Waukesha County Home

Family Features With cold weather here and the days still some of the shortest of the year, chances are good you're spending the majority of your days indoors. Put your well-being at the top of the list with these ideas to help ensure a health-conscious home over the dark days of winter. Encourage better air quality When the house is closed up tight to keep out the cold, you may be trapping in some undesirable air pollutants. A well-sealed house may not have the best circulation, and that's the ideal environment for dust mites and other allergens to accumulate. A thorough cleaning is the first step toward better air quality. Do a deep vacu- uming of all carpets, including under fur- niture and around baseboards. Be sure to launder linens that aren't typically part of your regular washing routine, like window treatments and comforters. You may want to consult a heating and cooling specialist to determine whether your ductwork is due for a cleaning. There may be a fair bit of dust just waiting to infiltrate your home as the furnace blows. Be sure to change filters, clean vents and air returns and, if necessary, consider adding an air purifier that helps filter any remaining particles for the best air. When opening windows isn't comfortable during cold winter weather, letting the sunshine in can still help to improve indoor air quality. A study by the University of Oregon's Biol- ogy and the Built Environment Center showed rooms with increased sunlight have fewer viable bacteria. "Until now, daylighting design has been primarily about visual comfort or circadi- an health, but now we can say daylighting influences air quality," said Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, co-director of the BioBE Center and co-author of the study. Let in light Natural light plays an important role in overall health, and reduced daylight in the winter months can have a big impact on productivity and sleep, according to a recent survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Velux. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they believe daylight affects their productivity and mood. Light is also an important cue to the body's cir- cadian clock, and proper exposure to natu- ral light during the day can help support better sleep when darkness falls. What's more, sunlight is a natural anti- depressant, and there is ample scientific evidence that associates daylight with bet- ter health and quality of life, such as improved mood, less fatigue and reduced eyestrain. It may be tempting to keep the drapes closed when it's blustery outside to ward off a draft, but with well-sealed windows, there's no reason to block that all-impor- tant natural light. In rooms with ample nat- ural light available, take advantage, espe- cially in the morning when exposure to daylight can benefit your circadian rhythm. However, not every room is situated to maximize your access to natural light, and that's when you can get creative. One solu- tion is skylights, which add natural light to virtually any space. An option like a Sun Tunnel Skylight offered by Velux Skylights lends brightness to even the smallest spaces, like a bathroom or hallway. Learn more at whyskylights.com. Keep out the cold As a child, you were probably warned to bundle up in cooler weather to avoid catch- ing a cold. As an adult, you likely realize that germs, not temperatures, cause ill- ness. However, there is some truth to the old wives' tales associating cold with get- ting sick. The viruses that cause colds and the flu thrive in cooler temperatures, for example. This means that, at least indirect- ly, a cold environment may indeed make you sick. To ward off a chill in your home, safe- guard against drafts around windows and doors. If seasonal weather-proofing is impractical, consider temporary solutions like draft stoppers or mats you can place at the base of doors. Add insulation, if need- ed, in areas that commonly release a signif- icant amount of heat, such as the attic and garage. Daylight makes a difference As the days continue to be short and cold, the importance of getting enough daylight is even more acute to sleep patterns, mood and productivity. These tips can help you get a better night sleep: ■ Increase your exposure to natural light during the day. Take a lunchtime walk at work or, if you can't get outside, sit by a window while you eat. ■ Install blackout curtains in your bed- room to block light from street lamps and the moon. ■ Turn your thermostat down in the evenings to create a cooler bedroom to sleep in. ■ Establish a good bedtime routine. For example, read a book instead of spending more time looking at a screen. Blue light from electronic devices mimics daylight and can trick your brain into staying alert. ■ Use red or orange bulbs in kids' night lights as these are some of the least disrup- tive to sleep. JANUARY 2019 HOME 5 18 Full-size Doors On Display, Our Installers Are Licensed & Bonded 16'x7', 25 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 895 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Installed Tax Included $ 1095 • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 NOW ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 375 Installed Tax Included • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from 12645 W. Townsend (2 blocks N. of Burleigh, enter off 124th St. only) Free Estimate 262-783-4004 Monday - Friday 7am-5pm www.lifetimedoor.net 2 6 3 - 0 5 7 0 0 7 Full Year Warranty, parts and service on installed operators. Model 8365 Making your home healthier this winter Air quality, brighter rooms can make a difference Velux Skylights Brighter, healthier, warmer — three things you can achieve in your home to make the cold months less bleak.

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