15 Ways to Beat that Winter Chill

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We may be in the middle of August, which is arguably one of the hottest months of the year depending on where you live, but that doesn’t mean that now is not a good time to prepare for winter. Knowing that you have a pretty chilly winter ahead and the energy bills around the world are going up right now, preparation while it’s warm is key. Not only will you be able to prepare your house properly while the sun is shining and therefore it is dry outside, you can prepare yourself for the potential few lethal months ahead.

We realize that calling the winter months lethal can sound quite dramatic, but if you are dealing with a house that is overly cold and stagnant wages that I’m not helping you with your energy payments, it could be lethal! From things like ensuring that you have window repair completed before the cold air sets in, to making sure that you have thick curtains ready to hang on the windows, you need to be able to beat that winter chill. Below, we’ve got 15 ways that you can do just that.

Plan your layers. While the weather is warm, it’s time to go through your winter wardrobe and plan out your layers properly. Layers of clothing will keep you warm throughout the Arctic chill, and you need to make sure that you’re basically rules apply for everybody in the family. Do you guys all have long johns in the drawers ready? Do you have thin T-shirts that you can layer on top of each other? You should also ensure that everybody in your family has a winter coat, hats, scarf and gloves ready. Not only will you need to ensure that your layers are set for the outside world, you may need to do that for the inside if you cannot keep the heat on for too long. So, two sets of long johns for outdoor wear and indoor wear, decent thick fleece pajamas and a good dressing gown will help.
Stop closing your curtains. Go around the house the moment the sun starts to set and close all of the blinds and curtains through every room. When you block the cool air from coming through the windows, you can block it from going into the room. You must keep everything open during the day so that the warm sunlight can heat up the rooms naturally, but at night time there is no sunshine out. Instead, you’re trying to trap the heat in and keep the cold away so make sure that you have good, thick curtains to help there.
Close the doors. Every room that is not being used in the house should have closed doors. This will prevent any cold and from chilling the rest of the house. You can buy draft excluders, as well, to stop winter chills from seeping into the warmth of the home. For example, rolled up towels can do the job!
Insulate your garage door. Does one of the doors in your main home go into your garage? If so, make sure that you keep the garage doors closed. Insulating around the edge of the store is also going to help, because your garage is not going to have heaters or radiators with Annette. The garage can be a pretty chilly place to be, but you don’t need that cold air seeping into the rest of the house or having your warm and seeping through to the garage. When you insulate around the crack of the door, you can prevent this from happening.
Keep active. If you’re looking to ensure that you beat that cold, keeping active is really going to help. You can increase your core temperature just by putting on some music and dancing around the house. Pro tip: if you do this with your layers on, you’re going to warm up a lot faster. Remember, beating the winter chills are not just about insulating the house and protecting your home. You need to remember to move your body and stay active when you can. Winter isn’t going anywhere any time soon, so you need to learn how you can move your body to stay warm.
Check up on your neighbors. If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbors, check up on them and find out whether or not they understand how to keep the cold out of the house and maximize the heating. Vulnerable people are going to be hit harder than most this winter given that the cost of living and the energy crisis has caused electricity and heating bills to shoot through the roof. Make sure that they are warm and that they have everything they possibly need including things like candles, and emergency phone numbers for the police.
Remember your pets. Pets get cold in the winter just as much as they get too hot in the summer, and if you can, make sure that you have a space indoors to bring your pets. Your cat or your dog may be more for the outside world, so you probably have beds and kennels outside in the garden. Instead, set up a kennel inside the house for a dog to stay warm and complete with pillows and blankets so that he can snuggle down and feel comfortable. You should do the same for your cats, as well but they will probably heat seek on their own anyway.

Cuddle up. Whether you are living with a partner or you have your children at home with you, get everybody sharing the same bed and snuggle down together. Body to body heat is actually one of the best ways that you can keep warm, and if you know that your house is going to be colder in some rooms more than others, then having one big sleepover for the winter is really going to help everybody. Let’s also remember that you can then lay your duvets and blankets so that everybody is under a pile of blankets and can feel warm and comfortable.
Have an expert check your fireplace. If you have an open fireplace or mantelpiece in your home, utilize it! Have an expert come to clear the chimney and set it up so that you are able to use the flue and build a fire. You might not be able to afford all of your electricity bills this winter, but you would be able to afford to burn a fire in the grate and keep the house warm. just make sure that you don’t put anything flammable near it because you don’t want the rest of the house to actually catch fire!
Head to the sauna. Trying to relax and beat the chill? A sauna at your local gym or salon is going to really help. It’s a good place to relax and unwind and it’s a good way that you can feel the heat.
Find the fun. It’s going to feel pretty miserable to not be able to put on the heating for too long this winter, but you can get involved in some fun activities to stay warm. We talked about movement, but what about hot yoga? How about joining a class for Zumba and moving your body in the most fun way? Hot yoga can run for around 90 minutes and it’s conducted in the heat controlled room. The temperature is set pretty high to encourage you to sweat as much as possible and the class will be as good for you as it will be in this cold winter ahead.
Head abroad. If you have the means, why not book a winter break? Heading out into the world and chasing that sunshine in your winter months could really help. It’s not always easy just to jump on a plane and go on holiday, but if you do have the means to do it it’s a great way that you can keep warm this winter.
Make sure that you keep eating. We are not suggesting putting on a layer of fat for the winter like animals do, but ensuring that you are hydrated throughout the winter and well fed it’s going to mean that your body is burning the right amount of energy. Too little food, and you’re going to find it very tough to keep warm.
Invest in hot water bottles and electric blankets. Of course, don’t use a hot water bottle underneath an electric blanket because if the hot water bottle should bust it’s going to electrocute you – that’s a given. Make sure that you’re using your electric blanket for a couple of hours before you go to sleep and you will find that you are comfortable and warm.
Cook up a storm. Cooking warms up the air of the home, and a hot meal keeps your stomach warm. The good news is that you don’t have to be much of a cook for this one. It doesn’t take much to put on a slow cooker with a stew!
Upgrade your bedding to flannel. Want to keep warm? Upgrade your bedding and make sure that it’s layering you in comfort and warmth for the whole winter through.