Creative Ways to Stay Warm During the Coldest Months

Cook

One of the most deliciously creative ways to stay warm? Cooking! Cooking, baking, and bustling around the kitchen keep you warm both because you’re active and the oven or stove heats up the kitchen. You can even benefit from the oven’s heat after you turn it off by leaving the oven door open while it’s cooling down.  And of course, you get to enjoy the rewards of your labor when you’re done.

Eat for Warmth

So what kind of food should you be cooking? Experts recommend eating extra healthy fats when it’s cold to “rev up” the metabolism, which, in turn, heats up the body. Spicy food and hearty, warming food like soups and stews also help body temps.

Enjoy a Hot Drink

There’s nothing quite as comforting as coffee, hot chocolate, or spiced apple cider on a cold day. The steam warms your face, and just holding the cup can keep your hands warm. But did you know that there’s even more to why a hot drink warms you up? Researchers have found that there are actually heat receptors (called thermoreceptors) located in the abdomen. So if you feel like that cup of hot chocolate is warming you up from the inside, it’s not just your imagination

Block Drafts

Don’t let that cold air in! Use a draft stopper to keep the cold air outside where it belongs. A draft stopper can be a simple fabric tube filled with an insulating material like batting, uncooked rice, or newspaper. You can even make an under-the-door draft stopper by tucking a pool noodle split lengthwise under the door.

Dress Warmly

When you have to brave the cold outside, don’t forget your hat and scarf! Hats that cover your ears are warmest. Keep your legs and feet warm by opting for wool socks, boots, and even legwarmers. Dress in layers so if you do get too warm, you can adjust easily. If you find yourself switching from indoors to outdoors often, or feel like bulky jacket sleeves get in your way, try a warm vest. Keeping your core warm with a down or quilted vest helps lock in your body’s heat.

Bring the Heat

Bring warmth with you outdoors by carrying hand warming packs in your pockets or mittens. And when you get home, microwaveable aromatherapy neck warmers can quickly warm you back up.

Get Together with Friends

Hear us out on this one! Scientists call activities that promote a positive social connection – like having dinner with friends or your family or going on a date – psychologically warm activities. And when you experience psychological warmth, your perception of physical warmth increases. So while they may not actually change your physical state, those “warm fuzzy feelings” you get when you spend time with the people you love may make you feel warmer.

Migrate!

Yes, we’re considering travel to be among the most creative ways to stay warm! And we’ve got the top eight places to spend your winter months until spring comes back again.

Whatever you’re doing to keep warm, make sure you’re staying safe. If you use space heaters or your fireplace to help heat your home, keep anything flammable (bedding, rugs, furniture) at least three feet away from the heat source. Don’t leave fires unattended and always turn off heaters before you leave the house. Stay warm, and remember that spring will be here soon!