for Your Home, Health & Happiness
By Alexander Germanis
One of the fables told by the ancient Greek fabulist and storyteller Aesop was that of “The Ant and the Grasshopper.” A hard-working ant prepares diligently for the approaching winter while the weather is still warm and enjoyable. Meanwhile, the grasshopper, expresses little concern for the future, choosing instead to frolic the days away while mocking the ant’s dedication and preparation.
When the winter comes, however, the grasshopper finds himself begging the grasshopper for food and shelter, unable to fend for himself.
Preparing for the winter can feel like a nuisance, especially on days when the air conditioner is still running around the clock. But taking inventory of what needs to be done and planning out your implementation can make the long winter months less stressful, more enjoyable, and can even keep you from having to work off any winter weight come the next spring.
Make the Rounds
Take it from someone who has experienced not one but two Christmas Eve’s without a working furnace: Doing your best to ensure you have heat throughout the winter is pretty important. Although you cannot always anticipate a catastrophic failure of a major appliance, as was my case, getting it checked out by a professional before the season begins is a smart idea.
Maintaining your heat source is just the beginning. Checking for air leaks around windows and doors and installing weather stripping can save you a lot of money on your energy bill. Installing insulation in areas where it might be lacking is also a good way to ensure a cozier living environment.
Clearing the grounds around your home of leaves, making sure your downspouts are clear of debris, and trimming branches overhanging your house will not only keep your homestead looking nicer through the winter months, but it can also prevent major and even damaging problems that may arise when snow and ice pile up.
Preparation for snow shoveling and clearing ice is also a smart move. More than once I have cursed my own stupidity and lack of forethought when trudging through a foot of snow to the shed to retrieve the snow shovel. Having shovels and salt accessible and putting at least one ice scraper and snow brush in your car will pay dividends when that first snow hits.
Should a lot of these chores seem like too much of an irritation, consider hiring a service for the winter. There are many companies and individuals specializing in winterizing your home and keeping your walkways and driveways snow- and ice-free so you don’t have to worry about them.
Your car should not be ignored either. Filling the windshield washer reservoir with a deicer fluid will not only make clearing your windshield easier, but it will also help prevent the freezing of the fluid and avoid a potential cracking of the reservoir itself. Also, do not forget to keep your car gas tank filled as often as possible. Low gas levels in the tank can lead to condensation in cold weather, which leads to water in your gas and subsequent performance issues. A full tank also prevents the fuel line from freezing or gelling and rust from forming in the tank.
Can’t Someone Else Handle It?
Any homeowner knows the concerns a coming winter brings. In all truthfulness, winter prep can be a bit of a pain. Unfortunately, house problems do not recognize that you’re entering your retirement years. If you’re slowing down a bit, experiencing movement difficulties, or are just simply tired of the adulting that comes with being a homeowner, perhaps it’s time to consider a move.
Many seniors join retirement communities in order to enjoy every aspect of their lives, including the housing part. Many communities and homes also offer meals, laundry services, and more in order to let you focus more on the joys of life and less on the mundane trivialities of it.
Be Ready for Spring
Ants and grasshoppers aside, many of us tend to follow in the footsteps of the bear when winter comes around. The urge to simply sleep and eat can become almost overwhelming. But while the hibernating bear emerges from the cave in a leaner state, we humans are not so lucky.
Staying active throughout the winter is vital in maintaining not only one’s physical health, but one’s mental and emotional outlook as well. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can afflict young and old alike. Depression, weight gain, and the urge to sleep more can lead to debilitating results.
According to the Baylor College of Medicine, however, exercising as much or more than you did during the summer months is advised. Aerobic exercise positively affects your mood, especially if you’re able to do exercise in the sun or under a sunlamp. Walking, running, indoor cycling, yoga, tai chi, and other exercises can benefit both body and mind.
There are many, many gyms in Central Illinois as well as indoor sports leagues. Finding a way to exercise during the winter is getting easier and easier.
So, don’t wait for the first snowflakes to fall; start now! Pick a gym or indoor league. Go with a friend or loved one in the waning months of fall so by the winter your workouts will already be a habit.
Take Stock
Preparation is always commendable and being ready for a period of uncertainty like a long winter can bring peace of mind and relieve building stress. The stalwart ant in you will be grateful for your dedication.
But there is still something to be said for the grasshopper’s love of life. Planning and preparation should not be all-consuming. Enjoy the fall colors while they last. Take a moment now and then to appreciate the final warm days and cool evenings of the autumn and try looking forward to the glistening snow and crisp air of the winter.
While peace of mind is a good thing, remembering to revel in the moment will make the fall more than just a time of checklists. The coming winter will likewise cease to be a time to dread and rather become a season to be embraced.
