So the American Thanksgiving typically kicks off the Christmas season (even for us here in Canada), and while I have started asking people what they’d like for Christmas, I think that there’s something different that should come from the Canadian holiday. I think it’s time to start winterizing.
I know, no one wants to think about winter; we’re all trying to soak up those last few sunbeams and get in as many after dinner walks as possible before the temperature drops too low. But I’m going to suggest that instead of waiting until after Christmas we should start working on it now.
I see 3 major areas where some pre-planning can be very helpful: skin moisturizing, vitamin D supplements, and preparing for colds and flus.
1) Cold air is very hard on skin, and it can become dry and cracked, which can lead to discomfort, and in some cases infection. I admit that I’m not very good at making time to moisturize, but I am going to go out and get myself a lot of cream, so that my skin doesn’t dry out. I’ve even put a large bottle of hand cream on my desk, and as an added bonus it smells like chocolate crème brulée. Very yummy. My point is that in keeping my skin from becoming dry in the first place I won’t be stuck trying to fight that uphill battle of replacing moisture come January.
2) Vitamin D plays an important role in the immune system, can reduce inflammation, and can help regulate moods. My doctor put me on a Vitamin D supplement toward the end of last winter. I came off during the summer, as I was outside enough I felt that I was able to produce enough vitamin D on my own. Generally speaking vitamin D is created in the body through exposure to the sun; however, during the winter there isn’t much sun, and many people are at risk for becoming vitamin D deficient (which, in its most severe forms, can result in rickets). While I don’t think that I’ll get rickets this winter, I do have asthma, which puts me at greater risk for colds and the flu, so it’s time to start taking my vitamin D.
3) A good friend once told me that every October/November she goes to the grocery store and buys a case of ginger ale, multiple cans of soup, crackers, cold and flu meds, and some tissues. She put all of these items in a box, and then stowed them just out of reach. Her thinking was that she didn’t want to get sick and then have to go out and get these items. I’ll never forget what she said to me: “Circe. There’s nothing worse than having to go outside when you’re sick.” I agree, and since I already have to go out with the dog, I’d rather not have to go out to buy “sickie food,” so I think I’ll set up a cupboard.
It’s supposed to be a beautiful week, so I think I’ll start working on this project while the sun is still out, and I still feel really good about things. Maybe then I’ll be in the habit when the cold weather gets here in earnest.
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