Toss
Your Clothes Into the Dryer
Few things may take the chill off
more quickly than putting on clothes straight from a toasty tumble. Run them
through a short spin just before you get dressed. Your body is usually warmest
in the morning, so it’s a good idea to try and hang on to the heat. It won’t
last forever, but it will give you a cozy start to the day.
Get
Your Calories
Your body needs fuel to burn to keep
your core body temperature up, especially when it’s cold outside. Shoot for at
least one hot meal a day, and try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and
other unprocessed foods.
Wear
Socks to Bed
It may look funny, but it’s better
than blue toes! Not only will it help heat your whole body, but warm feet also
seem to signal your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. If you just can’t get
with this bedtime fashion, walk around in cozy slippers for about an hour
before you hit the sack.
Pick
Your PJs With Care
Sleep in soft, flexible fabrics.
Flannel will keep you cozy, but it still breathes so that you won’t get too
hot, or damp from sweat. Silk could be warm, too, but it might not breathe as
well. If you’re really cold, long underwear and even a hat, or “nightcap,” can
help.
Get
Your Iron and Vitamin B12
Without enough of both, you can get
anemia, which means you have too few red blood cells to take oxygen around your
body. That could make you feel chilly. Some people don’t get enough B12 from
food or don’t absorb it easily. Pregnant women sometimes have lower levels of
iron, because their bodies use more than usual. Get B12 in chicken, eggs, or
fish. Get iron from poultry, pork, seafood, chickpeas,and green leafy
vegetables.
Dress
in Layers
A few lighter layers warm you better
than a single heavy one. Start with something thin, like thermal underwear that
wicks away moisture. Add insulation like a down jacket or wool sweater in the
middle. Use a windbreaker as an outer shell. Three layers seem to be a sweet
spot, but you can adjust. Just add another layer if you’re still cold and take
one off when you’re hot.
Heat
Your Mattress
An electric blanket wastes half its
heat to the ceiling. It also can bunch up. But a heated mattress pad fits
snugly like a sheet. Because it doesn’t move as much, it likely won’t wear out
as quickly or easily as a blanket.
Spice
Up Your Life
Do you notice a little sweat on your
brow when you eat those extra jalapenos at your favorite taco joint? That’s
because spicy food literally warms up your body. Nothing wrong with that,
unless you have stomach problems like ulcers. In fact, a spicy diet can be good
for you. Just don’t overdo it, especially if you notice that you don’t feel
well afterward.
Plug
In Space Heaters
They can help warm smaller areas.
Pick a UL-approved unit that fits your space and purpose. A “convection” type
with a fan might be best to heat a whole room. A “radiant” model is better to
heat a specific spot. Put it on a level surface away from moving people. Keep
pets and children away. Plug electric heaters directly into the wall, and look
for a safety switch that turns it off when it’s knocked over.
Move
Your Body
Go for a walk or a jog. If it’s too
cold outside, hit the gym, or just do some jumping jacks, pushups, or other
exercises indoors. Not only will it warm you up, it helps build and keep your
muscles, which also burn calories and make body heat. If you’re healthy enough
for it, vigorous exercise might even raise your core body temperature, at least
for a while.
Give
It Time
Give yourself about 2 weeks to
adjust to a new place that’s much colder than you’re used to. This may be
harder as you get older or if you have very little body fat. Some medications,
like those for allergies or asthma, can also get in the way. People who
spend lots of time outside often find it easier to get used to sudden changes
in temperature.
Shop
for the Right Boots
Just because your footwear is
insulated doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll keep you warm. Boots that aren’t well
sealed from moisture can turn into ice blocks. Look for a high IPX rating.
IPX-8 is the highest. It means you could dunk the whole boot in water and your
foot would stay dry. And be sure to buy them big enough to fit in some thick
wool socks.
Keep
Track
Tell your doctor if you’re more
sensitive to the cold than in the past. It could be a symptom of a
problem with your nutrition, red blood cells (anemia), blood vessels,
thyroid gland, or the brain’s thermostat. Try to note how often it happens, how
long it lasts, and if it’s getting worse. Your doctor might do some tests to
narrow down the cause.
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