulnerable to sickness. Isn't it scary? Here are a few things you could do.

Use a humidifier

Running a humidifier in your home will add moisture to dry, heated air. Wait, it sounds simple. But, there is a catch.

• Change the humidifier water each day
• Every third day clean the tank according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Take care when cleaning your humidifier if using chemicals; they can be inhaled if the tank is not thoroughly rinsed
• Do not let water stand in the tank. Empty it when not in use, clean, and dry. If your humidifier calls for filters or demineralization cartridges, be sure to use them. Always clean before storing the humidifier for the summer unless you use it all year.

In case you use stagnant old water, the contaminants in the water finds a easy way to reach you through the humidifier. Also, make sure that The humidity level in your home is the amount of water vapor in the indoor air. The humidity should be below 60% in the summer and 30%-50% in the winter. Most common mistake people do is to set the humidifier to a high. This will lead to mold, fungi formation in the ceilings because of the excess moisture throughout the night.

Avoid chemical air fresheners

I can understand that in a sealed place, there is more need for freshening. But, if you are concerned about your health, you need to do this. The air already trapped inside will be more polluted with these chemicals and will become an overload for our health. Instead, you can get help from some fresh orange peels, baking powder or other natural fresheners.

Open some windows during the day

Yes, this will help circulate the air. Rather than recycling the used up air again and again inside the sealed house, let the free air come in and replace the stuffy air once in a while. This does not require you to fully open the doors. Just a few minutes of opening up the windows a little bit can help you out a lot.

Drink adequate water

You might not be feeling thirsty during winters. Still, you will be losing the moisture from the skin due to the cold air around you. Drinking adequate water will help you to keep hydrated. This is needed to compensate the moisture you lose through your skin and will help to prevent your skin from drying. You can even apply good natural products like coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil rather than choosing for harsh chemicals for moisturizing.

Hey, there are some extra benefits too.. 
Consumer energy center says, "For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting."Also, Turning down the thermostat may shed pounds as cold activates calorie-burning fat. Ain't that good.Now you know how to handle the winter season, right? Hope you have a more enjoyable winter this time.

If you find this article useful, and if you think your near and dear needs to know about this, please care to share.

Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2588424/Your-central-heating-reason-feel-ill.html
http://wellnessappliances.com/mistakes-to-avoid-when-using-a-humidifier/