A warm fireplace and a cosy sofa are always nice to curl up to with a hot beverage in your hand (maybe even a glass of red wine) during the cold winter months. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a nice fireplace and most people have central heating in their houses so the warmth is there but not the fireplace. Common forms of effective heating usually come in the form of water radiators, electric heating or underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating is an efficient form of circulating heat in a building, however the problems with some central heating is that there is a lot of heat lost in single rooms that do not need heating. Water and geothermal heating are the most energy efficient form of central heating. Geothermal heating has been used since the Roman times.
Geothermal Heating
The Romans began using this as a way to heat buildings and spas, by extracting their sources from hot water and hot steam that is near the earth's core. This is still extant in places such as Reykjavik, Iceland and Boise, Idaho, USA (known as District Geothermal heating). This type of heating has its advantages; the fuel used is very clean and will not harm the environment. It is also very sustainable and the hot water used is restored into the ground to create more steam.
Korean Ondol
Ancient Korea was also the pioneers of underfloor heating, which is used for millennia in Korea and is thought to have dated as far back as the Koguryo or Three Kingdoms of 37 BC - 668 AD. Excess heat from the stove was used to warm up homes; this was located below floor level. This was known as the Ondol system.
The system worked from transporting heat from the kitchen to other rooms in the house, underground flues. Depending upon the designing and structure of the flues the heat from the floors would stay warm for extended periods of time, ranging between 30 days to upto 3 months. This was an efficient process, as the heat and steam generated from the kitchen during cooking would then be automatically transported around from room to room.
Modern central heating in the West has shown to be less energy efficient and expensive. Researchers have looked into the possibilities of installing energy saving heating, taking into consideration for the cost and health and safety. Fireplaces make a nice feature however, they can risk in carbon monoxide build up, and therefore the fireplace will need to be checked every year.
It might be a good idea to give this important part of your body its due. If you want to keep your feet looking and feeling their best, try a following these tips:
Wash regularly. This may seem obvious, but no matter where you find yourself walking, chances are that your feet are near some unpleasant things. Grime built up between toes and under nails can lead to infection or odor. Even wearing closed shoes will not keep them clean. Shoes hold in moisture, sweat, and trap dirt and keep them close to the foot.
Give your feet a light scrub everyday in the bath or shower. Pumice stones can also be used to remove dead skin and keep the sole of the foot soft. If you would like to go the extra mile for your extremities, go to a salon for a spa pedicure. Technicians will wash, massage, moisturize, and pumice your feet before taking care of your toenails.
Air out those toes. Don't hide your feet! Show them to the world; they will thank you for it. People who wear shoes constantly and never allow their feet to dry can develop painful conditions. Try to avoid covering them during the night and go barefoot whenever possible.
Fresh air allows the foot to dry and slough off dead skin. Though it may be tempting to keep socks or house shoes on around the house during the winter, make sure to free those feet for a little while each day.
Take care of your nails. Improper toenail trimming can lead to a lot of painful problems. Nails that are too long can be caught on things and torn off or even pushed back into the skin by the shoes. Also, nails that are cut too short or unevenly can promote infections in the nail bed or ingrown nails. Trim nails regularly, but make sure not to remove too much. When trimming at home, always use large toenail clippers and cut the nail in a straight line. Rounding the edges of the nail can encourage it to become ingrown.
Again, a pedicure is always a good way to do something good for your toes. A professional pedicurist can trim your nails and cut away overgrown cuticles. They can even paint your toenails for you.
Wear proper footwear. Shoes save your feet from lots of unpleasant situations, but the wrong shoe can hurt more than help. If you happen to spend a lot of time standing or walking, unsupportive, misshapen, and too small footwear can put pressure on the structure of your foot. Overtime, toes can become distorted, the arch of the foot can fall, and bunions can be exacerbated. To avoid these problems, always wear appropriate footwear. For instance, buy proper running shoes for exercise and sports. If you stand at a counter all day for work, wear supportive shoes and request a floor pad. It may also be a good idea to have your feet measured by a shoe salesperson every few years to make sure you are wearing the right shoe size.
Never keep damp shoes on for long periods of time. The moisture can soften and crack the skin. After removal, allow the footwear to dry thoroughly so mold cannot take up residence inside. Also, try sticking to socks made from cotton blends that allow ventilation throughout the day.
See a doctor about pain or fungi. If you begin to experience any pain, notice severe odor problems, itching, or thickening of the nails, go see your doctor or a podiatrist immediately. Treatments range from prescribed shoes, prescription drugs, therapy, or even surgery. It is best to take care of a developing affliction early in order to avoid serious consequences. Those who suffer from diabetes should examine their feet regularly for wounds and may need to get their nails cut by a medical professional.
Relax. Remember that proper rest is good for every part of the body. Lay back and put your feet up once in a while. Lack of stress can have all sorts of benefits for your body.
Your feet take you everywhere you want to go. Give them the care and attention they deserve by keeping them clean and choosing your footwear carefully. You can do wonderful things for your feet by making slight adjustments to the things you do everyday. Stick to these simple tips in order to keep your feet in top-notch shape.
Both Anna Stenning & Stephanie Larkin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Anna Stenning has sinced written about articles on various topics from computers and the internet, Management and Wedding Gifts. Anna Stenning has visited Korea and has experienced their traditional system. For more information please visit. Anna Stenning's top article generates over 4090000 views. to your Favourites.
Stephanie Larkin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Marketing and Bahamas Vacation. About Author:Stephanie Larkin is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about beauty and personal care as well as personal care products such as the. Stephanie Larkin's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.