Baby It’s Cold Outside – Keeping Warm This Winter

Today the legendary Christmas Markets open in Manchester and, after a long summer and a relatively mild start to autumn, the temperate is finally starting to drop. It seems like as soon as November hits, the temperature dives, the rain begins to fall, we all turn our heating on and spend time searching for our hats, scarves, and gloves. You might have got your big coat out of storage, and you may have already spent mornings de icing your car, or creeping out of bed slowly, not wanting to step into the cold. 

Unless you want to move across the world, there’s not much that you can do to avoid winter. But that doesn’t mean that you just have to put up with being cold. You might want to stay indoors in the warm as much as possible, but it’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to stay in all of the time. When you do have to go out, keeping warm will help you to stay as comfortable as possible, as well as boosting your mood, preventing circulation problems, and skin issues as a result of exposure to cold air and avoiding winter coughs and colds. Here are some ways that you can keep warm this winter. 

Layer Up

When it’s cold, even being outdoors for a short time can be uncomfortable. One of the best ways to keep warm is by wearing multiple layers instead of one thick layer. Dress in layers, like a vest, long-sleeved t-shirt, jumper, coat, long socks, trousers, and even add thermals when it’s very cold. Layers trap air, which warms near to your body. But, they also give you the option to remove some if you get hot. 

Invest in a Good Coat and Boots

You don’t need to wear expensive clothes to be warm. But, if you have money to spend, the best places to invest are on a thick, waterproof coat and tall, waterproof boots. These are the items that will offer you the most protection from the cold and wet when the weather is bad. Invest in the best that you can afford, sales shopping to save money, and they’ll last for more than one winter. 

Keep Moving

Another easy way to keep warm is by moving. We feel the cold more when we are stood still. If you have to wait outside, move. Jog or jump on the spot, walk up and down, stamp your feet, and clap your hands together. When we move, we work our muscles and make our hearts pump blood faster, both of which warm our bodies. 

Enjoy a Hot Drink

Hot drinks are an excellent way to warm your insides up, and a hot cup will also warm your hands and face. Buy yourself a travel mug or flask, and take a hot drink with you when you leave the house in the morning. Refill it before you leave work, or buy a coffee out, and ask for it to be put in your flask. 

Laugh

Laughter boosts your circulation, releases endorphins, and takes your mind off the cold. Spend time with friends, or listen to a funny podcast when you are outside in poor weather. 

If you suffer from seasonal depression, which many of us do, keeping warm might not be the only thing that you should do. Look at getting more vitamin D, consider SAD lights, to help you to deal with your symptoms, and see your doctor if you are really suffering, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. 

Get Your Boiler Serviced

Being cold when we’re outdoors is bad. But, worse, is coming home to a cold house and being unable to warm up. This can mean that we can’t rest and relax, that we struggle to sleep, and that we can’t enjoy being at home. 

Most boilers break down when the first icy spell hits, and we need them the most. They haven’t been used much for months, and suddenly they are under immense pressure. Get Plumbers in, have your boiler serviced, check and bleed radiators, and make sure that your home can keep warm, no matter what is going on outdoors. 

Take Care of Your Car

Once you’ve left the house, your next stop might be your car. Have your heating system serviced and repairs made if needed, so that you can be warm while you travel. It’s also a good idea to keep blankets, waterproofs, and supplies like a map, torch, phone charger, and water in the car, just in case you break down and are stuck away from home in bad weather.