The winter season is filled with so many wonderful activities and adventures, and you want to make sure you enjoy all winter has to offer. Of course, you want to do all of this while remaining toasty warm!
As the temperature begins to drop, one of the best ways to stay healthy during the winter is to stay warm. This is important as the chances of contracting a cold, the flu or more serious cold-related health conditions are more likely to happen during the winter months. Cold weather can also cause serious health problems, like pneumonia, heart attacks and depression.
Here’s our guide to keeping you warm during this winter season:
Dress In Layers
Dressing warmly and keeping your home well-heated is key to keeping your body temperature up this winter.
Before you go out into the cold to shovel the snow, go for a stress-relieving cross-county ski or shred it up on the ice, consider the following:
- Start with thermal underwear, warm tights, or socks.
- Layer-up with a hat, gloves, and scarf.
- Choose clothing made from wool or fleecy synthetic fibers such as polyester. Those fabrics are a better choice than cotton.
Layering-up will insulate your body and make it easier to regulate your body temperature. You can add or remove layers as needed, depending on how warm you feel in your space.
Keep Moving!
Besides warming up your space and wearing several layers, you can stay toasty by moving around! Not only will this generate heat to keep you warm, but staying active will keep you fit and healthy.
Keep as active as possible to boost your circulation. Move around at least once an hour and avoid sitting still for long periods. Even light exercise will help keep you warm. When you do sit down, put your feet up as it’s coldest nearest the ground.
Check out these activities that you can do in your home this winter:
- Circuit training
- At-home sports, such as table tennis
- Yoga
- Breathing exercises
Light exercise can help you to generate body heat and keep you warm. If possible, try to move around the house at least once an hour. If you are sitting down for long periods of time, use a blanket, electric heater or hot water bottle to keep you warm.
Eat and Drink Well
Eating well can help keep you warmer during chilly weather. As different foods can taker longer to digest, eating hearty meals can help to regulate your temperature and keep you warm. Eating regular meals can also help keep your energy levels up and generate body heat.
Think of delicious hot meals that can warm yourself from the inside, such as:
- Soup
- Stew
- Oatmeal
- Coffee or tea
Soup generally takes times to cook, and the simmering pot on the stove will generate heat in the kitchen. Not only will you heat yourself and your home, but the aromas can be very calming and soothing.
In addition to hot meals, you can apply the same principle of warming yourself from the inside with your beverage choices! Keep coffee, tea, cider, hot cocoa or your other favorite warm drinks on hand for when you're feeling cold.
Here’s our quick tips to keep warm during the colder months:
Food and Drink to Consume During Winter
- Soup
- Curry
- Stew
- Oatmeal
- Coffee
- Tea
- Really, anything hot!
Indoor Workout During Winter
- Circuit training
- At-home sports, such as table tennis
- Yoga
- Breathing exercises
Home Insulation Tips
- Seal cracks along your window frames, which can let in drafts and create heat loss
- Install weather stripping around doors and windows to eliminate air leaks
- Turn your ceiling fan on reverse mode to suck cold air upwards and push warm air that has risen to the ceiling back down
Winterize Your Home
Before you jump into your favourite winter activity, take the time to prepare your home for the colder months. It could save you time and money down the road.
Here are a few quick tips to keep your home warm during winter:
- Heat your main living room to around 21℃
- Heat your living areas during the day and your bedroom at night
- If your heating is on a timer, set the timer to come on before you get up so that the house is warm on awakening and to go off when you go to bed
- Close doors to rooms that are not in use to keep heat in the rooms you are using
- If possible, turn off heating to rooms that are not in use
- On nice sunny days, open your blinds during the day to capture sunlight and natural warmth
Having a home that is well-insulated can also help you stay warm and comfortable without increasing your energy bill. Part of being prepared for the cold weather means having proper home insurance in place. Contact your BrokerLink broker to make sure you’re covered before your home is covered in snow.
Our Guide to Keeping You Warm This Winter FAQs:
What should I eat or drink to keep my body warm in winter?
Eating nutritiously can help keep you warmer during chilly weather. As different foods can take longer to digest, eating hearty meals can help to regulate your temperature and keep you warm. Eating regular meals can also help keep your energy levels up and generate body heat.
In addition to hot meals, you can apply the same principle of warming yourself from the inside with your beverage choices! Keep coffee, tea, cider, hot cocoa or your other favorite warm drinks on hand for when you're feeling cold.
Does the cold weather weaken my immune system?
There are many reasons to believe that colder temperatures can affect your immune system. The chances are you’re not soaking in the sun as much as you do during the summer months, so you may be deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D has been linked to a strong immune system, so this could be a reason for a weakened immune system during the winter months. Luckily, you can find vitamin D in several popular food items, such as pork products, mushrooms, fish, cheese, and eggs.
Is it okay to lift weights during the winter season?
If you are lifting weights indoors, you can do so during any season. If you are lifting weights outdoors or in an un-heated garage, you should be cautious. Strenuous activity in cold weather can irritate the airways. Lifting weights is no exception and can cause damage to your health. It’s best to consult your doctor before doing any activity that will cause your heart rate to increase significantly in the cold.
