Keeping warm in winter

Here are some tips to help you keep warm and reduce your heating costs at the same time. Remember: the less you use your heater (whether it is electric or gas) the less you contribute to global warming.

1. Wear a sweater. Winter is the time to wear sweaters and long-sleeves. Don’t try to go around your house in shorts and tees because you will need to turn on the heating. By wearing a sweater you will reduce the need of turning on the heating and therefore will reduce energy consumption.

2. Drink tea. If you drink hot beverages, such as tea, your body will become warm from the inside. Other hot beverages you can drink are hot cocoa or coffee. I suggest tea because it seems healthier: it is caffeine-free (in the case of herbal teas) and you can choose to add honey instead of sugar as a sweetener.

3. Eat soup. Just like tea, hot soup is another way to keep you warm from the inside. Accompany it with a loaf of French bread and you will have a satisfying and comforting meal. You can make your favourite recipes or try some of the ones I added in this link.

4. Keep your feet warm. The fact is, if your feet get cold your entire body automatically gets cold, and vice versa. Use socks made of lamb’s wool or knitted socks. You can also use felt slippers for extra warmth.

5. Use a quilt. If you spend a long time working in the computer I recommend you to put a woollen blanket or a quilt on the seat. You’ll see the difference.

6. Use felt blankets. Replace your cotton blankets for felt blankets to keep warmer when you are sleeping. If your budget allows, you can also try feather bedding.

7. Use heavy curtains. Use curtains made of heavy fabrics with lots of folds to keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside at night. During the day don’t forget to open them so that the sunshine can enter the room.

by Mary Rangel Avila