Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Stay warm outside
• Part 2 of 2: Stay warm indoors
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Brrr! When the temperature has dropped below freezing in winter, living and working is sometimes no fun. But with some clever tricks you can keep yourself warm, no matter how cold it is outside.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Stay warm outside

1. Wear an undercoat. This is an easy way to stay warmer, and you don't have to do much to get it. An underlayer is a clothing layer that you wear under your regular clothes. This underlay can take many forms, each of which will keep you nice and warm. And that without adding too much bulk and without needing extra steps.
   • Commonly used underlayers include: leggings, tights, a thermal shirt, and thermal underwear.
   • It is important to remember that this underlay can be difficult if you are in a warm area. If you are aware of this, you may want to choose a different solution.
   • Take off your thermal clothes after skiing. If they are opaque, they are not suitable apres ski wear.
2. Choose a waterproof layer. If you know that there is a risk of getting wet, it is important to choose a waterproof layer to stay warm. If the water penetrates your clothes, your clothes will only cause you to get colder. Wet conditions include rain, snow, and mist (such as when you are on a boat, or when there are many puddles on the ground).
   • For example, you can choose to put on a raincoat over a warm, but not waterproof jacket. When buying jackets, look for materials that are very waterproof and warm, such as neoprene.
3. Wear a layer that retains the heat. In addition to wanting to stay dry, you will also want to choose clothes that retain the heat. You've probably heard about fleece, but not everyone swears by it. Find out what other options are available to you when you go shopping.
   • If possible, opt for wool. This is one of the best insulating materials, but unfortunately can be quite expensive. You can also choose woolen clothing to avoid having to put on or buy too many clothes. It doesn't necessarily have to be a jacket. In the thrift store you can find a lot of woolen clothes.
   • Other warm fabrics are, for example, lined leather, fur and neoprene.
   • Wool keeps you warm, even when it gets wet. This does not apply to most other materials such as leather and quilted cotton.
4. Cover your body parts. It's not true that you lose X percent temperature through your head, feet, or whatever, but if you don't cover those parts of your body, you can't get warm. When you're outside, make sure your head, hands, and feet are covered. Opt for a scarf, a hat, gloves, thick socks, and sturdy shoes / boots. You can also wear two pairs of socks on top of each other, or wear leggings / tights / thermo pants under your jeans. You probably don't look very trendy, but at least you are nice and warm.
   • It is important to ensure that all of these garments are waterproof. In these places you will get wet the fastest, and therefore get cold faster. If you can, opt for lined leather gloves, for example.
5. Protect yourself from the weather. If you have to go outside, try to avoid rain, snow, puddles, ice, and wind as much as possible. If you come into contact with these things too close, you will get cold more quickly. Your clothes and your body can generally tolerate the air temperature well. Move quickly from one building to the other, choose the car, and try to walk under a shelter when you are outside.
6. Bring warmers. You can take small heat sources with you if you find it difficult to keep yourself warm. Little things, like reusable hand warmers, can give that extra bit of warmth when your gloves alone aren't enough. You can also opt for a thermos with soup, coffee or tea. That way you get nice and warm inside.
   • If you can't find hand warmers anywhere, you can easily make them yourself. There are several websites that explain how to do this and where you can find the necessary ingredients.
   EXPERT TIP

   Wear clothes that fit well. We know you want to look attractive, but there's a reason Eskimos wear those big coats and baggy pants. If your clothes are tight, then you cannot get warm. So if you want to stay warm, choose to wear clothes that are a little loose. This creates a protective layer of warm air between your clothes and your skin, protecting you from the elements outside.

7. Exercise to get extra warm. If your clothes themselves don't seem to be able to keep you warm, use your body to generate heat. Movement causes you to burn energy, which can be expressed in the form of heat. Try to move, or at least not sit still.
   • Jumping Jacks, for example, are a good method. Just make sure that when you are outside, you are not standing on a slippery surface. Otherwise, opt for small lunges. The chance that you will slip is much smaller with lunges.

Part 2 of 2: Stay warm indoors

1. Wear several layers so you can adapt to different environments. The easiest thing you can do to stay warm both indoors and out is to wear several layers. Feel free to ask people who live in the colder parts of the world such as Alaska and Norway: opt for layers. This way you can wear one outfit that enables you to arm yourself against the cold outside and the heated heat of the office.
   • For example, an outfit may consist of tights, jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a shirt, a sweater, and a jacket. Wearing all of these, or a combination of them, makes it easy to switch to endure a boiling hot classroom, an icy office, a neutral supermarket, and the hellish cold outside.
2. Insulate your home. Make sure your home is insulated as well as possible. You may be able to choose to replace the insulation in the walls or ceiling. You can also take simpler steps, such as hanging curtains or hanging blankets over the windows.
   • Pleated blinds are also quite effective. They can keep the cold air out and are usually cheaper than curtains.
   • You can also choose to insulate windows and glass doors with foil.
3. Close off unused rooms and choose to heat one central room. It is often easier and cheaper to heat one room than it is to heat the whole house. Try to choose one particular room where your family can spend some time together, and keep the rest of the house away from it. Keep the doors closed and seal the room with blankets and the like. Bring all your heaters and other equipment to the one room you want to heat. That way you save a lot of effort. You concentrate on heating one room, and not on heating rooms where you will not be.
4. Close gaps that let in cold air. Pay close attention to holes and cracks that let in cold air. Also look for differences in how well certain rooms are insulated from each other. The most common gap is the one under the door. But it is also possible that drafts enter through the cellar or a window.
   • Carpet and blankets can be used to close these gaps.
5. Prepare your bed. You probably also want to make sure your bed is at least a little warm before you get into it. Nobody likes icy blankets and sheets. There are several ways to make sure your bed is ready for sleep. Try:
   • A jug that you put under the covers in the middle of your bed. Or put your blankets in the dryer for a minute or 10-20.
6. Bake cookies. Bake whatever. Your oven, when set to the average baking temperature of 180º Celsius, can also help make your room nice and warm and cozy. Stay close to your oven when preparing cookies, cakes, or a meal.
   • Doing your laundry can also ensure that rooms are heated. Make the most of your household chores and do your laundry when it's very cold. To make it even warmer, you can put on clothes that have just come out of the dryer.
7. Drink something warm. Whether that's a cup of lemon tea or a hot chocolate. Hot drinks can make you nice and warm inside. Put the kettle on and get the mugs. You will soon be nice and warm!
   • You may have heard that adding alcohol to your hot drinks will make it even warmer. However, this is not wise. Alcohol causes your body temperature to drop, even if you do get that "burning" feeling. If the house is insidiously cold, try to avoid alcohol.
8. Take a bath or shower. A warm bath or a hot shower can ensure that your body warms up comfortably. Will you be cold again in five minutes? Then grab yourself as best you can right after you shower. Choose your home suit, a bathrobe and your slippers. This way you ensure that your body retains the heat of the water.

Tips

• For extra protection you can choose to wear thinner gloves, but with mittens over them. Then if you have to do something precise with your fingers, they won't freeze off.
• Wear clothes that cover your ears so they don't stay cold.
• When you go to school, try to dress a little extra. That way you will always have enough clothes with you. It is not wise to be cold at school, after all you cannot go home to get extra clothes.
• Wear one (or more) pair of gloves.
• If you get too cold, go in immediately.
• If you go somewhere and you get cold, take a break. Before you move on (and have time), try to hide in a nearby building.
• When it snows or rains, make sure your shoes are waterproof. When your feet are cold and wet, it doesn't matter how well the rest of your body is covered and wrapped… You will still feel miserable!
• If you're going to be outside for an extended period of time, opt for hand warmers in your mittens, pockets, or gloves (they work best with mittens, as you can wrap your whole hand around them). They are inexpensive and available at most good sports shops.
• Boots are indispensable in winter. Try to get at least two pairs: a pair of waterproof snow boots for when it's wet; and a pair of warm, fashionable boots when it's dry but cold.
• Make sure you always have a heated place where you can go. You don't want to have to stay outside when the weather takes on extreme forms.
• Your brains are your own heating. Zip or button your jacket all the way, and breathe in and out. This will also provide you with some warmth. Mind you, your breath is damp, and can therefore cause the fabric to get a little wet. If it is extremely cold, you can also opt for a balaclava. A balaclava allows you to breathe normally, while still keeping the wind out of your face.
• If you go to school and have cold feet, wear leggings. Or, as a boy, you can opt for two pairs of socks.

Warnings

• If you spend too much time in the cold, you can catch a cold. Or something worse. Take care of yourself.
• Consult your doctor if you are going to be cold for extended periods, especially if you have a life-threatening illness.

Necessities

• A winter coat (wool or fleece)
• Boots (with thermal insulation)
• Foot warmers
• Hand warmers
• Gloves
• Shoes with good grip
• Multiple layers of clothing
• Leg warmers
• Ear muffs