Tips to make you more comfortable in winter

Disclaimer: I received the featured Jumper in exchange for this post, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful….actually, in this current economic cost of living crisis, many of us aren’t warming our homes as we once would have. Fires aren’t being lit, and thermostats are either turned off or right down.

We’ve all realised that heating an entire house isn’t always possible, especially if, like me, you are home alone most of the day, then it is pointless warming all the rooms when I am using one of them.

Of course, it doesn’t mean you must sit there freezing because the heating is turned off. There are many ways to help ensure you are comfortable.

Tips to make you more comfortable in winter

 

Wear layers

Layering up is the key to staying warm in winter. This goes for whether you are indoors or outdoors.

You should choose thin layers of clothing which can easily be taken off if temperatures rise, such as wool or polyester layers next to your skin, and fabrics that trap air, such as fleece, down, or synthetic insulation materials like synthetic insulation.

You could wear a vest and T-shirt or long-sleeved top and then team it with a jumper or cardigan for when you are indoors. As you move around, you are likely to get warmer, so you can remove the top layers as needed.

If I am sitting on the sofa working on my laptop then I am barely moving so these layers stay on, however, when I am cleaning the house due to the amount of movement I overheat so can remove my outer layers. Hoovering the entire house, no matter how cold it is, calls for me to overheat, remove clothing and crack open a window for a while (perimenopause has a lot to play in this, too!).

I am really loving this Lightweight Fleece top I received recently from LandsEnd, which is perfect to wear on its on to to layer up with. It is so warm that when I wear it in the house, I don’t need any additional layers, and it dries super quickly, too, so I can wash and wear it the next day if I want to. It comes in lots of different colour options and priced at just £30 I may need to add a few more to my wardrobe.

Wear An Extra Pair of Socks:

If you plan on being outside for any time, then wearing an extra pair of socks can help keep your feet warm.

As long as you have the room in your shoes to do so, then this is a great way of adding an additional layer of protection against the elements, especially if you are wearing thinner footwear such as welly boots.

You may not notice much of a difference if you are just popping into the shops, but if you are going to be outside for any length of time, this does help. My children recently took part in our local Cavalcade of Light – this is where our town’s Christmas lights are switched on, and there is a parade through town. It meant we all stood outside in the freezing cold for over 3 hours. By the time we got home again, we could barely feel our feet as we had forgotten to put on an extra pair of socks. We will NOT forget again next year, that’s for sure.

Remember Your Hat & Scarf:

As the majority of body heat escapes through your head, make sure you wear an insulating fabric such as wool or synthetic materials to ensure you remain warm without overheating.

Scarves also provide an added layer of protection from the elements and can also be pulled up over your face to help protect you from strong winds.

Utilising Blankets:

Though blankets are typically associated with indoor activities, they can also provide extra insulation against the cold when used outside. Consider investing in a heavy wool blanket or layering multiple quilts for added warmth if you plan on staying outside for prolonged periods, perfect for those football/rugby parents out there.

It is a great idea to keep a few of these in your car just in case you get stuck anywhere for a long time, such as a traffic jam on the motorway or a breakdown.

They are also great for kids who want to take a nap on the journey and can be placed over children when they are strapped into their car seats. Coats, especially thick padded ones shouldn’t be worn in car seats or with seatbelts because they reduce the tension of the seatbelts. You can not pull them tight enough to a child’s body so if you were to have a crash there would be too much movement in the belt to hold the child, or adult, firmly in place.

Curtains & Draft Excluders:

If your windows allow draughty air in, try hanging some thick curtains to keep the room insulated during winter. Ensure they fit tightly against each window pane so no drafts pass through, and choose blackout curtains, which reduce heat loss while keeping out light for sleeping purposes.

You can also hang curtains across your front door to keep the warm air in and use draft excluders on doors and your letterbox.

Make Use of Rugs & Carpets:

Floors can be one of the primary sources of cold air in your home. By adding rugs to your wooden flooring you can help to insulate a room more effectively.

Tiled flooring also makes a room feel colder, especially if you are walking around barefooted, by adding rugs it will help to give a warmer feel to the room as your feet will not be freezing.

I have a tiled kitchen which always feels freezing underfoot, carpeting this area isn’t an option but I have added a few spot rugs to places where I stand still for periods of time – by the hob and the sink and it has helped greatly.

 

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