Top 10 Tips to Survive Cold-Weather and Winter

Top 10 Tips to Survive Cold-Weather and Winter

Brace yourself! Winter is here with us again. It is that time of the year when the weather is freezing cold and masses of snow, ice is rampant across the nation. Going through the chilly weather season means it’s high time you paid close attention to tips that will have a great impact on making sure you not only healthier and warm during these cold months, but also save energy which is very imperative.

Regardless of how many times we go through winter, we seem to be caught by surprise. That is about to be a thing of the past with these 10 tips to survive cold-weather and winter which will make sure you avoid a costly, chilly inconvenience.

Tips to Survive Cold-Weather and Winter

1. Let the Doctor Check the Thyroid Levels

Setting in of the chilly season can heighten the thyroid hormone requirements of your body thereby making your body more hypothyroid. Lack of thyroid in your body may cause a rise in your TSH and a drop in Free T3 as well as Free T4 levels. In case you happen to notice worsening hypothyroid symptoms as it becomes colder, it is highly advisable that you have the levels of your blood checked by a doctor. You may also need a minor increase in the dosage of hormonal thyroid supplements. Some medical practitioners make it a routine to raise their patients’ dosage slightly as the weather becomes colder in order to adequately meet the body’s requirements. By having a doctor look a the thyroid levels, you will avert possible damages to your thyroid glands.

2. Adopt a Routine Exercise Program

It could be a little difficult to exercise during winter as cold weather may discourage you from hitting the gym or going for a morning jog. Whether you choose to sign up at a local gym, embark on a walking program, register for yoga classes, do pre-recorded exercise tapes or even a moderate exercise program; you can help expel the blues in addition to relieving stress not to mention that you will keep your weight in check. If you are not sure on how to exercise during winter, you can do yourself a big favor by visiting various health and fitness websites and reading relevant magazines.

3. Get Some Sunlight on a Daily Basis

It is an open secret that enjoying episodes of sunlight has a direct impact on hormones that are responsible for both the endocrine system and brain chemistry. You may not suffer from “seasonal affective disorder” but daily exposure to the outdoor light for 30 to 40 minutes can help fight depression and fatigue. In case you don’t want to stay outside for long periods, you can take errands in your auto but have the windows open to expose your body to natural sunlight. Avoid wearing sunglasses as this will reduce the benefits of the sun. If you suffer from diabetes for instance you are prone to weight gain you may want to take light therapy.

4. Eat Less Sugar

Many individuals make the mistake of taking hot chocolate and sugary foods in the name of keeping warm during winter. This is not wise especially for those people suffering from thyroid conditions since they are predisposed to sugar in an array of ways. Excessive consumption of sugar during the cold months may lead to yeast overgrowth candidiasis, bring about a significant resistance to the insulin level, cause some autoimmune vulnerability in addition to becoming allergic to processed sugars. Nonetheless with the setting in of the chilly season and depression and weight gain can be caused by sugar present in the diet, and it is only advisable to totally avoid sugary foods and look for other healthier options.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Research has shown that hardly do most average individuals get enough sleep. Lack of enough sleep during winter comes with other health complications. You may not know it but you could be in a continual sleep deficiency state. Conditions like hormonal imbalances, autoimmune conditions, and the inability to lose weight can be traced to inadequate sleep. It is therefore important that you get enough sleep to stay healthy during this cold season. How much is enough sleep? Doctors recommend that an average adult have some sound sleep for at least six to eight hours every day. Your body may require more hours during winter.

6. Make the Fireplace More Resourceful

It goes without saying that during the chilly season you need to discover ingenious ways of keeping warm. Having a fireplace that is constantly emitting warmth gives you the luxury of not staying confined to one area. If your whole house is warm, it means you can move up and about in the house without having to worry about contracting cold-related diseases. During winter you can increase the efficiency to the fireplace through firebacks, glass doors among other upgrades. Make sure that you maintain enough levels of warmth since too much fire may lead to overheating which at times may leave your body dehydrated.

7. Keep Your Hands Warm

It is advisable to invest in a pair of warm gloves during the cold season. High-quality gloves have moisture and cold repelling power and some have a coarse outer surface to make it easier to operate your phone and other appliances while leaving your fingers warmly covered in comfort. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money to keep your hands warm during winter as most of these gloves are reasonably cheap. If you don’t want to buy them from clothing malls, you can make yours fit your needs. You can’t ignore the need to keep your fingers warm during the cold season as most of the chores, whether indoors or outdoors revolve around the use of hands.

8. Make Your Body Winter Proof

Most of the time it is so cold during winter that you can actually feel it in your bones. You can feel the effects of the chilly weather on your face and every other part of your skin. It is easy to make your body winter proof by wearing heavy clothes that will make sure the heat naturally generated by the body is maintained for prolonged periods. Buy a pair of legwarmers to keep your legs warm too. Apply a layer of body creams, lotions, and other petroleum jellies to offer a protective cover and keep your skin supple and free of damage from the harsh weather.

9. Insulate Water Tanks and Pipes

During winter, make sure that all water tanks and pipes on garages, lofts and any other external pipes properly insulated as this will protect them from bursting. It is also important to keep the central heating system on all the time but remember to lower the levels when you are out to steer clear of lofts freezing. Make sure that all outside taps and drain garden hoses are turned off. Inform everyone on the location of the stopcock and how it is used just in case you experience a pipe burst. Keep the contacts of a steadfast plumber in your phone or diary to address any pipe bursts fast.

10. Go with the Flow of Things

When the cold season sets in, sometimes it is important to tackle one problem after the other as they come. You may not be adequately prepared for the cold season but that does not mean you necessarily don’t know what to do. Sometimes all you need to do is recognize that winter and cold weather could be Mother Nature’s way of telling you that it’s time to slow down. Avoid stressing causing situations by engaging in stress reduction activities as this is the major cause of fatigue. Know how to avoid flu and how to deal with it just in case you succumb to it. Dealing with cold-related problems as they occur is perhaps the best way to go through winter successfully.

Final Thought

Don’t be caught off guard during winter and cold weather. With these 10 tips on how to survive during cold weather and winter, you are certainly in a better position to stay warm and healthy.