Written 4/30/2024
Hello Dear Readers,
After a delightful break, it’s refreshing to be back in the comfort of our home. As invigorating as our getaway was, there’s a unique pleasure in returning to familiar surroundings and the daily rhythms of life. There’s nothing quite like the first night back in your own bed, complete with your favorite pillow and the comforting heft of a weighted blanket. Plus, it’s a relief to wake up on my own terms, without the early morning serenades from roosters, which was charming but less than restful!
Despite the fun and adventure, I did find myself missing the comforts of home, especially the way we manage the temperature indoors. This isn’t about how the weather back in Tennessee was any better but how we regulate our indoor climate, which stands out particularly during travels. Whether we’re headed to places known for their sweltering summers, like Florida or Tennessee, public places often seem to overcompensate with their air conditioning. This has been a consistent discomfort for me. I struggle with regulating my body temperature—too chilled indoors and overwhelmed by the heat outside.
My wife firmly believes that such extreme fluctuations in temperature aren’t just uncomfortable but could be harmful to our health. She argues that frequent, sharp changes in temperature force our bodies to adjust, potentially straining our autonomic nerves constantly. This concern is more than theoretical for us; following a stroke I experienced, maintaining a steady, “natural” temperature has become essential for my comfort. My wife’s approach to managing our home’s environment—keeping it at a steady 65°F (about 18°C) in winter and a mild 74°F (around 23°C to 24°C) in summer—has been a blessing. It has made me particularly sensitive to and appreciative of our home’s stable climate.
I find the stark contrast between the overly chilled interiors of many public spaces during summer and the excessively heated ones in winter increasingly troublesome. While businesses might think they are providing relief from the outside temperatures, the severity of the indoor cooling can be quite jarring. This is particularly poignant for someone like me, whose ability to adapt to temperature changes has been compromised.
Our recent vacation was yet another reminder of the value of the carefully controlled climate we’ve cultivated at home. It underscores how significant seemingly mundane aspects of our environment are to our comfort and health. As we resume our regular life, I am grateful not only for the experiences and memories we gathered while away but also for the renewed appreciation for the tranquility and stability of our home.
In conclusion, while vacations are a wonderful escape from the norm, they also sharpen our awareness of the comforts and conveniences of our everyday lives that we often take for granted. Returning home has not only given me back my comfortable sleeping arrangements but also renewed my gratitude for our ability to control our living environment, keeping it as welcoming and healthy as possible.