This Can Help You Feel Less Miserable This Winter

Why you need to wash your lint trap, 3 wardrobe staples that will never let you down, and more. January 12, 2022 [View Online]( Good morning! For those who experience some form of seasonal depression, this time of year can be particularly difficult. It’s something I struggle with myself, and in Today’s Good Thing, I’m sharing a solution known to help with symptoms of seasonal depression. If you’re struggling with your mental health right now, I want you to know that you’re not alone. There are many of us who feel tired, unmotivated, and even despairing during this time of year. Reach out for support when you need it, and remind yourself (like I do) that this feeling won't last forever. Jillee JOIN THE ONE GOOD THING TEAM Passionate about writing? Love a good household hack? If you have writing experience and are interested in being part of the OGT Team, or you know someone who is, I'd love to hear from you! Find out more at [jillee.co/jobs](. TODAY'S GOOD THING This Can Help You Feel Less Miserable During The Winter [Photos of Jillee using a light box.]( If the “winter blues” are getting you down, there’s a simple type of treatment that can help. Around this time every year, I feel the “winter blues” setting in, a motivation-sapping combination of fatigue and lethargy that makes it hard to get anything done. My search for solutions led me to learn about the benefits of light therapy, which I want to pass along to you in case you or someone you know could benefit from it too. Types Of Seasonal Depression. The most severe form of seasonal depression is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which most sufferers experience in winter when there are fewer hours of sunlight. SAD affects around 1-5% of people, while a milder form of seasonal depression called subsyndromal SAD (S-SAD, AKA the “winter blues”) affects 15-20% of people. What Is Light Therapy? Along with regular exercise, light therapy is considered an effective [treatment for seasonal depression](. It often involves the use of a light box that produces bright, full spectrum light that mimics the effect of natural sunlight. Light boxes generally range from $25-75 and are convenient and easy to use at home. Who Can Benefit From Light Therapy? If you struggle with low energy, lack of focus, and low moods during the wintertime, light therapy may be able to ease your symptoms and improve your energy levels. Choosing A Light Box. Light therapy boxes are widely available online and you don't need a prescription to buy one. Look for a light box with 10,000-lux intensity that filters out harmful UV rays, like the [Verilux HappyLight](. (Verilux has several other models you can check out if you're looking for a more affordable option.) Here are some general guidelines for using a light box: • Position the light box between 16-24” away from you. • Use your light box for 20-60 minutes per day. • You can work, read, or do other activities while you use it. • Using it in the morning can be beneficial, but you can use it anytime. • For best results, use it consistently every day. Related • [Here’s Why You Need To Take Health Checkups Seriously]( • [Want To Be Happier? Do This One Simple Thing Every Day]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • If you or a family member have been sick, these 10 tips for cleaning after an illness can help eliminate lingering germs. [Read more ➜]( • All baked potatoes are not created equal—check out 3 tips for crispy-skinned, extra-fluffy baked potatoes here. [Read more ➜]( • Your box grater isn’t only handy for grating hard cheeses—see what else you can grate to speed up meal prep here. [Read more ➜]( WASH IT WEDNESDAY Why You Should Wash Your Lint Trap [Photos of a lint trap being washed in soapy water.]( Removing the lint from your lint trap regularly is crucial, but the occasional deep clean is important too. You already know how important it is to regularly remove the lint from your dryer’s lint trap, both as a fire safety measure and to keep your dryer running efficiently. But even if you’re removing lint from the trap frequently, it’s still a good idea to wash the lint trap every few months. Washing the lint trap helps remove the layer of detergent and fabric softener residue that can build on the trap over time. Residue buildup can impede airflow, so removing that buildup regularly will help keep air flowing freely through your dryer and improve its efficiency. Washing your lint trap could be easier either—just wash it with warm water and a bit of dish soap. If there’s a lot of residue on it or the residue is particularly stubborn, soaking the lint trap in warm, soapy water before scrubbing it can make it easier to wash off. Once it’s clean, dry the lint trap thoroughly and return it to your dryer. BEAUTY 3 Wardrobe Staples That You Can Always Depend On [Photos of Jillee in a turtleneck, a blazer, and fitted pants.]( Some clothing items look great no matter what’s currently trendy, including these. 1. Timeless Turtlenecks. I love a good turtleneck shirt or sweater, especially during the winter. Turtlenecks can be sophisticated and stylish, especially in black or white. They’re really versatile, can be layered with other items as part of a daytime or nighttime look, and they’ll keep you warm when you’re feeling chilly. 2. Modern Blazers. Blazers don’t have to be limited to professional wear—wearing a blazer can bring a touch of sophistication to nearly any outfit. Blazers are tailored to come in at your natural waist, creating a flattering silhouette that will make you look like a fashion expert, even if you don’t feel like one. 3. Fitted Pants. Wear a tailored pant for a smart and sleek look that flatters your figure. You can wear them in all sorts of ways, and don’t be afraid to show off your personality with a bright color or print. Fashion is all about showing your natural beauty and unique personality, so don’t be afraid to make a statement. JILLEE'S PICK Store Your Food Like A Chef [A photo of deli containers of various sizes.]( Every profession has its “tools of the trade,” and sometimes professionals embrace those tools at home too. Like baristas who have professional coffee grinders at home or photographers who use their DSLR for every photo op, the fridges of chefs and restaurateurs are apparently full of deli containers. Plastic deli containers are ubiquitous in professional kitchens because they're cheap, durable, and stackable. Britta tells me that her husband Neil, who runs a restaurant bakery, stores nearly all their food in [quart, pint, and half-pint deli containers]( that he labels with painter’s tape. But I didn't realize other professional cooks did the same thing until recently when I came across [this article]( online. The article referenced [an episode of the podcast Design Time]( that featured an interview with Ina Garten, who raved about the fact that you can use deli containers “over and over again, and they go in the dishwasher.” They may not be the most visually appealing food storage option out there, but what is appealing is having several sizes of containers that all share one type of lid. Plus, it’s hard to argue with something the pros use in their own homes. [See deli containers with lids on Amazon ➜]( POLL OF THE WEEK Powder Pastimes Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when it snows? (Click one of the options below to submit your response.) 1. [Ski or snowboard]( 2. [Snowshoe or go on a walk]( 3. [Enjoy it from inside where it's warm]( 4. [It doesn't snow where I live]( Results from last week's poll: Over half of you are resolute in your decision to abstain from making resolutions. Over 1,600 of you weighed in on the question “What’s your attitude toward New Year’s resolutions?” Here's how you responded: • 58% said “I don't make them at all.” • 17.8% said “I do something as an alternative to resolutions.” • 14.1% said “I make them but I don't usually stick to them.” • 10% said “I make them every year and usually follow through.” A FEW MORE THINGS... Skip The Elevator: It’s National Take the Stairs Day, observed on the second Wednesday in January to encourage people to take advantage of opportunities to improve their fitness. Challenge yourself to take the stairs all day today! To paraphrase Robert Frost: “Two paths diverged in a building, and I—I took the stairs less traveled by, and that has made me embarrassingly short of breath.” On This Day: In 1932, [Hattie Wyatt Caraway]( became the first woman elected to the US Senate. The governor of Arkansas appointed Hattie to temporarily take the place of her late husband Thaddeus Caraway, which was the custom at the time. But not only did she win the special election to serve the remainder of his term, she was re-elected twice and held the seat until 1945. What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! 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