Anchorage Daily News

At 10 below, with 5½ hours of daylight, the city is deep into its most extreme season. Brief clear days bookended with Technicolor sunrises and sunsets may be picturesque, but the cold is raw, the air dry and the darkness heavy.

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As we head into winter's coldest week so far, with temperatures in some parts of town dipping to more than 20 below, we asked experts about ways to ease the effects of extreme weather on our lives.

What they had to say might surprise you.

-- Julia O'Malley Anchorage Daily News

Don’t leave the car running

For those who park outside, warming a car for a long time might seem like a good idea, but it’s actually hard on cars at extreme temperatures, said Bruce Lee at Arctic Import Repair. Leaving a car idling in the cold can build up condensation and water in the oil system. That leads to acid formation and freezing later on, he said. Idling with the heater running, especially with the lights and radio on, drags on the battery. He recommends keeping cars plugged in and then letting them warm for only about 10 minutes before driving. Driving, not idling, is the best way to warm the engine. He also recommends frequent oil changes in the winter, and making sure coolant is suitable for temperatures of 35 to 40 below.

Brush it, lube it

Your skin, that is. Jen Bersch at Salon Davinci recommends using a natural bristle body brush on dry winter skin before a shower. Afterward, hydrate skin with raw cocoa butter, shea butter or coconut oil. Body brushes and the nut butters and oils are available at natural food stores. They can be brushed through hair for conditioning as well.

Get fishy with it

Six ounces of Alaska salmon or two to four capsules of fish oil a day helps with mood, improves circulation, stems inflammation and eases dry hair, skin and eyes in the wintertime, said Torrey Smith, a naturopathic doctor at Avante Medical Center.

Open the curtains

Window covering is an important way to keep in the heat, but keeping curtains constantly closed can lead to condensation and freezing on windows, according to Michael Packard, housing rehabilitation coordinator with the city. Open curtains during the day.

Store-bought tears, shades

Car heaters, dry electric radiators and low humidity lead to a spike in dry-eye complaints from patients at opthamologist Jan Nyboer’s office. Having dry eyes can exacerbate problems from headaches to infections. Nyboer recommends keeping eye drops called “artificial tears” on hand and using them liberally throughout the day, the way some people might use Chapstick. He also stressed that eye protection, in the form of sunglasses and goggles, is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.

Chill out

Stress and lack of sleep are bad for circulation because the body, in an adrenaline response, shuttles blood to the core and away from the extremities, Smith said. Chill out and you’ll be warmer.

Maybe a fire isn’t such a good idea

Fireplaces do generate heat, but they can also draw cold air into the house, especially when they die down and homeowners forget to close the damper. If you don’t use your fireplace, Packard said, you can use insulation board to stop the draft.

Protect it

Protect your face for outdoor exercise with a zinc-based lotion that will create a barrier from the cold and won’t sweat off, said Bersch. In a pinch, a little Vaseline on the cheeks or other exposed skin will do the same, said Annette Hewitt, a nurse practitioner at Alaska Family Medicine Associates.

Do the D

People living through Alaska winters tend to have low levels of vitamin D because of lack of sunlight, which has an impact on mood, among other things. Smith advises people to have their D levels tested. In general, he says, adults can take up to 2000 IU a day, along with a multiple vitamin that includes vitamin K. Hewitt said vitamin D is also important for children and recommends giving them 400 IU a day.

Eye the attic

Attic hatches are serious culprits when it comes to loss of indoor heat. Make sure your hatch is closed and insulated, Packard said.

Fight the dry

Dry weather is bad for colds and flus, Hewitt said. A humidifier is essential, but it has to be kept clean. Hewitt also recommends upping water intake when the temperatures drop (especially for those who exercise outside). For people who usually suffer from sinus trouble, she said to use saline nasal spray. And for everyone, hand washing is the best way to keep healthy, she said.

Try wool on for size

Go with wool long underwear instead of synthetic for exercise in the deep cold, says Katie Gilbert, a manager at Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking. Moisture evaporates from synthetic underwear, causing cooling. Same goes with glove liners (though Gilbert says mittens are better). And for the best outer layer in subzero temps, make sure at least the front is windproof, she said.

Try it spicy

Smith pushes warming foods containing ginger and cinnamon to take the chill off, as well as spicy foods like Asian soups or wasabi, which increase and thin mucus flow, helping to flush out bacteria and viruses.

Have a balaclava

It’s head wear, recommended by everyone from skiers to doctors. Made of fleece or wool, it covers your face except for your eyes and can make a huge difference for people who are exercising outside in below zero temperatures. Available at most gear stores for about $20.

Post your cold weather stories and remedies in the comments below

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