As it gets colder outside, the cost of staying comfy inside starts to heat up. So it's at this time of year I stare at my thermostat, wanting to turn it up two or three more degrees, but knowing that I have to find other ways to stay warm. As much as I try to convince myself it's "fresh" inside and it's better for our world and saving money, I must admit it's simply very chilly... and I long for summer!
You don't have to freeze, but wouldn't it be nice to melt away a little of your heating bill while keeping the world cooler? Think about the following suggestions, add your own (more conventional ones perhaps) and stay warmer this winter!
1. Get up! Since I'm going to assume that you are sitting in front of your computer right now, I'll take the opportunity to remind you that moving keeps you a lot warmer (I am aware that this suggestion is overly hypocritical). Clean something, organize something else... you'll stay warm and feel great that you've accomplished something away from your monitor!
2. Convince someone in your home to cuddle with you. Hopefully it doesn't take that much convincing! Cuddling is WAY better than a blanket and a person's body gives off enough heat to almost immediately stop the shivers.
3. Make a big mug of organic tea or your favourite hot beverage. Get addicted to loose-leaf teas this winter, real hot chocolate, or make your organic, fair trade coffee with a French press. Just think of all of the garbage created from tea bags and coffee filters over a year... small things add up, as always.
4. Cook something. You'll not only be happy eating comfort food (yum), you can share the experience with your family (fun), avoid take-out (less waste, less cost, healthier) and a working kitchen adds heat (ahhh).
5. Open your blinds. And then close them. Open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun. Close them in the evening to help insulate and to maintain your privacy, too (not that there is much to see when wearing multiple layers of clothes -- see the next point).
6. Bundle up! My mother always told me that shorts and T-shirts were not appropriate indoor wear in winter. Why does it take us so long to listen? Put on your coziest clothes and a pair of slippers. The slippers also come in handy at the front door... always take your outdoor footwear off to keep that outdoor gunk from being tracked inside for a healthier home.
7. Ditch the diet. Remember, you can justify your winter weight by stating that it's for the environment's sake... a little extra insulation goes a long way. (But a nutrition tip that will definitely help you ditch pounds/inches: avoid all corn, except corn itself... read your labels and you'll be amazed!)
8. Sit down -- and make a list. (I am aware that this contradicts my first point.) Do some research on the Internet, book an energy audit, get the fixes done throughout your home to stop drafts, minimize heat going to rooms you do not use and add a few carpets to your bare floors.
Remember, no matter how chilly it is inside, if you are outdoors making the most of this winter with your family, you won't notice as much! Laughing together and thinking happy, warm thoughts helps too.
Follow Lisa Borden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisaborden
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Besides, you only live once and I'm not going to go out cold.
Although I don't normally like/use synthetics on the body, the pseudo "Mink" plush blankets are incredibly warm and snuggly; much warmer than comforters IMHO (and easier to store). The "Minks" come in various qualities & plushness; be sure to "feel-around" for a really good/silky one! "Ross" and roadside markets often sell them cheap $40 for Queen/King size). Theses blankets best winter purchase I've ever made; especially the ones from Korea.
In winter, use oversized sheets and blankets, especially if sleeping with someone who "steals the blankets"!
Why did I "used" to do this you ask? I moved to Florida!!!!!
The Tiki Bar is OPEN!!
Next, when winter starts to set in, I begin lowering my thermostate one degree at a time, each day, until I am comfy living at @52 degrees (which is a great accomplishment for a Hawaiian girl living in the mainland). When my face begins to feel to cold, I turn it back up one degree for that day, then start turning it down again, pausing anytime my extremities start to feel uncomfortably cold.The slow march down allows the body to regulate itself comfortably.
Wear insulated underwear & sleepwear; I love thosesold in the hunting department; and the thin ones with "waffles" (Old Navy has very thin/nice ones).
When leaving the bed, dont throw open the covers, slip out from underneath, and make sure the bed stays covered up!
Consider draining water pipes in outside walls if possible if lowering winter house temperature significantly. Mine got down to 37F/2.8C last year.
Several thick (not heavy) comforters, sleeping bags. Thrift store, off season.
Hair dryers that turn off heat element when too hot but keeps fan running (V.Sassoon?), for heating feet under covers and hands just inside entry doors. 1/2Potato chip tubes to open heavy gloves to dry inside.
Heat or Flood lights, favorite sitting-laying places, bathroom. Heating pad with auto shut-off for feet area
Turn off hot water tank, pan or coffee water heater when needed.
Small 1 cu.ft. ac/dc refrigerator, shut off large one, adjust eating habits.
Generator outside for heat lamps on water pipes if power fails.
Snug long sleeve Ts or light long-johns with heavier over those, sweats, slippery material sports outerwear, easier to slide in bed.
Good gloves with thin cotton liner with wool liner over then large gloves. Long oven mittens (easy in/out).
Towel around neck tucked in shirt front.
Knee-high cotton socks, hunting socks, lined indoor boots or boot liners stitched up w/nonslip bottoms.
Plastic film frames made for over windows.
Cover upper four feet basement walls cardboard or foam insulation, windows inside, outside.
Ground cinnamon, ginger, red pepper in tea, coffee, juice mixture for metabolism boost.
Alter remote for under covers functioning.
Orange, white lights near TV for "Sun heat illusion".
This also works in summer, except use cold water. I fill the bottles up and place them in the freezer for a little while to chill the water. You can apply these the same way you use the hot water bottle (skin contact or next to clothing), but put a towel around it for comfort and/or a plastic bag to contain the "sweating" from the bottle. Alternatively, you can blow a fan across the cold water bottle for a refreshing cool breeze---on the cheap!
The dry air is bad for your skin, respiratory system and makes you feel colder.
Our humidity will drop to the 30's if we don't run a humidifier when necessary.
Some homes don't need them, with gas heat we didn't need them often, with
electric heat, we use a humidifier most of the winter.
Cheap gauges (hygrometer) can be bought on the web. I got one before at Target, is pretty accurate and some humidifiers will come with one.