Taking Care Of Yourself This Winter (By Taking Care Of Your Home)

Collaborative Post

If you want to thrive this winter you’re going to need a safe, warm, and pleasant space in which to do it. The good news is that providing you, and your family with such a space this winter doesn't have to be complicated. Instead, just follow the suggestions below.

Prep your roof for the winter strain.

Whether it's rain, snow or wind our roofs can take a great deal of extra strain during the colder months. Unfortunately, if they are not properly prepared to take this strain they can become damaged, letting the cold and wet weather in and compromising the warm and safe space that you need to live comfortably.

With that in mind, it's a very good idea to check the integrity of your roof before the bad weather rolls around. To do this you will need to check to see if there are any holes, or loose shingles or tiles and then have these fixed up as soon as possible. If you’re not comfortable working at heights, then it may be better to get a rood specialist to do this inspection and the following repairs for you.

Keep your home warm and cozy.

Self-care will be tough to do this winter if you are spending your time in a cold and chilly home. That is why you need to do everything you can to keep your living space warm and cozy.

The good news is there are plenty of things you can do to keep the heat in your home, such as adding extra insulation to the walls, floor and ceiling. This will trap the air you have heated in your home, making it not only warmer for longer but cheaper to heat as well.

Another option is to make sure that you find a block up any drafts from the outside and between rooms. Outside drafts can be blocked up with putty, or rubber excluders. Drafts from room to room can be tricker but are usually sorted by placing long fabric draught excluders over the gaps at the bottom of the door. You can even make your own draft excluders for this purpose as you can see in the video below.

Stock up on food and essentials.

Chances are you won’t feel too good on an empty belly, especially in the winter when your body is burning more calories to stay warm. Also during the colder months, weather can become more extreme with things like storms, ice, and snow blocking roads and cutting you off from your usual stores.

That is why you must stock up on food and essentials before the bad weather hits. Then even if you do get snowed, iced, or stormed in you will be able to eat hearty, warming, nutritious meals.

When it comes to stocking up on food it makes sense to make a list of the types of food you like that are shelf-stable. This means they do not need refrigeration (in case the power goes out) and can be stirred just about anywhere inside. Good examples of this type of food are canned meals, canned meats, canned vegetables, peanut butter, cereal bars, crackers, chips and dried fruits.

Investing in a camping stove with gas so you can heat up these meals is also a good idea, as is a stock of clean bottled water, some flashlights, several packs of batteries and a solar-powered radio and phone charger.

Keep your driveway and sidewalk clear.

If you don’t want to risk sliding and slipping all over the place either on foot or in your vehicle then you will need to keep your driveway and the sidewalk outside of your house clear from snow and ice. The problem is that this can be a very intensive job requiring a lot of time and hard work.

Happily, you can invest in a piece of equipment that will not only make it a faster job but will make it easier to reduce the risk of injuries or strains. This piece of equipment is known as a snow shovel electric or power snow shovel and all you need to do is push it along the snowy ground and it will pick up and spray the snow to the far side, creating a clear walkway or drive. You can think of it as a bit like vacuuming your sidewalk or driving, and you can get amazing results much faster than with a traditional snow shovel.

It also makes sense to have some gritting salt to hand, as then once you have cleared the snow you will be able to lay down a dome of this salt. The salt is useful because it helps continue to melt any ice and it provides purchase for feet or wheels that touch it, meaning you are less likely to slide about during the bad weather.

Provide a safe and warm space for exercise

Last of all, when the weather gets bad it can be incredibly difficult to keep up the health habits you have instituted over the summer. Exercise in particular can end up taking a back seat because who wants to go out in the snow for a run when you can stay cozy and warm under a blanket at home?

The good news is there is a way that you can ensure your home provides space for exercise during the winter time. All you need to do is invest in some home exercise equipment. If you are focusing on strength training then some weights which you can keep tucked underneath the sofa are a good idea. If cardio is your jam then you may want to get a running machine or a peloton bike. Although these can take up quite a bit of room so be sure to make a space for them in your home, perhaps in a spare room for the winter period.

Final thoughts

You can't take care of yourself and your family this winter if you do not have a dry warm home to live in. That is why you must do all you can to prepare for the winter, making sure your home is in a fit state to take care of you.

—End of Collaborative Post—

Free self-development courses
👇

Tap on any of the courses below to start learning how to boost your productivity (with GTD), get focused (with Deep Work), design a successful and fulfilling life (with The 7 Habits course), or learn the art of influencing others (with the How to Win Friends & Influence People course.) All for free. 👇