| Winter
is a time for colds and flu, aches and pains, and
a malady that defies medical intervention -- cabin
fever. It starts with a restlessness
you just can't put your finger on, and progresses
into irritability, insomnia, and quick bursts of
quarreling in the family. If not stopped in time,
it can actually lead to real problems (as if those
weren't enough!)
What can you do to battle
cabin fever? We've got
a few suggestions for you that are a lot more fun
than taking aspirin or drinking plenty of fluids.
We've also got information on getting
your last cold out of the house
before it takes up residence again.
And remember, if you get
too stir crazy, you're welcome to come down and
watch the clothes go around with us -- honestly,
it's not as bad as it sounds. We're always here
to help!
See you soon!
Jim Nixon
The Cleaners
www.thecleaners.net
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Beadspread
and Comforter Coupon!
It's a good
idea to clean your comforters and blankets at least once
in the cold season, especially if you've been ill. After
all, what do you snuggle up in while you've got the sniffles?
This week, have $10
in regular drycleaning done, and we'll clean a bedspread
or comforter at half price.
(Include page of this newsletter displaying
coupon with your order.
Offer expires Feb. 19, 2005. Cannot be combined with other
offers.)
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February
Fever Phenomenon
We all get it, and there's no inoculation
available to head it off. It's
Cabin Fever -- also known as the February Blahs.
It's when we've got a good bit of the winter season behind
us already, but Spring isn't quite in the air, and we get
as surly as bears.
Combating
Cabin Fever
Just "staying busy" isn't enough
to knock cabin fever for a loop. If it were, we'd just recommend
a little house cleaning and you'd be fine. What
we crave at this time of year is something different.
We're tired of looking at black, leafless trees against
a winter sky, winter yards, and people in coats. So, the
key to the cure is breaking the mold.
- Go
away! This is by far the most popular
cure, but also the most expensive. It works wonders, though,
to totally change your scene and your routine by leaving
town and getting into the sun for a while.
- Change
your world. If the world won't change
to help your mood, why not change the part of it you have
some control over? It's a great time for some bright,
new wallpaper or a coat of paint on one accent wall, or
some new slip covers. (Be sure to use proper ventilation
for projects.)
- Bloom
where you're planted. It's too soon to
go out and turn over the dirt for a garden (if you could
even get the shovel into the ground!) But that shouldn't
stop you from enjoying the benefits of gardening indoors.
Get some petunias or other hearty, colorful blooms and
grow them indoors (not too close to windows, where temperature
changes can hurt them.) Get lots of green plants and start
learning to keep them alive (yes, you CAN keep them alive!)
- Get
a new attitude. Sometimes, all we need
to break out of feeling sorry for ourselves is to get
busy helping someone else. Especially in winter, many
shut-ins are particularly isolated. Volunteer with the
Red Cross to shovel snow off someone else's roof, or go
visit a neighbor and bring in some hot soup with you.
Go volunteer at the local homeless shelter and serve meals
-- somehow, you can't resent your "cabin" when you're
around people who don't have one.
- Feed
your brain. This is a great time to research
where you want to take your next vacation, learn a language
from tapes you can borrow at the library, or take a short
course in something at the community center, junior college,
park system or other local venue.
- Read
the paper. No, that by itself won't shake
the blahs, but watch for events that are held this time
of year just because people need to get out -- boat shows,
RV and camping shows, Community Theatre productions. Read
the Lifestyle or Community sections to find a club to
join or other interest group to get in touch with.
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Don't
Give In!
Above
all, don't surrender to the desire to hibernate.
It's great for bears, but in humans it can lead to depression
-- and that's no laughing matter. If you are not normally
depressed, you may be suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective
Disorder). This is a reaction
to having less light in the winter, and yet having to maintain
the same activity levels, thus upsetting your circadian
rhythms.
Symptoms
of SAD
- Depression
is felt regularly during the fall and winter months,
but not other times, especially if felt over the past
2 consecutive years in winter.
- Changes
in sleeping and eating habits, anxiety, no pleasure in
activities enjoyed at other times, sad or empty feeling.
- Craving
for sugary or starchy foods.
Ways to
boost your mood in winter
- Realize that January and February
have the shortest days of the year, and so you
need to compensate with more light.
- Go
outside during the day as much as possible.
- Rearrange your home or work
area so that you take advantage
of natural light coming in the windows.
- Get
regular exercise (outdoors, if possible.)
- If
symptoms persist, see your primary care
physician or mental health professional. Medication
is very often a great help, and may not
need to be taken year-round if your symptoms are seasonal.
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Sending
Your Cold Packing!
It's rotten feeling rotten,
and being cooped up doesn't help. But once you begin
to breathe easier, you're not out of the woods yet.
Here are a few simple
steps to take to make sure those cold germs hit the
road instead of taking up residence and waiting for
the moment to strike again.
- Sanitize
areas you touched while you had a cold.
This includes areas you might not think
of, like door knobs, the telephone, your
computer keyboard, your steering wheel, your car
keys, etc. Use antiseptic wipes and wash your hands
after you finish.
- Replace
your tooth brush and any other oral care items you
used while you had the cold. (If
they can be cleansed or sterilized, then do that
instead of throwing out.) It's a great idea to change
out your tooth brush about every 2-3 months anyway,
and after a cold or the flu is a must.
- Sanitize
the places you spent time while ill.
Did you veg on the couch all day?
Clean the upholstery and cushions. Were
you sick as a dog and stayed in bed? Wash
all sheets and the mattress pad in hot water and
soap. Wash blankets if they are machine washable,
or have them drycleaned. (Many
home washers and dryers are too small to do an adequate
job, so either take them to a laundromat with large
equipment, or have them professionally cleaned.)
Have quilts drycleaned.
Remember
that colds and flu are the most contagious during
the first 48-72 hours you have them.
So don't soldier on and go to work
-- you'll just bring down everyone around you with
your virus. Be kind to yourself and those around you
by keeping your cold as your very own, and eliminating
it from your home, car and office as soon as possible
when it's over. Gesundheit! |
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SEWING
COUPON
Now
is the time to spruce up your wardrobe with some alterations
or repairs so we invite you to
Take
10% off the price of any sewing order.
Include
a copy of this coupon with your order.
Coupon expires February 28, 2005. Can't be used
with other coupons or VIP. |
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Pressing
News is a weekly newsletter published by
The Cleaners (dba Nu-Way Cleaners
and Foothills Cleaners). The newsletter provides information on
garment care and restoration along with other information
and discount coupons. Visit our web site at www.thecleaners.net
for more
information about our company and the locations of our stores.
If you wish to be
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