How to Make Winter More Comfortable for Your Family

Winter isn’t everyone’s favorite time of year, but that doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable until spring comes around again, and it especially doesn’t mean your family has to be uncomfortable. There are actually many things you can do to make sure you’re as content as possible, even if you prefer the warmer weather (like me!). It’s often just a case of planning and prep-work to get ready for the cold. So here are some easy tips that might make winter more comfortable for your family.

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Make Your Home Warm and Cozy

When winter arrives (or before it gets here, ideally), you’ll want to make your home as warm and cozy as possible because that’s definitely going to add to the comfort levels for everyone, no matter who they are or what their seasonal preferences might be. First, think of your thermostat. Although it’s going to be tempting to crank it right up, that’s not actually the best idea since heat is expensive (and no one needs added costs this time of year). You might even make your space more uncomfortable by adding too much dry heat. Believe it or not, the suggested best temperature is somewhere between 68 and 72 degrees fahrenheit.

Space heaters are another good option if you want to add warmth to just one room without increasing the heat in the whole house. Just bear in mind that space heaters can be dangerous if you don’t take care of them or if they're left unattended.

It’s also wise to check the insulation in your home, especially if you’re feeling colder than you should be inside. It might be time to replace (or even install) your insulation, and when you do, you’ll definitely feel the difference in temperature, and you might even want to lower your thermostat even more.

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Get Your Car Ready

When you think about making your family more comfortable in winter, you might think about your home first, but we venture out often in the colder months. Whether it’s holiday shopping, visiting family and friends, or just running errands, you can't forge about getting your car ready for the colder months. You want your family to be comfortable on the go, too, right? So get those cars serviced and be ready for the long months ahead.

Depending on where you live and what the chances of ice and snow are, you can change your tires for winter ones to ensure better traction on the road. This also makes it safer and more comfortable to be in the car (with added peace of mind). Also, make sure the heat in your car works properly so no one has to be uncomfortable if you're going on a journey or road trip.

Although it's not pleasant to think about, it's always a good idea to keep provisions in your car in case of emergency. It's a good idea to keep blankets, snacks, water, flashlights, and perhaps even a first aid kit in your car. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use it, but it’s good to be prepared just in case.

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Take Care of Your Skin

Winter weather can really take its toll on your skin, and when it gets cracked and dry, it can be horribly uncomfortable. It's important to know about healing skin cracks before they get worse- dry skin in winter can be soooo uncomfortable! Moisturize regularly since the cold air can make your skin dry (leading to cracks); adding more moisture prevents that from happening. Kids can use moisturizers, too, so getting them into the habit is a great idea. Unscented moisturizers with no chemicals or harsh additives are perfect for young kids. And don't forget sunblock! Even in winter, you can get skin damage from the sun’s UV rays, and in fact, it might even be more likely because you won’t be looking out for it like you would in the summer. The best thing to do is to get into the habit of putting on sunscreen every day, especially if you’re going out, and then it’s not even something you have to think about anymore. You can even combine sunscreen with moisturizer to kill two birds with one skincare stone.

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Buy the Right Clothes

If you have kids or you’re an outdoorsy kind of person, a bit of cold weather, rain or snow isn’t going to stop you from going outside in the winter- and that’s actually a good thing. Being out in the fresh air and getting your Vitamin D will help you stay healthier because it boosts your immune system.

If you're headed outdoors in the wintertime be sure to purchase the right kind of clothing. You might think that thick, woolly items are best, but that's not always the case. Although wool clothing is great for being cozy, thinner clothes in layers are more beneficial. The key is definitely layering, so having two or three thinner layers instead of a thick sweater will keep you warmer and drier. Plus, if you get too hot or your clothes get wet, you can remove a layer and still be comfortable, which isn’t so easy when you’re only wearing one to start with.