Getting out of a warm bed into the cold is one of winter’s most unpleasant moments.
The African Reporter’s Facebook readers gave a few tips on how to combat the cold:
• Christopher Sibeko: “Wearing warm clothes. I’m sure it will help.”
• Topa Nama: “Buy an electric blanket and a solar energy one and carry it with you around.”
• Gunpound Dubes: “Stay as a unit in homes and make sure when you go outside you are clean with warm jackets.”
If this doesn’t help much, here are a few tips to heat yourself up without a heater or other electrical devices.
• Warm yourself first
It’s easier to change your body temperature than room temperature, not to mention more eco-friendly.
Instead of turning up the heat, do a few quick exercises and move your limbs around, a lot, before donning another layer of clothing.
• Wear a hat
Not only is it fashionable, but it’ll keep your body heat and make you feel warmer.
Besides warming your head and ears, it also keeps you from losing body heat, so wear a hat, even when you’re inside.
• Turn on the ceiling fan
This may sound like a strange thing to do at first, but remember, warm air rises to the ceiling.
Run your fan on its lowest setting in a clockwise direction to push the warm air back down to where you can feel it.
• Switch between hot and cold water in the shower.
Hot showers immediately warm you up, but cold showers improve blood circulation between your skin and organs.
• Dress your windows up in warmer ‘clothes’.
If you’re not wearing a tank top or going sleeveless, your windows shouldn’t either.
Replace thin curtains with heavier wool or fleece drapes in the winter, but be sure to open them on sunny days for free heat.
• Layer your covers with the thinnest, densest ones on top.
It’s intuitive, but fluffy blankets should be closer to your skin.
Thin, dense blankets should be on top to prevent heat loss.
Bonus tip: Don’t put your bed directly against an exterior wall. You’ll be warmer if you leave a little space.
Source: www.mentalfloss.com
