Tips for Combating Winter Blues Both In and Out of Your Arlington Heights Home

Does winter get you down? Do you hate long weeks of short days, gray skies and cold weather? If so, you’re not alone. Many residents of northern climates have a tough time combating winter blues.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help combat winter blues. Following are some tips that can help you stay healthy mentally and physically until spring arrives.

• Dress right. Amazingly, some people just don’t bother to invest in the proper apparel to keep them warm. Being prepared for winter storms or prolonged cold and frequent snow can make a difference. Boots, hats, gloves and the right warm coat are just the basics.
• Avoid that sugar rush. While sugar can give us a momentary rush by raising serotonin levels, it can also leave us depressed after the high is gone. Eat right, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, and take your vitamins.
• Get moving. An hour of aerobic outdoor exercise has the same benefits as 2.5 hours of light therapy. Exercise raises your serotonin levels, which may be low in the winter, and makes you feel better.
• Let there be light. If you suffer during the shorter days and diminished sunlight of winter, a light box can help. Light boxes aren’t all alike, so look for models that have undergone peer-reviewed clinical trials, with screens that emit diffused light and filter out UV rays. If you can’t afford a light box, look into full-spectrum light bulbs.
• Finally, keep busy. You’ll feel better and your household will function more smoothly if you don’t put off chores and you keep up regular maintenance. At the top of your list should be HVAC maintenance, particularly in light of the sometimes severe weather our region experiences in winter. You don’t want your heating system conking out with a blizzard approaching.

For more information about combating winter blues that involve your home comfort, call Tempco Heating & Air Conditioning in Arlington Heights. We’ll be here for you all winter and every season of the year.