Keep Your Spirits Up While The Snow Falls

(Image courtesy of Micky**)

The late fall and winter are full of fantastic sights and great activities to keep you busy. Though we are on our toes preparing for the holidays and taking part in all the festivities around us, sometimes the lack of sunshine and shorter days can take a toll on our overall happiness. Feeling sad during the coldest part of the year can make the winter seem like it will stretch forever, so it’s important to keep your summertime attitude while the snow falls.

There a few simple tricks you can use to keep a smile on your face during the cold weather. This article fromapartmentguide.com has some great ideas to keep you active and your spirits high while the temperatures dip lower. Keep reading to learn more.

Indoors

• Bring the light in. One of the most effective ways to combat winter depression is with the use of an artificial light box. These small boxes, found online for upwards of $60, mimic outdoor light and are generally used for at least 30 minutes at a time to help adjust your body’s sleep cycles. You can even make your own by repurposing a wooden filing box from Ikea and purchasing some fluorescent bulbs. You can also brighten up your apartment by keeping blinds open and curtains drawn, allowing as much natural light in as possible. Sit near a window, either at home or at work, to take advantage of the sunlight. In terms of décor, use light-colored fabrics, wall treatments and rugs in your apartment during the winter to reflect light.

• Watch what you consume. Fight against the cravings and limit your intake of carbohydrate-rich foods, which will only cause a sugar crash. Instead, fill your diet with healthy foods that promote alertness and mental energy, like salmon, blueberries, whole grains, vegetables and nuts. Avoid self-medication with caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine may give you a brief jolt of energy, but it can also cause anxiety, muscle tension and other issues. Alcohol is a depressant, which can exaggerate symptoms. Try sipping on herbal tea instead, or if you must indulge, have a glass of heart-healthy red wine with dinner.

• Don’t oversleep on weekends. While it may be tempting to catch a few extra Zs on cold winter weekends, doing so can actually prevent you from fighting against the symptoms of SAD. The goal is to keep your body in sync as much as possible, so try waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day, even on weekends or days off from work.

Outdoors

• Load up on light. To drag your body out of its natural tendency to want to sleep all the time in the winter, take several breaks throughout the day to get as much natural light as you can. Get outside and go for a walk in the morning before work, or eat lunch outside during the day. In addition to getting some exercise, you’ll also increase your body’s capability to produce Vitamin D, both of which can lift your mood.

• Socialize. While the crummy weather and cold spells may have you looking longingly at your couch, it’s important to stay social instead of hibernating for the winter. So call up a few friends and make plans to do something fun, like grabbing coffee or checking out that new romantic comedy. Being around friends and family for even just a few minutes a day can make you feel better.

• Stay active. Just because the temperature is less than ideal doesn’t mean you should slack off on your workouts. Engage in regular aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes three days a week for optimal results. Plan your workouts for early in the morning, so you stay energized throughout the day. If your schedule doesn’t allow for a pre-work workout, studies show that early evening exercise can prevent fatigue during the evening, so plan on working out two hours before bed so your body and brain have enough time to settle down before bed.

Get Involved In Your Apartment's Social Scene

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You live in a great apartment community with many opportunities to open your door and meet the neighbors. Hanging out in the fireside lounge, the terrace or the fitness center will open you up to meeting many of your neighbors. Though we have many resident events and activities, your social interaction with your neighbors doesn’t have to stop there.

Meeting the people living around you is only first step in creating friendships. This article from apartmentguide.com has some great tips to get you started hanging out with your great new neighbors. Keep reading to learn more.

Hang-out prep tips

Rule #1 of hanging out is finding people to do it with — but you don’t want to jump the gun on this. You need to scope out your apartment community and ease into conversation to find out which neighbors are “hang-out-able.”

Luckily, it’s easy. Just walk around. Linger at the mailbox (not too long, stalker!) and say hello to anyone who looks interesting. The same goes for the pool, gym, dog park and even the parking lot. The more mobile you are, the more people you meet.

Once you’ve created a few “hello, how’s it going” relationships, start stretching out your conversations to see whether you have common interests. When you find a few peeps that like the same things you do, it just might be time to take your hang-out to the next level.

Chill one-on-one

Now that you’ve pegged a few potential hanger-outers, a one-on-one meet up will give you a chance to get to know them better. Two-person hang-outs can be a little intimidating because it’s up to you to keep the convo flowing, but it’s the best way to focus on your new friend and build a rapport.

Now, this face-to-face time doesn’t necessarily mean sipping herbal tea and commiserating about the girl/guy who broke your heart in 4th grade. Keep your first hang-out light and casual, but be yourself. Set up a plan to play tennis, go for a walk, carpool to the grocery, or sit by the pool after work. Easy-going chit-chat and a no-pressure vibe will help you find out whether your new friend is ready for a group hang.

Host a group hang

Hanging out in a group is super fun when you have the right people in the room. Definitely invite the one-on-one hangers who seem like they’d get along with a variety of personalities. Then organize a larger hang-out event in your apartment community – a party, by any other name!

Consider hosting a dinner party, book club, wine tasting, game night or cookout by the pool. You can cast a wide net by posting flyers at the mailboxes and on bulletin boards to invite the entire community. Or keep it smaller and only invite people on your floor or in your building, as well as the folks you’ve hung out with individually.

However you choose to organize it, a group hang-out is a great way to relax and get to know more people in your apartment community, as well as introduce them to each other.

Avoid awkward moments

Remember, hanging out properly is a skill. You don’t want to come off as the person who will never leave a party. Until you get to know people better, keep your interactions short and your conversation light. If you get invited to a hang, don’t be the first one to show up and the last one to leave. Arrive 5-10 minutes after start time, bring a drink or snack and leave while the energy is still up. People will love hanging out with you, and you’ll likely get invited back.

Be mindful that if someone doesn’t seem interested in hanging out, there’s no need to push the issue. Just move on; there are plenty more people in your apartment community who will be worthy hang-out buddies.

While this may seem like a lot of guidelines for something as simple as hanging out in your apartment community, it’s smart to start off on the right foot. Once you get a solid crew of people to hang with, your social agenda at home will be set!

How To Keep Your Bed Toasty Warm This Winter

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Now that the weather is starting to get colder, it gets harder and harder to get out of bed in the morning. Between the lack of sunshine to wake you up and the chill that hangs in the air, we understand why you may want to spend a few extra minutes buried in your pillows and blankets.

Though it may be counter-productive to helping you get up in the morning, using the right bedding will help you stay toasty as the nights get colder. This article from apartmentguide.com walks us through some of the best accessories to keep your bed warm. Keep reading to learn more!

Down comforters are what’s up

For fluffy warmth, it doesn’t get much better than down. Your most expensive down comforters – designed to be covered by a duvet, or just thrown on top of the bed as they are – will be filled with 100 percent goose down, but a more affordable alternative is a comforter filled with a mixture of down and feathers.

These comforters come in a variety of fill powers, which describes the quality of the down. A higher fill power means you’re getting higher-quality down, and it probably means you’re paying more money. If you live in Alaska, it might be worth it; if you live in Florida, probably not. And definitely look for a comforter that’s baffled, meaning there are pockets sewn in that trap the down in an evenly distributed pattern.

Depending on the fill power, down comforters range in price from about $40 to several hundred dollars.

There are also a few down alternative comforters out there that’ll still keep you plenty warm, but without costing you as much money. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to about $500 for a high-end down alternative comforter.

Curl up under fuzzy flannel sheets

Switching out lightweight sheets with something fuzzier is pretty common for most people when the nights start to get chilly. Flannel sheets are made from cotton or a cotton-wool blend and are warm and soft, yet lightweight. You’ll pay about $20 for a low-end queen set of flannel sheets, up to about $180 for a high-end set.

Power up with heated mattress pads and electric blankets

Electric blankets are a more efficient way to stay warm than turning on the heat.

When it’s really frigid, there’s no shame in turning to electricity to keep yourself comfortable – sure, it’ll cost you money and energy, but it’s a more efficient way to stay warm than turning up the central heat. Heated mattress pads and electric blankets create a warm cocoon under your blankets. Turn them on a few minutes before crawling into bed and you’ll be welcomed into a blissfully cozy pocket. Turn them off before you fall asleep – the blankets on top of you will keep the heat trapped, and you’ll be snug as a bug all night long.

Expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $100 for a queen-sized electric blanket or mattress pad. You can spend more if you want to be fancy, but it’s probably not worth it.

Warm up with wool blankets

In the centuries before electricity, people used wool blankets to keep themselves warm at night. Today, those same properties apply – a thick wool blanket on your bed will do wonders to keep you comfy and cozy. Just be sure to have them dry-cleaned, because you know what happens to a wool sweater when you put it in the dryer, and that’ll happen to blankets as well. And when winter’s over, store wool in a sealed chest where moths can’t get to it.

Prices will vary depending on the size of your wool blanket and where you buy it.

Most affordable option: Hot water bottle

It’s not glamorous, but it works. Boil some water on the stove and pour it into a temperature-safe water bottle. If it’s too hot to handle right away, wrap it in a cloth until it cools down a bit. Keep it close to you while you’re in bed, and you’ll be surprised at how toasty you’ll be.

Freshen Up Your Apartment With An Unexpected Twist

(Image courtesy of Nico Paix)

No matter how much care you took in designing the way that your apartment looks there comes a time when cushions on the couch begin to look a little stale. If you’re beginning to tire of your plain white dishes, there are simple solutions that you can take to avoid starting over and redesigning your whole apartment from scratch. Sprinkle a few visually appealing, eclectic elements throughout your apartment to add a little visual interest.

The changes that you make to your interior design don’t have to be drastic to achieve the desired effect. This article from renters.apartments.com is full of great ideas to add a little exotic spice to your interior decorating. Keep reading to learn more!

Color palette

The heart of an exotic design in décor is mostly achieved through the creation of a vivid backdrop. Indian décor may use saffron or mango colors and textiles in colors such as turquoise, jade, amethyst, orange and fuchsia. A typical Moroccan look can be achieved through turquoise and white tiles and dark wood. African décor, for example, features more earth tones and animal prints. Asian styles focus on faded browns, shiny black, red and white as well as green. Tropical hues include green, bright orange, sky blue, red and lovely bright yellow. Or, you can always go for some mottled green or blue in a traditional French style.

Flowing fabric decorations

Fabrics in lovely tones, loosely draped over the walls can truly transform a given room, giving it a completely new look. Adding a lantern or something similar will allow the lighting to give soft shadows and a different sense of space. This could help make your apartment feel like a Moroccan home – and you easily can find lanterns, sconces and more lighting fixtures at most home good stores.

Its all about the details

Regardless of whether its tiles or something else, the design is mostly felt in the small touches that add character. You can go one step beyond the usual decorations by adding Moorish symbols, changing your interior so it can closely resemble the traditional styles seen in the East and more.

Mosaic tiles

Complex tile work is something of a driving feature in Moroccan design as you can find it pretty much everywhere from floors to tabletops and walls. You can install mosaic tiles that look as close to zillij as possible, so you can achieve the same sense of aesthetic typically seen there. Many stores offer plenty of different opportunities to buy interesting designs when it comes to mosaic tiles.

The use of stencils

Stencils can be used more like an alternate solution you can do yourself so you can create the feel of a zillij tile. Just using a stencil pattern in the according colors can truly transform an entire room for a boring uniform color to something teeming with life and character. If you look up photos of Marrakesh you will see these patterns present in their more traditional interiors.

Don't Miss Your Workout!

(Image courtesy of Stacy Spensley)

Now that the weather is getting colder, the idea of getting dressed and going all the way to the gym can seem like such a hassle. On the days that a gym-run just doesn't seem like it’s going to happen, you don’t have to worry about missing your workout! There are simple exercises you can do in the comfort of your own apartment to make sure you burn calories and keep in shape for the next beach season!

Your health, and your workout, don’t have to hinge on you leaving your apartment. This article from renters.apartments.com has a great list of simple exercises to do at home. Keep reading to get toned while you stay in!

Quick Cardio Blast: Burn up to 150 calories

• Minutes one to two: High-intensity cardio, jump rope or run up and down stairs.
• Minutes three to four: Do as many push-ups as you can.
• Minutes five and six: Jump rope or run stairs again.
• Minutes seven and eight: Do squats by standing with your back against a wall and squatting as low as you can. Focus on form rather than speed.
• Minutes nine and ten: Back to the high-intensity cardio, but this time give it your all. Try to get in ten more jumps or stairs in the same amount of time.

Tone and Strengthen

Do each of these exercises for one minute. The goal is to move continuously for the entire series.

• Squats against a wall: Stand with your back against wall and squat down as far as you can.
• Push-ups: Focus on form, not quantity. Knee push-ups are perfectly fine until you have the strength for military style.
• Walking lunges with a front kick: Step forward with one leg and lunge until your knee is above your front foot. Stand and kick up, lower your leg and repeat with the other side.
• Squats/Chest squeeze: Hold a weighted object and pull it in towards your chest as you lift up.
• Dead lifts: Stand with a weighted object in your hands and bend forward until your back is parallel to the floor. Keep your back lifted the entire time. For an extra challenge, stand on one leg and alternate.
• Shoulder raises: Keeping your arms straight, lift the weight to the front of your body and hold. Lower slowly and repeat.
• Side raises: Stand with your upper torso parallel to the floor. Raise your arms to your sides with your thumbs pointing up. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold.
• Triceps Dip: Support yourself on a couch or sturdy chair with both hands behind you, facing away from the chair. Bend your knees and lower yourself using only your arms. Lift and repeat.
• Wide-leg squat: Stand with your legs spread open past your shoulders and squat as low as you can.
• Crunch: Lie on the floor and do a set of traditional crunches, with your arms behind your head and your knees bent. Lift up your upper torso, squeeze in your abs, lower slowly and repeat.

Stretch and Lengthen

These five stretches will target the major muscles in your body. Hold each stretch for one minute on each side.

• Hamstrings: Sit with your legs in front of you and reach for your toes with your hands, keeping your back straight. Then alternate the same stretch on each leg, bending your other leg inwards.
• Triceps: Hold one arm under your head, bend it and use your other arm to gently push it back, stretching the muscle on the front of your arm.
• Shoulders: Stretch one arm across your chest and hold it in place with your other arm. Gently pull the straight arm towards your chest.
• Quadriceps: Stand up and bend one leg back behind you. Pull the leg in with the same-side arm until you feel a stretch.
• Spinal twist: Sit with one leg straight and the other bent. Twist your torso toward your bent leg, supporting yourself by resting the opposite elbow on your leg. Use your other arm to hold yourself up by resting it on the floor behind you.