Winter-Proof Your Beijing Apartment With These Simple Tips

Winter is just around the corner. In Beijing, that means sub-freezing temperatures, central heating you can't control, very dry air, static shocks, and bad pollution. Whether you live in a freezing hutong apartment or an over-heated top floor high-rise, these tips will see you through all manner of tricky winter situations.

Here in Beijing, we have twice the motivation to keep our apartments draught-free in winter: air pollution, and cold air! If you’re not sure where a leak is coming in, light a candle and put it nearby. If the candle flickers, you’ve got a draft. While it might not look very chic, the cheapest, easiest way to seal cracks is with packing tape or duct tape from the store.

Winter generally ushers in the worst air quality of the year, so now is the time to buy new HEPA filters. Most need replacing at least every six months, or even more frequently in winter. I also recommend investing in a home monitoring device like the Laser Egg (via kaiterra.com) or Air Visual Pro (via iqair.com) so you have an accurate picture of your air quality at home, which may not be as good as you think. If you're new to town, you can find a range of secondhand purifiers here: thebeijinger.com/classifieds/air-filtration. And don't be concerned about buying a used model: they work just as well as the new ones. The only thing that matters is the age of the HEPA filter, which you'll be replacing regularly anyway.

Lemon, ginger, and honey drinks really are an effective way to keep a cold at bay, but I never seem to have these ingredients fresh and on hand when I need them. Make your own starter kits that will last all season by filling up ice-cube trays with chopped ginger, a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, a little honey, and filtered water. Pop them in the freezer, and whenever you feel the first hints of a cold, add them to a cup of boiling water for an instant boost.

Some people swear by a hot-water bottle, but a hot rice pack is my favorite winter accessory. Never heard of it? It's just a fabric bag filled with dried rice, that can be heated up in the microwave. Rice packs retain heat for ages, and there is no risk of spilling boiling water on yourself. Make one yourself using a very simple DIY from wellnessmama.com, or ask your local tailor or seamstress to do it for you. They’re also great for muscle aches, flu-like pains, and period cramps.

Flannel: it's not just for cowboys! The brushed surface of flannel sheets helps them to trap air and body heat, making them much warmer and snuggly, eliminating that chilled feeling you get when first sliding between cotton sheets. Search 绒布 róngbù online for flannel products, or alternatively just go for flannel PJs like the hutong yéyé you really are.

If any of the windows of your apartment face south, open up your curtains during the day to catch any solar heat. Thanks, Sun! It's also important to get plenty of sunshine during the winter months, as a lack of sunlight can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is characterized by feelings of depression and anxiety.

I mean, you should be doing this anyway. But this TCM classic is especially useful in winter for keeping your internal body temperature high, and yourself nice and hydrated during this cold, dry season. You can read more TCM healthy tips to keep you cozy through winter, here.

Images: unsplash.com, vitacost.com, libreshot.com, bobvila.com, tasteofhome.com