If your room is not clean it actually isn't too easy to sleep in. Since everyone feels satisfaction out of a clean room, don't you want to go to bed satisfied and relaxed? A comfortable bed can help you get to sleep faster. Invest in some good pillows, a good comforter, and comfortable sheets. If your mattress is old, then you might consider replacing it.  A good comforter is one that's comfortable for you. Everyone has different preferences. You may want to change your bedding with the seasons. For example, during winter, you may switch to cotton or jersey sheets, and add an extra blanket. You could also keep warm with a down blanket.  During summer, you might choose lighter weight options like cotton with a thread count between 250-500 or linen. Switch out the down comforter for a light-weight cotton alternative. If a dog, child, or partner is hogging the bed, make them move. You deserve your space. Light can trick your brain into staying awake. Turn off the lights and avoid using a nightlight. Block out light from outside with heavy blinds or curtains. If you use an alarm clock, turn it around so that it doesn't face you.  Don't sleep with the television on, as the flickering light will disrupt your sleep. If you get up during the night, keep the lights dim. Excessive noise can make it hard to go to sleep. Additionally, sudden or changing noises can wake you up. The best way to deal with noise is to use a white-noise machine, fan, or portable air purifier to create a consistent noise environment that is appropriate for sleeping.  You can invest in a white noise machine that offers different types of sounds that encourage sleep. However, a fan or a portable air purifier is often cheaper. You could also wear ear plugs. Keeping your bedroom cool helps you fall asleep more easily, as your body naturally cools down before sleep. How cool the room should be can vary depending on the individual, so choose a temperature that feels cool to you. Generally speaking, you'll be able to sleep best somewhere between 60 and 68 °F (16 and 20 °C).

Summary: Keep your room clean. Make your bed comfortable. Make sure your room is completely dark. Block out noise. Adjust the thermostat to a cool temperature.


The oil our faces naturally produce is called sebum. It's a beneficial oil that protects our skin and keeps it flexible and healthy. Washing it away too frequently results in your pores producing more oil to make up for what was lost. This overproduction is what leads to the appearance of oily skin. To prevent this from happening:  Wash your face (with oil) just once a day. If you need to remove oil in between washings, use blotting paper instead of washing your face. Moisturize your face after washing it. If your face gets too dry, your pores will produce oil to make up for it. It may take a few days of using this new routine for your face to balance out. Using soaps and facial cleansers in an attempt to get rid of your face's oil will cause your pores to produce extra to make up for it. Wean yourself off of your soap-based facial cleansers, especially those containing harsh cleaning agents like sodium laurel sulfate.  It's better to wash your face with plain water than to use a facial cleanser. Use the oil cleansing method when your face needs a deep cleansing. If you're worried about acne, use tea tree oil and other natural methods instead of resorting to harsh cleansers, which tend to irritate acne more. Choosing your makeup wisely is a big part of oil control. Caking on the makeup isn't going to solve the problem, so use it sparingly. Go for matte foundation and mineral powders to help absorb the oil and keep your face from looking shiny. While more research is needed, some evidence suggests that what you eat can play a role in the development of excess oil and acne. In particular, foods that encourage your body to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may also cause an increase in sebum.  Foods that increase IGF-1 levels include dairy products, like milk and cheese, and foods with a high glycemic index (GI), like breads, cereals, pastas, refined grains, potatoes, melons, pineapples, pumpkins, and snack foods.  On the other hand, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help clear your complexion. These include fatty fish, pastured eggs, soy products, spinach, nuts, and wild rice.

Summary: Wash your face less often. Don't use drying products. Use makeup that won't cause your face to produce more oil. Watch what you eat.


There are several main varieties of snowshoe, with designs and traction suited for different activities. Think about how you plan to use your snowshoe, and look for an appropriate design:   Recreational, trekking , or flat terrain snowshoes are designed for relatively flat terrain and prepared trails. They have some traction, but not much.  Hiking or rugged terrain snowshoes are a step up in durability and traction, good for occasional off-trail hikes but not lengthy or excessively steep off-trail expeditions.  Backcountry, climbing, or mountaineering snowshoes are good for camping trips and lengthy off-trail expeditions. Make sure the shoes have significant traction at both front and back if you plan on climbing steep slopes.  Racing, running, or aerobic snowshoes are for running over tightly packed snow trails, and are too light weight to use off trail. The more weight you carry, the longer and wider your snowshoe needs to be to support you. Weigh yourself while you are dressed in your winter outfit and carrying your typical pack of gear. If the snowshoes have a labeled weight limit, use them to narrow down your options. Otherwise, use these general rules of thumb for the most common snowshoe sizes:  Snowshoes sized 8 x 25 inches (20 x 64 cm) are usually suitable for weights between 120 and 180 pounds (54–82 kg). Snowshoes sized 9 x 30 inches (23 x 76 cm) can support weights between 160 and 220 pounds (73–100 kg). Snowshoes sized 10 x 36 inches (25 x 91 cm) are designed for weights above 200 pounds (91 kg). You may find two or three sizes of snowshoe that are appropriate for your weight. If you often travel through deep, powdery snow, go with a larger size for more support. If you prefer to stick to flattened trails or hard packed snow, select the smaller size for greater maneuverability. The binding that attaches the snowshoe to your boot should be a tight fit to keep you comfortable and steady during a hike. Besides the size of the shoe, there are two main factors that affect the binding:   Fixed bindings stay under your foot as you step, allowing for a comfortable stride and an easier time stepping over obstacles. Pivoted bindings fall away from your foot as you step, which keeps your legs relatively free of snow and may make climbing easier.  Snowshoes are usually labeled men's, women's, or youth, which may describe a different shape as well as a size. Try on snowshoes in multiple categories if you are having trouble finding a comfortable one. You won't usually get to choose the exact materials your snowshoe is built from, as the manufacturer selects materials it considers suitable for the snowshoe's intended purpose. However, if you're interested in deciphering product information, here are some tips to help you:  Most modern frames are lightweight aluminum; if "powder-coated", it will pick up less snow but may suffer from unattractive paint chipping. Wooden frames are more traditional, but also more likely to break. An especially lightweight snowshoe for on-trail use might not have any frame.  The "decking" material around the frame gives your snowshoe "flotation," or lift above the snow. This is typically a synthetic material, such as the flexible hypalon or the rigid composite plastic decking. Ask the manufacturer if you want to find out more about a specific material's characteristics.
Summary: Choose a snowshoe suited for your activity. Weigh yourself while carrying gear. Select the correct size of snowshoe. Choose between snowshoe sizes based on the snow type. Find a snowshoe with a comfortable binding. Learn about snowshoe materials.