Be weather-wise and always stock up on food and personal items to combat the cold (blankets, dry clothes, shoes, socks, towels, etc.). According to the National Weather Service, 25% of weather-related fatalities occur when people don’t prepare for severe weather conditions.
2. Layer Up
As Dr. Greenway advises, “Anything that you can put on your body to cover yourself will help you not be affected by the cold.” You lose heat through conduction whenever your body comes into direct contact with something cold, like sitting on an icy surface. Wind also causes heat loss in this way. But you can prevent this by layering your clothing.
The base layer of long and thick underwear and wool socks will help reduce heat loss from conduction. The outer layer should be windproof and waterproof yet breathable, protecting you from heat loss through convection and evaporation.
3. Don’t Shiver
Shivering is indeed a warning sign that you’re too cold and need to get to a warmer place. When your skin temperature drops, shivering helps maintain your body temperature. The contraction, trembling, and loosening of muscles burn energy and generate heat to replace the heat your body is losing through conduction or convection. But this also means that once you start shivering, your brain is signaling that it’s time to move to a warmer environment.
So, while shivering can be beneficial during mild hypothermia, it becomes less effective as your body temperature drops further. This is because your body will eventually stop shivering when muscle contractions no longer produce heat. Consequently, as you get colder, shivering may even stop, causing your body temperature to drop even faster.
4. Eat Well and Stay Hydrated
Eating well—that is, consuming more energy than you burn—will better equip your body to cope with the cold. This is crucial to maintaining adequate blood sugar levels, which provide the energy needed to stay warm in cold weather.
Staying hydrated is also essential. Your body will withstand the cold better if it’s adequately nourished and hydrated.
5. Seal the Doors to Stay Warm
During the winter, keep your room warm by making sure the doors are closed tightly to block out drafts. Most people are aware of this, and you probably understand the effect of closing doors on retaining heat in a room.
Additionally, maintain a moderate temperature in the rooms of your home. Avoid making some rooms too hot and others too cold, as this will make you feel colder when you step outside.
6. Aromatherapy Massage
If you want to turn body warming into a relaxing experience, visit a spa for an aromatherapy massage. Massage stimulates blood circulation and metabolism, releasing tension in the muscles and joints.
7. Foot Bath
There is a symmetrical relationship between the feet and the body’s organs. Massaging any reflex zone on the feet can stimulate blood circulation, balance endocrine secretion, and promote the health of the corresponding body part. Foot baths are known as a “benefit inside and out” practice: they help restore energy in the winter, relieve sunstroke in the summer, aid digestion in the fall, and warm the body in the winter. As you may know, the soles of the feet contain numerous reflex points and blood vessels. A foot bath improves blood circulation, promotes overall health, and warms the body during winter.
8. Ginger and Rock Sugar Drink
Rock sugar not only enhances the flavor but also warms the body. Ginger contains gingerol, which stimulates the heart and blood vessels and can increase blood circulation, making the body feel warmer. The caffeine in oolong tea has a diuretic effect, and the red pigment in it warms the body. Grate a small piece of ginger, add it to a cup of tea, and stir. Adjust the amount of ginger and rock sugar to suit your taste.
9. Avoid Alcohol
Many people believe that a strong, hot drink can help them stay warm in freezing temperatures, but this is not true. While warm beverages do raise your body temperature and help you withstand the cold, alcohol does not fall into this category. Alcohol has no beneficial effects when consumed in the cold. Instead, it lowers your body temperature.
10. Use a Hot Water Bottle
Using a hot water bottle is an effective way to stay warm during the winter. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a heating system or worry about high electricity bills. You can use a hot water bottle to warm your bed before going to sleep. However, avoid overdoing it, as too much of anything can be harmful.
11. Exercise
Exercise not only improves your health and helps you achieve your desired physique, but it also makes you feel warmer. When you exercise, your body generates heat, making you feel warmer.
- Walking is one of the most natural and straightforward forms of winter exercise. When walking, take long strides and swing your arms vigorously. Don’t underestimate this simple activity, as it increases your overall activity level. Aim for a 20-minute walk each day. If you persist in walking briskly and taking long strides, you can still wear a skirt during the winter without feeling the chill.
- Yoga is another excellent way to stay warm: There are various types of yoga practices, including winter yoga, specifically designed to warm the body. Dedicating a little time each day to yoga will help you overcome the shivers. According to some experts, yoga can also benefit women’s reproductive health. It’s recommended to practice yoga two hours after eating. Be sure to warm up your joints and neck before starting and rest for about 30 minutes afterward before eating.
12. Acupressure
In reality, acupressure points are not as difficult to locate as we might think. For example, the union valley acupressure point is located in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. Try it: when you press lightly, do you feel a tingling sensation? If so, you’ve found the right spot. When you feel cold, alternately press and rub the union valley points on both hands to promote blood circulation.
13. Know Your Risks
Certain medications, such as those for high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, heart failure, and vasodilators, can make you more sensitive to cold weather. Age also affects the body’s ability to tolerate cold. Infants under two years old have not yet developed the ability to regulate their body temperature, and adults over 60 experience a reduced ability to generate heat. Be aware of these cases and prepare accordingly.
14. Psychology
According to scientific reports, psychological stress, such as family and work pressures, can negatively impact women’s blood circulation. When arguing about something, the body produces two types of stress hormones: adrenal corticosteroids and cortisol, which can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to poor blood circulation.
You’ve probably experienced this during previous winters—when you feel cold, it seems to get even colder. However, this is merely a psychological suggestion. So, to become a warm woman during the winter, it’s essential to work on your “psychological game” and not be afraid of the cold.
15. Adapt to the Cold
You can learn to adapt to cold weather. People who spend a lot of time outdoors and are frequently exposed to freezing temperatures develop a higher tolerance and actively respond to the cold.
According to researchers, the mechanism behind this adaptation is not yet fully understood, but a type of body fat called brown fat may play a crucial role. Unlike regular white fat, which stores excess calories, brown fat burns calories and releases energy as heat.
Newborns and hibernating mammals have high amounts of brown fat. Animal and human studies have shown that exposure to cold temperatures increases brown fat’s heat-generating capacity. Some studies also suggest that exposure to cold temperatures increases brown fat levels in the body.
Maintaining a healthy body weight also helps individuals cope with the cold. Being too thin can be a disadvantage in winter, as body fat helps insulate and warm the body.
16. Sleep Well
During winter, it’s advisable to go to bed early and wake up late. Health experts recommend sleeping by 10 p.m. and rising after the sun has risen to avoid the early morning chill and reduce temperature differences. For those who have to work night shifts, try not to stay up all night. At 1 a.m., the secretion of adrenal corticosteroids in the body is at its lowest. At this time, your resistance is particularly weak, and your skin cannot be properly nourished. If you consistently get inadequate rest, your body will not be able to withstand the cold effectively. On extremely cold days, hug a hot water bottle and go to bed early!
Notes
To stay warm during the winter, keep the following in mind:
- Pay attention to keeping warm areas prone to cold, such as the neck, ears, nose, hands, feet, and back. When going outside, wear a windproof jacket and a face mask.
- Eat nutritious meals, but avoid overeating at night, as this will overload your digestive system and hinder its function.
- Foods to avoid: White bread, french fries, carbonated drinks, yogurt, cold coffee, cucumbers, alcohol, excessive butter consumption, and drinking cold water after meals are not recommended in cold weather.
- Do not drink alcohol when going out in the cold to avoid the risk of stroke.
- Avoid consuming cold food and drinks straight from the refrigerator, as they can lower your body temperature.
- Maintain a regular exercise routine to stay warm, improve overall health, and prevent illnesses.
- Never burn charcoal, honeycomb charcoal, or leaves indoors for warmth, as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and brain damage.
- Do not bathe late at night, bathe for extended periods, or bathe in a drafty area.
Keeping your body warm during the winter is essential and achievable. The above tips on how to keep warm in the winter are highly effective, so be sure to try them out to stay cozy and avoid catching a cold!
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