The holidays may be over… but baby, it’s still cold outside!
Thankfully, there are plenty of methods to keep warm these days – and you usually only need one or two to stay cozy. So here are 8… just to be sure!
1. Warm yourself first.
Remember, it’s easier to raise your own body temperature than it is to heat up a room (or even a car). Don’t ignore this simple fact! Focus on yourself first, then your environment.
2. Stay bundled up.
This one’s obvious – wear layers and a hat, gloves, and scarf – so instead of an explanation, here’s a cool (hot?) fact about winter coats:
Up until the 18th century, men didn’t wear jackets – they wore capes instead! So, uh, now you know.
3. Enjoy warming drinks and food.
Image source: Country Living Magazine
Naturally, warming food and drinks are an easy (and delicious) way to stay warm. There’s even a little science here – and you don’t always need something warm to get the job done!
For example, coffee keeps you warm – but not for the reasons you think! The caffeine in coffee actually stimulates your metabolism, encouraging your body to burn fuel. Ginger and cayenne pepper get your blood flowing, which helps too. Peanuts contain B-3, which does both.
Oh, and here’s a tricky one: ice water will keep you warm. Why? Your body will raise its internal temperature when the ice-cold water is introduced. This lasts longer than the chill itself, so you end up warmer! (Just don’t drink too much…)
4. Don’t use alcohol to keep warm.
No. Wrong.
Bummer, right? Even though you do get a temporary feeling of warmth, it’s actually a net loss. When you drink, your blood vessels expand – drawing heat away from your organs. I guess we’ll just have to stick to iced peanut-pepper coffee…
5. Stay active.
This one’s the hardest on the list, but it also pays off the most! Finding ways to move around will help your body burn energy, plus it increases blood flow and improves metabolism. What’s not to love?
Hint: Jumping jacks warm you up quick, and you can do them indoors.
6. Want to save on heating bills? Get a Blaux Heater!
Blaux Heater is an exciting new innovation – and it’s the perfect segue between the “personal warming” section to the “space warming” section of this article… since Blaux Heater does both!
All you do is plug it in and wait while this small, yet powerful device provides faster, targeted heating for even the coldest corner of your home.
It’s much cheaper than turning up the heat and works great in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, offices, RVs, you name it!
Click HERE to check out Blaux Heater!
7. Insulate your home – and don’t forget the small spaces!
Your windows are probably already insulated, which is essential – but have you checked the keyhole in your door? A surprising amount of heat can escape if your keyhole is especially large. If you’re noticing higher heat bills, try checking the keyhole (and other small spaces, like pet doors).
Oh, and if you’re really serious, you can get a Thermal Leak Detector to seal up even the smallest spots.
8. Get your heating checked.
It’s essential to check your heating system annually. Getting a routine check is usually a phone call away, and you could save yourself a huge future repair bill by acting in advance! Most people wait until it’s too late… which can even be dangerous.
How about you? What tricks do you use to keep warm in the winter? Let us know in the comments below!