Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Are you one of those women who seem to always be cold no matter what you do to stay warm? I get it, I’m somewhat of a winter pansy myself. Though I love to look out at the snow and ice, shimmering in the trees, I could do without numb toes and a chronic case of goosebumps. I’m always looking for ways to heat things up, so to speak. Here are a few things that have helped ease my winter discomfort.
Add Some Quality Insulation to Your Home
I happen to know for a fact that if you live in a home that is not insulated properly, you’re going to be cold and pay outrageous heating bills. Simply investigating your attic and outside walls can give you the 411 about where cold air is leaking in. Though outside walls are generally insulated well in newer homes, you’ll want to look anyway. As far as the attic goes, by insulating it, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency, save money, and even chalk up a tax deduction.
You can also use other methods of insulating your home, like draft excluders, for example, which you can place at the bottom of doors and windows. We have also used plastic to seal up windows.
Add Cozy Fabrics, Materials, and Colors To Your Home
Believe it or not, having certain textures, materials, and colors in the home can actually make you feel warmer. Think about what things bring about a warm, cozy feeling. Perhaps, you love velvet and textured pillows. Maybe it’s soft throws or having an area rug in every room. These things may not actually raise the room temp, but they play a role in shifting the perception of a space. On the flip side, materials like metal, leather, glass, and other shiny things can create an atmosphere that feels cold and uninviting.
If you’re up for a little redecorating, consider painting your rooms with warmer colors like tans, warm grays, or tones of gold. If not, simply add warm-colored accessories like throw pillows, blankets, curtains, and bedding.
Choose Appropriate Clothing and Footwear
If you truly want to stay warm indoors and out, what you wear does matter. Heads up, you fashionistas might have to sacrifice some designer looks for more practical pieces. First of all, I recommend wearing a hat, as we lose the majority of our body heat through the top of our heads. During the fall and winter months, you can often find me with the hood of my hoodie pulled over my head even inside. Additionally, cut your feet some slack and wear some freakin’ socks that actually keep your feet warm! Yeah, those warm, fuzzy ones are great for cold nights and winter outings.
It’s also worth getting some quality pieces with which you can layer and build outfits that will hold up to all types of winter weather. If you must be unique and fashionable, look for t-shirts, tanks, and long sleeve garments at places like The Mountain and Etsy for pieces that you won’t see everyone wearing.
Use Hand Warmers
And finally, for when you need a little extra help to keep your hands warm, you can always try creating your own DIY hand warmers. All you’ll need is some small, square pieces of fabric to stitch together and some rice for the filling. After heating them in the microwave for about 20 seconds, you have an instant hand warmer that fits into your coat pockets or mittens.
