Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Keep your house warm
• Method 2 of 3: Stay warm when you are indoors
• Method 3 of 3: Stay warm when you are outside
• Necessities

If you want to stay warm at home, on the way to work, or even when playing in the snow, good preparation is important. The cold solutions below are for indoor or outdoor use and can keep you warm without spending a lot of money. Whether you're eating hot soup or insulating your floor, there are many things you can do to make sure you don't freeze during the cold winter months.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Keep your house warm

1. Make your heating work more efficiently. Move your furniture so that it is not in front of the heating. Choose curtains that are not hanging in front of the radiators. Also, do not place any objects on the heater itself. Instead, install window sills if you can, so that the warm air from the heater doesn't rise upward, making it warmer in your house.
   • It is even better to put a layer of heat-reflecting radiator foil behind your heater. If your heater is mounted on an outside wall, the heat will be reflected back into the room by the foil, instead of being absorbed by the wall itself.
2. Cover wooden or tiled floors with carpeting or rugs. Floor covering is a good way to insulate your floors. If you like the look of a wooden floor, buy a rug for the winter. Uncovered wood retains less heat than a nice, warm rug. In fact, 10% of heat loss in homes is caused by uninsulated floors.
3. During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let the sun shine in. Close them immediately when the sun sets so that the heat stays in your house.
4. Purchase curtains with thermal lining. If you'd like to keep your current curtains, buy a thermal liner from your local fabric or interior design store. Attach a layer to the back of your curtains with self-adhesive Velcro, then remove the liner again in the spring. If you don't have the money for new curtains, you can line them yourself with cheap fleece or other cheaper materials.
   • You can hang curtains in front of doors or smaller windows so that you are even better protected against the cold.
5. Watch out for drafts. The letterbox in your front door might let in the cold; so post something in front of it and look for an alternative way to continue to receive your mail. You can of course also apply a flap on the inside or a letterbox brush. If you have an unused chimney, get a chimney balloon that will stop the cold from the outside and prevent heat from being lost inside. In addition, if you often walk outside to have a smoke or if people often walk in and out with you, make sure to leave the door open for as short a time as possible.
   • If you want to tackle the problem in a more original way, you can even purchase a draft stopper or make your own. This is a filled piece of cotton that you place against the bottom of your door to keep out the cold. Sometimes they are shaped like a dachshund or have cute patterns such as stars or hearts. A draft stopper is therefore also a beautiful decorative element in your home.
6. Close the doors of rooms you are not using. If you have a larger house with one or more rooms that you don't use regularly (such as a guest bedroom), closing the room doors will help keep the rest of your house warm. The warm air circulating through your house will then not enter the unused rooms.
7. Consider insulating your home yourself. Having a professional company insulate your home can be expensive, but you can also do this yourself if you prepare well. This can have a significant effect on the indoor temperature. For example, you can use rolls of foam rubber, rock wool, glass wool and recycled paper products. Just be sure to wear safety goggles or a face mask, as well as protective clothing when you get started.
8. Buy a warmer comforter. Buying a down comforter, flannel bedding, and some extra blankets and pillows can go a long way in helping you stay warm while you sleep. Even though this will immediately cost you some extra money, you will see that you do not have to set the thermostat as high at night as you normally do.
9. Turn off the fans in the bathroom. Fans in your bathroom and in your kitchen draw in warm air that rises to the ceiling and let this air disappear to the outside. This is of course the last thing you want if you want to stay warm. If you do use them, only do this when you really need to.
10. Try to rearrange your furniture. You may not know this yet, but the way you have arranged your furniture can keep you cold. Do not place furniture directly in front of a large window or against an outside wall. You will be colder when you sit on it than when the furniture is in a more central, warmer place in your house.

Method 2 of 3: Stay warm when you are indoors

1. Heat yourself, instead of the room. If you want to stay warm and save money on your electricity bill at the same time, get an electric blanket or heating pad that you can sit on or wrap around when lying on the couch or working on your computer. This will not only save money but can also prevent power outages in cold regions where everyone uses their thermostat.
   • You can also buy reasonably efficient heating pads that are actually intended for outdoor pets. Place the heating pad on your seat and then place a wool blanket over your lap to create a warmer environment.
   • Use a warm water bottle at night. You can find them on the internet for less than € 10.
   • Also, wear an extra layer of clothing, such as leggings under your pants or a wool sweater. This can help you a lot to stay warm in your own home.
   • Instead of turning up the thermostat, you can turn it on earlier so that your house has time to heat up. You may now want to make it warmer than necessary because you want your house to be warm as soon as possible.
2. Eat and drink soup and tea regularly. Hot water and broth will warm your hands when you hold the bowl or cup. Then they heat your body from the inside for half an hour. Drink a cup of tea in the morning to warm up after you get up and have soup with your lunch or dinner.
3. Eat nuts. A high content of proteins and healthy fats stimulate your blood circulation. People with low iron levels in their blood should be careful to eat foods rich in protein to improve their circulation.
   • You can also toss some ginger into your nut mixture. Ginger has been proven to stimulate your circulation and increase your body temperature.
4. Exercise. Movement also improves your circulation. Whether you exercise at home, at the gym or in the snow, if you do this for half an hour a day, your body will stay warmer inside and out. Even after you have finished exercising, your body temperature will be higher than normal.
5. Cuddle with your lover. When you're cold, just cuddle up on the couch with your loved one and stay close to each other for a while. Cuddling or touching someone will only raise your body temperature. You will soon not be cold anymore and you will notice that your body - and your heart - is getting warmer.
6. Take a warm bath. Studies show that your body temperature naturally drops when you get ready to go to bed. You can counteract this process by taking a nice warm bath a few hours before going to sleep to raise your body temperature. Taking a hot bath immediately before going to bed can make your body temperature too high, causing you to sleep restlessly.A warm bath a few hours before going to sleep should be sufficient.
7. Spend time with your friends. A study shows that if you are alone you have this literally colder and that spending time with your friends helps warm it up. The next time you have to choose between a date at home with your electric blanket and a day out with your friends, choose your friends if you want to stay warm.

Method 3 of 3: Stay warm when you are outside

1. Keep your body hydrated. The more hydrated you are, the better your body can control your body temperature. It's even better to drink a cup of hot green tea or herbal tea to warm up your body before going out.
2. Purchase good undergarments. Choose undershirts and leggings that absorb moisture from your skin. Synthetic layers are less thick and work better than wool or thick cotton.
   • If it has been a while since you bought new long underwear, there are several brands that have very comfortable and form-fitting garments in their collection that you can simply wear under your work or sports clothes.
3. Keep your feet dry. The best way to keep warm is to keep your body dry. Always wear waterproof lined boots when it rains or snows. Thick, protective socks can also make a big difference. If you know you will be out for a long time, bring an extra pair of socks in your jacket pocket - if your socks get wet, you will be cold the rest of the time you are out.
4. Wear mittens. These keep your fingers together so that your body heat is retained. With gloves, you can move your fingers less well and your circulation is also limited, so that your fingertips get colder. Despite that, it is better to wear gloves than not to cover your hands at all.
5. Heat your upper body. Buy a down jacket and wear a thick sweater. The warmer your upper body, the warmer your limbs will be. That's why putting on a few extra pounds is also a great way to stay warm during the winter.
   • When the temperature of your upper body drops, the circulation in your limbs decreases. If necessary, your body will freeze some fingers and toes to save your life.
6. Make sure to cover your skin as much as possible. Purchase a balaclava that covers most of your face and wear a hat, thick socks, and mittens. Uncovered areas of skin can quickly freeze. Forget that rumor that 70% of your body heat is lost through your head; instead, remember to cover as much skin as possible if you want to stay warm.
7. Buy an engine heater. If you need your car to go to work in the cold weather, spend a few bucks to connect it to your motorcycle at night. It is then more likely that your car will start in the morning or when you get out of work.

Necessities

• Rug / carpet
• Thermal lining
• Radiator foil
• Electric blankets / heating pads
• Hot water bottle
• soup
• Nuts / proteins
• Water
• Tea
• Long underwear
• Waterproof boots
• Mittens
• Wool coat
• Balaclava
• Engine heater