Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II

It’s January. Cold. Gloomy. Typically, it’s a quiet month without much to look forward to; the complete opposite of December. Spring seems a long way away. Did I mention the cold? Short days with – here in the Midwest – just 10 hours of daylight.  I don’t know about you, but my activity level is driven by sunshine. So, when my first winter living solo was particularly cold and dark (or maybe that was just my soul), I spent evenings living like a slug. Binge watching TV, eating popcorn for dinner, and drinking too much wine. In our “Stay Warm This Winter” blog post, we provided tips to help keep your apartment warm and cozy. Today we’ll chat about keeping yourself (your soul) warm and cozy during the dark days of winter.

Is there anything more warming than relaxing in a hot bath? As a matter of fact, there is. Adding Epsom salt to the bath. What is Epsom salt? It’s an ingredient used in a soak to treat minor aches and pains. It’s thought to soothe tired muscles and reduce swelling.

As a medication administered intravenously, it can stave off premature birth and alleviate seizures caused by several conditions, including magnesium deficiency, preeclampsia, and eclampsia. The most popular use for Epsom salt is in baths. While there isn’t strong scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, many people say they feel relief for multiple symptoms by soaking in an Epsom salt bath.

Let’s look at how you can use it.

BATH SOAK

Epsom salts dissolve in water. Enthusiasts believe this allows magnesium and sulfates to be readily absorbed into skin. Whether this is sufficient for various treatments or not, Epsom salt is considered safe. It’s also easy to use, easy to find, and inexpensive.

There really is no downside to taking a warm bath, although it’s important to check with your doctor first if you have low blood pressure. This is because hot water can temporarily lower blood pressure.

The Mayo Clinic recommends adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water. More than that can make the water feel slippery. It may also be drying to your skin.

Lower concentrations you can try are:

• 300 grams (1.5 cups) of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of Epsom salt to 1 gallon of water
• 2 cups of Epsom salt added to your bathtub of water

Soak for at least 15 minutes. If you’re soaking in an Epsom salt bath for aches and pains, make sure not to use water that’s too hot. This might worsen instead of reducing swelling.

Other ways to use Epsom salt in a soak:

• Create a detox bath.
• Create a detox footbath.
• Mix a foot soak for general use.
• Use Epsom salt water in a compress for direct application to sore muscles.
• Shop for Epsom salts for your bath.

Many Epsom salt advocates believe the amount of magnesium able to enter the body through the skin is sufficient for reducing swelling and relieving aches. It’s also thought that Epsom salts are effective for soothing skin and reducing irritation and itching.

Epsom salt bath side effects

When used as a soak, Epsom salt is generally considered safe. If you’ve never had an Epsom salt bath, consider testing a patch of skin with magnesium sulfate and water first. Avoid submerging broken skin in an Epsom salt bath. Stop use if you experience:

• itchy skin
• allergic reactions, like hives or rash
• skin infection

FOOT SOAK

Ultimate relaxation may be one of the most obvious health benefits of foot soaks, but research shows that soaking your feet in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes per day can do wonders for your mood, your energy level, your sleeping habits and any aches and pains that affect you — both in your feet and beyond.

To make use of the foot soak ideas below, be sure to have these basics:

• Tub. For each soak, you’ll want a bathtub, a large, shallow washbasin, or foot tub.
• Towel. Have a towel, bathmat, or drying cloth nearby, too.
• Time. Soak for 15 to 60 minutes.
• Warm water. Have some additional hot water available to freshen up the water if you’re not using a bathtub.
• Cool water. Finish each foot soak with a cool water rinse.

For relaxation and aromatherapy

When your ultimate goal is to relax and unwind, this recipe is just the ticket. According to a 2018 study, adding essential oils to your soak may help to relieve stress and anxiety, and put you in a more positive state of mind.

Aromatherapy ingredients

• 2 tbsp. carrier oil
• 5–20 drops of essential oils of choice
• 2 cups of Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup dried flowers, such as rose, chamomile, and lavender

Steps for foot soak

• Mix the carrier and essential oils in a large bowl.
• Add in the other ingredients to create a mixture.
• Slowly dissolve the mixture into the tub of hot water.
• If you have any leftover, store it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Consider a nice soak the next time the cold and gloom of winter threaten to dampen your spirits. Here’s to a warm, cozy, and relaxing season!

RESOURCES: Healthline, Mayo Clinic

The post Stay Warm And Cozy This Winter, Part II appeared first on Fath Properties Blog.

Baby, it’s cold outside. But that doesn’t mean you should be cold inside! After once residing in a drafty 1890’s apartment, I had to learn fast how to keep warm. Hope my lessons learned keep you cozy this winter.

Light

How we dream of a bright, warm sun all cold, dark winter long. Although daylight hours are short, and the winter sun is not strong, it can help to warm your home. Keep your blinds open on sunny days. Sun streaming in your windows will help to warm your place and the sunlight will make the season seem less dreary. Once the sun sets, close your blinds to add a layer of insulation against the cold.

Layer

When I was a kid, my dad would turn the thermostat down to 60 degrees every night. When my brother, sister, and I complained that we were cold, he’d say, “Go put on a sweater.” So layering on a sweater or sweatshirt, snuggling up with a cozy throw, and wearing warm slippers or thick socks has been a life-long tradition. Thanks, Dad!

Drafts

Take a moment to see if there is any cold air coming in around doors and windows. Draft stoppers at your door or window can really cut down on the drafts. Even a rolled up towel can help! If you have curtains on your windows, you can add a plastic shower curtain liner on hooks. You can also try wide painter’s tape to cut drafts around doors and windows without worrying about damaging the walls or trim. You can also buy foam liners for your outlets and switch plates to block cold air drafts – especially helpful on outside walls.

Bedtime

Bring on the flannel sheets and flannel jammies! Flannel is just so cozy – and inexpensive! You can also layer up your bed with extra blankets and/or a throw. Years ago, I visited some friends in Denver. I cannot even describe how cold it was in their home at night. I put newspapers under my fitted sheet and wore my coat to be the first night. The next day I discovered that they kept a basement window open all winter. Whaaat?? But guess what? After a few nights, I realized I was getting great night’s sleep and no longer needed newspapers or coat. To this day, I like to sleep in a cool room – but with layers of flannel, blankets, and covers.

Use Your Oven and Stove

Leave your oven door open after each use. Whether backing, roasting, or broiling, this will allow the hot air to escape and add heat to the room. However, be cautious about doing this if you have children or pets; make sure they can't reach the hot oven door or inside the oven. And never use the oven as a primary source of heat, especially if your appliance uses natural gas. Burning natural gas for long periods can increase carbon monoxide levels in your home. Think about baking something long and slow, like a delicious, easy, loaf of bread. Make a sheet pan supper! One pan, easy clean up, warms up the kitchen.

Warm drinks

Besides warming up your space, you also can warm yourself from the inside. Opt for hot meals, such as a cup of soup, on cold days. And consider making your own soup from scratch, like chicken soup or chili. Soup generally takes a while to cook, and the simmering pot on the stove will generate heat in the kitchen.

Use a Humidifier

Humid air generally feels quite a bit warmer than dry air. And running the heat in the colder months can strip your indoor air of its humidity. To balance this, consider using a humidifier. Look for the models that allow you to choose between warm and cold air; they typically cost more but are well worth it for the heating ability.

Reverse the Ceiling Fan

It might seem counterintuitive to use a ceiling fan when you're feeling cold, but it actually can help to warm you up. Let your ceiling fan turn at a low speed in a clockwise direction during the colder months. This will help to push the warm air that rises toward the ceiling back down toward floor level.

Use Microwaveable Heating Pads

A microwavable heating pad fairly inexpensive, and  can make a huge difference when you're cold. As an added plus, you don’t need to be near an outlet to use it. Use a heating pad on your hands and feet when you're sitting or lying down to feel considerably warmer overall. You can even make a basic heating pad yourself by sewing dried beans inside a piece of 100 percent cotton fabric, which you then can microwave in 30-second increments until it's at your desired temperature.

Cuddle

Snuggles really can keep you warm. We all produce heat through our metabolic processes and lose our heat to the environment as we maintain body temperature. Increasing skin contact decreases opportunities for the heat to be lost to the environment around us. If two people are under a blanket both of their heat losses combined can increase the temperature under the blanket more quickly than either could do independently. Plus, it’s fun.

Clear Heat Vents, Registers, and Radiators

Pull furniture, curtains, and other items away from heat vents, registers, and radiators. If they're blocked, the heat won't be able to circulate.

Do Something Active

Movement generates body heat. And there are many ways to get your body temperature up by being active. For instance, you could clean the house, exercise, dance, or play a game. Consider setting a timer as a reminder to get up and move every so often, so your body doesn't become so cold and stiff that you don't feel like being active.

While I like to dream of being someplace warm and sunny on a cold winter’s day, the idea of cozying up in a comfy sweatshirt and fluffy slippers while sipping hot chocolate under a fuzzy throw and binge-watching Netflix doesn’t sound too bad. Although I am counting the days until the pool opens. Just sayin’.

The post Stay Warm and Cozy in Your Apartment This Winter appeared first on Fath Properties Blog.