SNOWDAY: Tips to Keeping Warm This Winter

James Richardson January 19, 2013

Many of us love to keep warm but doing so in the winter can be especially difficult, especially for the elderly. With heating bills rising and the horrendous cold weather fronts moving in this early 2013, it’s ever more important to keep warm not just for comfort but for health and wellbeing too.

The Benefits of Keeping Warm

It is not just the fact that keeping warm stops you from suffering from hyperthermia or catching a cold but also fighting away sadness and loneliness from being run down or stuck in doors because of the snow.

Especially for the elderly, retaining body heat can be difficult. With this in mind it is not just their physical health that is at risk but also mental. Many people do not realise the impact that poor health and extreme temperatures can do to your mentality and overall energy. It will sap you of your will and make you feel depressed. It’s a battle but there are some great natural remedies and methods to keeping you warm and functioning well this winter.

Hot, Slow Burning Foods

It’s important to eat regular, hot meals throughout the day as well as hot drinks to keep your insides nice and cosy. A great way to keep your energy levels up and your body feeling warm is to eat slow burning foods such as porridge which is full of oats, a slow releasing carbohydrate. Rice pudding and vegetable soup are also great meals for keeping warm.

Natural Herbs

A rather natural way to warm up is not only to take some Cayenne pepper and mix it in with your soup or other food but also to sprinkle a little bit between your shoes and socks. It can help you feel warm and Cayenne is great at relieving chills, congestion and even coughs. Give it a try, and maybe even add it to a heart warming curry? What other herbs do you know of
Yoga

This ancient Indian art is not just for younger people but for all ages! Keeping moving is vital for blood circulation and keeping your body warm. Sitting still will cease up your joints and you’ll get colder a lot quicker. For the elderly there are some more basic and simpler Yoga positions you can adopt which does not involve you bending into awkward angles. Stand up and raises your hands above your head and swing them down. Raise each arm to the side as if you were going to fly and repeat.

Multiple Layers

Don’t be fooled into wearing a big chunky coat or cardigan to keep you nice and crispy. It’s actually better to wear several thin layers as it helps regulate the heat better. If you begin to feel too hot or too cold you simply have to remove one layer, whereas having one thick layer can be poor for your health. Dropping and raising your body temperature frequently can result in a flush and even bring your immune system down!

Keep The Mind Active!

One thing we may neglect to do is to keep the mind active. With bad weather it is always a nice idea to visit elderly relatives to keep each other company as well as to play puzzle games or involve each other in discussions and debates. Keeping the mind running and working hard will help your natural inner energy and also help you feel a lot warmer. A positive mind can lead to a positive body and crucial for your wellbeing too.

Dear Readers,

What other helpful tips, advice or natural remedies could you suggest to keeping warm this winter?

Share your comment below!