30 Ways to Stay Warm When It’s Cold Outside
Winter brings chilly temperatures, making staying warm and cozy difficult. But fear not! With a little creativity and preparation, you can keep the cold at bay and enjoy the season to its fullest. Today I want to talk about 30 ways to stay warm when it’s cold outside.
1. Layer Up
Layering is the key to staying warm in winter. When working on your clothing layers, start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a cozy insulating layer, and finish with a windproof outer layer. This strategy will trap heat and keep you comfortable throughout the day. Wearing jeans can also help insulate your body better than other pant fabrics.
2. Invest in Quality Winter Clothing
Investing in high-quality winter clothing is essential. Look for items made from materials such as cotton, wool, or fleece, which provide excellent insulation. Consider purchasing thermal socks, gloves or mittens, a scarf, winter boots, and various hats to warm your extremities. The key is to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
You may want to consider wearing an extra pair of socks to make sure your feet stay warm. Boots with a lining should help keep you warmer during bad weather too. How to Use Old Clothing for Emergency Preparedness
3. Stay Active
Engaging in physical activity generates body heat and keeps you warm during cold weather. Try indoor exercises like yoga, dancing, or home workouts. If you prefer the outdoors, go for a brisk walk or try winter sports like skiing or ice skating. Fitness for Survival
4. Use Hand Warmers
Hand warmers are small packets that provide instant heat to your hands that you can carry in your pocket. They are perfect for outdoor activities or when you’re just feeling a bit chilly indoors. Slip them into your pockets or gloves for added warmth.
5. Drink Warm Beverages
Sipping on hot beverages is not only comforting but also warms you from the inside out and helps offset those cold temperatures. Opt for hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or even a cup of warm soup to keep yourself cozy during cold days. Hot Cocoa Bombs Are Easy To Make
6. Utilize Heating Pads or Blankets
Heating pads or blankets are fantastic for warming up specific body parts or snuggling under. Place a heating pad on your lap or wrap yourself in an electric blanket while you relax. 6 Reasons To Store Blankets For Any Emergency
7. Seal Drafts
Drafts can be a significant source of cold air entering your home. Inspect your doors and windows for any drafts and seal them with weatherstripping or draft stoppers to keep the warmth in and the cold out.
8. Use a Space Heater
If certain rooms in your house stay colder than others, consider using a space heater. Portable heaters allow you to warm up a specific area without cranking up the thermostat for the entire house. Please be aware that space heaters may cause a fire if left unattended. Always place these heaters away from flammable materials, including newspapers and clothing.
9. Make Use of Sunlight
Open your curtains or blinds during the day to let sunlight in. Sunlight not only brightens up your space, but also provides natural heat, especially if you have south-facing windows.
10. Practice Hot Water Bottle Tricks
A hot water bottle is a timeless remedy for staying warm. Fill it with hot water and place it on your feet, stomach, or back to provide instant warmth and comfort. Hot Water Bottles
11. Snuggle Up with a Furry Friend
Pets are natural heat sources! Curling up with your furry friend can offer both companionship and warmth so you won’t be prone to the shivers. Just make sure your pet is comfortable and enjoys the extra snuggles. What to do With Your Pets in an Emergency
12. Cook Warm Meals
Cooking warm meals not only fills your belly but also warms up your kitchen. Opt for hearty soups, stews, casseroles, and baked goods to create a cozy atmosphere and keep you warm from the inside. A bonus to think about, using your oven to cook the meals will also add heat to the kitchen that can spill into other rooms.
13. Utilize Floor Rugs
If you have hardwood or tile floors, they can feel cold underfoot. Place rugs strategically around your home to add insulation and prevent heat loss through the floor.
14. Wear Insulated Slippers
Cold feet can quickly make you feel uncomfortable. Invest in a pair of insulated slippers to keep your feet warm and snug while you move around your home.
15. Keep Active Spaces Warm
If you have a home office or a crafting area, keep it warm and comfortable by using a small space heater or a heated floor mat. This will enable you to maintain productivity without freezing.
16. Use Thermal Curtains
Thermal curtains are excellent for blocking drafts and preventing heat loss through windows. They provide an extra layer of insulation and can help maintain a cozy temperature indoors.
17. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial for overall well-being and maintaining body temperature. Proper hydration means drinking plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel as thirsty as you would in warmer months. How To Tell If Your Child May Be Dehydrated
18. Make Use of Your Fireplace or Wood Stove
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, take advantage of them during colder months. A crackling fire not only provides warmth but also creates a cozy and relaxing ambiance. What is the Best Firewood for Home Heating?
If you have a fireplace that isn’t in use, close the damper so warm air doesn’t escape.
19. Use Hot Packs
Hot packs are a great way to warm yourself up quickly. They come in various sizes and can be heated in the microwave or with hot water. Place them on your body or wrap them around your neck for instant warmth. Warm Hands
20. Insulate Your Home
Proper insulation is essential for maintaining a cozy and warm environment indoors. Check for gaps or cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors. Add insulation to ensure heat doesn’t escape and cold air doesn’t seep in. What to Use for Insulation to Stay Warm
21. Use a Hot Tub or Sauna
If you have access to a hot tub or sauna, take advantage of them during really cold days. Soaking in a hot tub or spending time in a sauna can help raise your body temperature and provide relaxation.
22. Wear a Hat or Cap Indoors
Heat can escape from your head, so wearing a hat or cap indoors can help retain body heat. Opt for a beanie, a warm knit cap, or any hat that covers your ears to keep them warm.
23. Use a Portable Radiator
A portable radiator is an efficient way to heat a specific area in your home, such as your bedroom, bathroom, or living room. They are easy to move around and provide instant warmth wherever you need it most.
24. Warm Up Your Bed
Before getting into bed, warm it up by using an electric blanket or placing a hot water bottle under the covers. This ensures you climb into a cozy and inviting bed that will keep you warm throughout the night.
25. Wear Thermal Underwear
Thermal underwear, often called thermals, is designed to provide extra insulation against the cold. Wear them as a base layer to keep your core warm and prevent heat loss from your body.
26. Use a Humidifier
Winter air tends to be dry, which can make it feel colder. Using a humidifier adds moisture to the air, making it feel warmer and more comfortable. It also helps alleviate dry skin and respiratory issues.
27. Install Ceiling Fans on Reverse
Most people associate ceiling fans with cooling but can also help distribute warm air. Set your ceiling fan to run in reverse (clockwise) at a low speed to push the warm air down and circulate it throughout the room.
28. Drape Yourself in a Cozy Blanket
Wrap yourself in a soft and warm blanket whenever you’re feeling chilly. Keep spare blankets in different rooms of your home for easy access and instant warmth.
29. Use Draft Stoppers for Doors
Draft stoppers are long, narrow fabric tubes that prevent cold air from entering under doors. Install them on exterior doors or draft-prone areas to maintain a warm and comfortable indoor environment.
30. Wear Warm, Fuzzy Socks
Keep your feet warm by wearing thick, fuzzy socks made of materials like wool or fleece. They provide insulation and help retain body heat, keeping your feet toasty even during the coldest days.
More Tips
Final Word
With these 30 ways to stay warm when it’s cold outside, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the winter chill. Remember to layer up, insulate your home, and keep active to stay cozy and comfortable throughout the season. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Jackets With Goose Feathers Depositphotos_56032995_S by ChiccoDodiFC, Sale of Street Clothes Depositphotos_412668254_S by Gesrey
I find layering a trial! I feel too bound up. But I found 32 Degree Heat products a few years ago. The “underwear” is light weight an if I’m chilled, putting one of the shirts and pants on immediately makes me feel warmer. But the key for me is that I don’t feel bound up by the weight of the layers. As for multiple layers of socks, I wouldn’t be able to get my boots on!
I swear by hot water bottles, though. I have 2. They are reusable and long lasting. I started using one when I went camping to warm my sleeping bag. They are amazing in my opinion!
HI Leanne, you are the reason I ordered a few hot water bottles! I grew up with them used them with my kids and then I don’t know what happened to them. Then one day YOU mentioned them and I ordered two right away! Linda
Yes, someone gave us 32 Degree base layers a year or two ago, for Christmas! Light to wear, and doesn’t hold moisture like cotton underwear (which then chills you horribly). Another I’ll recommend is UnderArmor–someone put me on to that brand before one of the Inaugural Parades, which can be notoriously cold (and you’re stuck on a side street with your horse from early morning, until whenever your unit is merged into the parade!)
Socks–wool is nice, but even better is alpaca. I got some Willowace alpaca blend socks last year, and was so pleased with them I’ve added a dozen more pairs. Not cheap, but they have the same lifetime guarantee as Darn Tough. I haven’t needed to use two pairs for warmth since I got the Willowace socks!
Hi Rhonda, thank you for the reminder about the Willowace alpaca soccks and of course UnderArmor. Great products. Linda
The socks sound amazing. Just not in my budget right now!
I’ll check out UnderArmor though.
Re. hot water bottles and hot packs… You can make a very simple hot pack, using grain (I used whole flax seed; rice also works, as do some other whole grains)–either sew the grain into a cloth tube or “pillow,” or even tie it into an orphan sock (just make sure the sock is fairly tight-weave/knit so the grains don’t leak out). Put it in the microwave for 3-5 minutes (or warm inside the regular oven) and it’s ready to use. A long tube can be put over your shoulders, or shared by two sets of feet in bed. And the really nice thing? While it lasts as long as a hot water bottle, once the heat is “gone” the grain pack isn’t *cold* like a formerly hot water bottle can be!
I have a grain sock I keep just for thawing the barn faucet, too (would also work for thawing a pipe that’s “caught”).
One other old-fashioned warming idea. See if you can find pieces of soapstone (mine are cut in rectangular blocks that fit in a pocket–or a boot!) Make quilted or knit covers for them–a thong or chain through a hole in the block or the cover is also convenient. The soapstones (without cover) can be heated in the oven or on top of a woodstove, put into their covers, and tucked in a pocket for hours (or put into a pair of boots to warm them up before wearing them). We used to go to a winter horse show series–I’d have the soapstones in my pocket driving there, then put them in my riding boots before pulling them on; then I’d set the soapstones on the woodstove in the viewing area, so they’d be be nice and warm at the end of the show for the drive home!
Hi Rhonda, great tips on staying warm! You would know for sure because of outside exposure with your horses!!! Linda
I gotta admit, the best way for “me” to keep warm is to snuggle with my husband! LOL He’s the best heater to have. I sleep very hot so even with single digits outside, snow, etc., our window is still cracked open! Crazy Norwegian that I am!
Our best heat source in our woodstove. We were lucky enough to get it grandfathered in when we built our new house years ago. There’s no heat as good as a woodstove! Especially now that the notice I received from the power company yesterday said they’re raising our bill another $31 per month, less than 6 months after raising it $58 per month! Grrrrr!!! We don’t have our heat up past 62 in the winter, ever! Another funny thing – I wear only skirts/dresses but in the winter, I wear Cuddle Duds thermals underneath to keep the draft off my legs. I look funny but I’m warm! LOL
HI Robbie, oh you are so right about the wood stoves! We won’t have one but we had them when we lived in Salt Lake City before. Utilities are out of sight, so is food, and gasoline is not back where it should be. Your hubby would be the best one to keep you warm, I love this!! Linda