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HAVE A LOW-STRESS HOLIDAY
Three Tips for a Merrier Time
GET STARTED EARLY
The holidays are right around the corner, and while many people can’t wait to eat turkey and swap presents, others only see stress on the horizon. Especially for those hosting parties, between decorations, big dinners, excited kids, and visiting family, it can all feel overwhelming. If celebrations are happening at your house this year, here are three tips to lessen the strain and keep up the holiday cheer.
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Holidays always arrive faster than we expect, so begin preparing early. If shopping for presents is a pain point, don’t wait until the last minute. Decorate earlier than you need to — or better yet, get the kids to do it for you. There’s only so much cooking you can do ahead of time, but ensuring you have all of the equipment and nonperishable ingredients you need a few weeks in advance will reduce both your workload and anxiety.
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RECHARGE FIRST
DON’T EXPECT PERFECTION
Ensure you’re rested and recharged before the holidays by taking time to relax, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that make you feel good. When you’re rushing to get everything done, it can be tempting to skip self-care routines, but that will cost you in the long run. Your daily exercise and other health activities keep you balanced and ready to face challenges head-on.
The sooner you let go of the idea of a “perfect” holiday, the sooner you’ll be able to have a happy one. Face it: Something will go wrong. Whether it’s an overcooked dish, a child throwing a temper tantrum, or your uncle talking politics at the dinner table, nothing will ever go just how you planned. So, embrace the imperfections.
Whether you’re celebrating this year with a group of two or 20, holidays can be a stressful time — but they don’t have to be. With these tips, your festivities may not be picture-perfect, but they will be a lot of fun.
Hot Habits
blinds or curtains! Sunlight naturally adds heat to your home, allowing your HVAC system to take a breather. GIVE IT SOME SPACE Many heating systems are located in spots where items tend to collect, like in the basement or the corner of a room. Try to avoid crowding the area around your unit, especially during heating season. Items that are too close for comfort could damage your HVAC system should they tip over or leak onto your unit; heat-sensitive items, like paper or plastic, could catch fire or melt. Instead, store items a few feet away from your unit to ensure it can do its job safely and efficiently, keeping your home comfortable for years to come. If you are worried about your heating system’s abilities this winter, our technicians at Aire Serv of the Mid-Hudson Valley can help. Give us a call today at 845-256-6158 to learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment.
IMPROVE YOUR HEATING SYSTEM’S EFFICIENCY
We all have our own ideal temperature in the winter. Some prefer to bundle up with blankets and sweaters, while others want to relax in shorts no matter the season! Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, living in New York means your heating system will have to work this winter, and there are a few ways you can ensure it does so efficiently. PICK A TEMPERATURE — AND STICK TO IT! There’s a common myth that dramatically increasing the temperature will heat your home more quickly after you come inside from the cold. However, doing this forces your HVAC system to work in overdrive, pushing its limits past what you typically ask it to do. And it may all be for naught.
HVAC systems heat and cool a home at one pace, regardless of the temperature you set. So, choose your ideal inside temperature, set your thermostat to it, and let the heating system roll along happily at a steady pace all winter. CHECK YOUR WINDOWS AND OPEN YOUR BLINDS Your windows can work both for and against your home. Start by examining them. If there are gaps — or if your windows are 20 years old or older — you may need to repair or replace them and their seals to ensure the cold air stays outside and the warm air your heating system produces stays inside. (Note: A professional can help you make this determination.) Regardless of the condition of your windows, open those
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