As the temperature falls it can be pretty tempting to crank the thermostat way up until your home or office is warm and toasty. However when you consider that nearly half the amount of energy you use in your home each year goes toward heating and cooling it, it may have you thinking of alternative ways to stay warm before you reach for that knob. You don't have to keep your house at a temperature suitable for polar bears to be energy-efficient, but you can keep your room temperature reasonable by dressing appropriately - yes, even in your own house.

Hopefully you won't require a down jacket while inside, but consider the following head-to-toe requirements the next time you start to get chilled.

Hat
You probably don't need the world's warmest toque when you're inside, but if your ears are feeling a bit cool, a nice light hat will keep them warm without making you too warm. Also, because you can lose substantial heat through your head, logically keeping it covered should help you feel warmer all-around.

Long-sleeved shirt
Obviously if you're sitting around your house or the office, a material that wicks moisture away from your skin during strenuous activity probably isn't necessary. Look for a plain thermal shirt for ultimate comfort and warmth. If you need something office-appropriate, a cotton shirt in whatever level of dressiness is require for the work environment is fine, just make sure it looks nice on it's own without the need for anything on top of it.

Sweater
Or a hoodie, take your pick. Just make sure it's comfortable and cozy. If you find you're always cold at the office, keep a warm sweater on a hook behind or your door or in a discreet corner so it's there anytime you feel the shivers coming on. Layer this over your long-sleeved shirt.

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Staying green in the winter presents some challenges, as the colder weather means more time is spent indoors. The thermostat goes up, the television may be on more often and the stove and oven are used consistently. So how does remain eco-friendly? We've spent the past week showing you some way.

☆ Layering your clothing even while indoors may mean you aren't as likely to turn up the heat to warm up.

☆ If you're trying to avoid the issue of your TV sucking tons of energy, consider an alternative, winter-friendly activity instead.

☆ Using a programmable thermostat will prevent your house from being heated - even when no one is it it.

☆ Why is wool one of the most commonly-used materials during these months? We give you some reasons.

☆ Fight the winter blues using natural methods.

☆ Make sure your four-legged friends as warm and toasty as you this season.

» Ecollo (Wintergreen)

In the 1980s, U.S. doctor Norman E. Rosenthal noticed he became sluggish during the winter months after he moved from  South Africa to New York. In 1984, Rosenthal came out with his theory of Seasonal Affective Disorder, more commonly known as SAD or the winter blues. There has been an awareness of SAD for over 150 years, however Rosenthal was the first to put a name to it and experiment with different light therapies as a possible treatment.

The simplest explanation of SAD is that weather has the ability to influence our moods. During winter, the days are shorter and the lack of sunlight can make us prone to depression. Experts believe it may be due to our bodies instinctively wanting to sleep when it is dark outside which throws our internal clocks out of sync. Though there are different variations of SAD, such as summer SAD, usually those who suffer from it only experience it for a season and start to feel normal again once the season begins to change.

The bad news is that SAD can be hard to diagnose as it shares many symptoms with other types of depression, as well as more serious conditions such as bipolar disorder. The symptoms of winter SAD can include any one or more of the following: weight gain, lack of energy, fatigue, a craving for starchy or sweet foods, difficulty concentrating, oversleeping, irritability and feelings of anxiety. Typically these feelings begin to dissipate upon the arrival of spring.

Though light therapy (sitting next to a special light box that emulates UV rays each day) is a common treatment for SAD, there are other natural (and easy!) ways to relieve the effects.

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One of the least favorable aspects of winter is the shorter days. Less sunlight can contribute to a whole host of problems. For one thing, it can contribute to depression. Another side effect is feeling a level of tiredness not experienced during the warmer months when the days are longer and unfortunately the effects of this can filter into other areas of your life such as work performance. After all, it's hard to do your best when you're feeling lethargic.

Fortunately there are natural ways to combat exhaustion and help you perk up throughout your day - and hopefully prevent you from feeling like it's time to go to bed at 6:30 p.m.

Exercise
It probably sounds cliche and completely obvious, but physical activity can help you feel more alert. A study released earlier this year showed that sedentary people can increase their energy levels by 20 per cent and reduce fatigue by 65 per cent with consistent, low-intensity exercise.

Take a walk
Fresh air can act as an instant pick-me-up and have you feeling more alert than any cup of coffee will ever. Instead of staying at your desk or in the lunchroom for your entire break, take a few minutes to head outdoors. Alternatively, use your coffee break to spend a few minutes outside if lunchtime doesn't work for you.

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Adding some green to your winter by turning down the thermostat, layering your clothing and heading outdoors for a winter walk are great ideas, however you'll want to ensure all members of your family are well-prepared. In this case, we're referring to the family members of the four-legged variety.

Even though dogs have built-in fur coats, you still want to ensure they are properly equipped for the sudden change in temperature. Maybe you're one of those people who has sworn up and down the your dog will never be one of "those dogs" adorned in a dog sweater or jacket, however if you wrestle your mutt into one, remember that you're doing it for their own health and safety, not necessarily because you feel compelled to put them in attire that matches your own.

Economic times are tough, but if you feel the need to splurge, check out the Italian Fleece Hoodie or the Great Canadian Parka, both from Olive. Let's be realistic though, most of us don't have $185 to blow on a coat for our pooches. After all, if you'll barely spend that on one for yourself, it's pretty much impossible to justify doing so for the family member that sleeps in the laundry room and occasionally drinks out of the toilet.

In that case, try one of the fleece dog coats from Earth Doggy. Even the most expensive ones are less than one-third of the price and they come in a wide range of designs and sizes to suit even the most discerning canine tastes.

Don't forget to make sure your dog's paws are protected when it gets really cold and snowy outside, since paws can become injured from ice, gravel and salt or just from cracking. Your dog will almost assuredly hate being stuffed into winter dog boots, but one after having to walk on an infected paw until it heals, they would thank you for your caution if it were possible.

» Earth Doggy

Let's be honest, talking about how much energy an oven consumes so close to Christmas is almost pointless since it's almost inevitable that the amount of baking will increase. And even once the holidays are over, staying away from your oven during the winter months is a difficult, if not near impossible task since the cooler temperatures pretty much invite warm meals onto your table.

If giving up your oven entirely this time of year isn't an option (and with the rare exceptions, when is it?), take advantage of all the heat it produces. Once you've made your cookies, finished roasting your main dish or heated your dinner, leave the oven door open and let the escaping heat warm the room. You could even turn the thermostat down a degree or two if the layout of your house will allow the heat to spread to other rooms.

» Wikipedia