Cold temperatures can put a strain on your heart, so it is important to try to stay warm this winter.
Many researchers also believe that exposure to cold weather can adversely affect a person’s immune response, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. Reasons for this may include:
- Reduced vitamin D levels: During the winter, many people get less vitamin D due to reduced sun exposure. Vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining the immune system.
- Lower temperatures may affect immune response: A 2015 study found that exposing airway cells taken from mice to lower temperatures decreased the immune response of the cells against a mouse-adapted rhinovirus.
- Blood vessel narrowing: Breathing in cold and dry air causes the blood vessels in the upper respiratory tract to narrow to conserve heat. This may prevent white blood cells from reaching the mucous membrane, making it harder for the body to fight germs.
With electricity now more expensive than ever, and at times non-existent with load shedding, here are some cost-effective tips for how to keep warm in winter:
- Layer your clothes, even inside. Add a good wool or cashmere scarf.
- Get a good warm pair of slippers and wear thermal socks with them. A fluffy boot style slipper is a good option.
- Get an electric blanket or hot water bottle (for load shedding) to heat your bed before you get in. A hot water bottle at your feet will help you feel warm and cozy.
- Make sure you change your duvet and blankets to winter ones and that your pyjamas are warm.
- Heat one room and spend most of your time there.
- Hot drinks and meals help to warm your core body temperature.
- Invest in a good flask and some Thermo food warmers that can keep food warm for 4-6 hours without reheating, so you can still have warm meals during load shedding.
- Change the curtains from light summer ones to heavier materials that will keep the heat in the room.
- Pull the curtains closed before it gets dark to retain heat in the room.
- Put a draught excluder (or a rolled up towel) in front of doors/windows that let in a draught.
- As the temperature lowers, curling up on the sofa after a long day pretty much becomes a ritual. And here throws can provide the perfect solution to keeping snug. Wool, sherpa, sheepskin, chenile and velvet are good options.
- Weighted blankets work like a hug,using a technique called deep pressure stimulation (DPS) to make the sleeper feel more secure. Not only do they provide various therapeutic benefits, but weighted blankets provide an extra layer of warmth thanks to their heavy material.
- Perfect for chilly nights, blankets with sleeves are designed to keep you snug and warm. Also known as wearable blankets or blanket hoodies, they are essentially giant sweatshirts with an equally-oversized kangaroo pocket and large fleece-lined hood. This will also keep you warm as you move around the unheated parts of your home.
Do you have any clever tips for staying warm? Let us know on Trim Buddies groups!