8 Techniques To Help You Stay Warm In Winter

We get it. You and your family want to be warm in the winter. However, using your heater more – whether it’s gas or electric – can cause your energy bills to rise accordingly in the winter. Fortunately, you can surround your body with enough warmth to offset the thermostat’s rise and stay just as warm if you learn how to dress your clothes properly. We’ve put together eight tips that will keep you comfortable and warm in your home without relying on heating.

A Few Considerations Before We Begin:

As a Texas resident, I don’t have central heating in my home, but I’ve learned how to keep my two young daughters and me warm when the cold of winter hits our area – especially since we don’t usually keep a fire burning all day. But as anyone who cares for young children should know, keeping their bodies warm is especially important. Children’s organs grow rapidly in the first seven years of life, and sometimes it can be difficult to keep a hat or jacket on their active little bodies. By outfitting them with lots of layers, we can make sure they stay warm even when the mittens come off. It is also important to remember that cold weather can weaken the immune system. In a season when colds, flu, and other pathogens are rampant, keeping all children warm with multiple layers of clothing can help protect them from illness.

1- Layer Naturally

Layers of natural fibers are the best way to stay really warm. Cotton, wool, and silk are all breathable materials that keep the heat in. You don’t have to be a knitter to enjoy a good wool sweater either!

Don’t have the money to stock your wardrobe from scratch? Check out a thrift store near you and you’ll find plenty of good-condition wool sweaters for the whole family. Make sure the label says 100% wool. Avoid polyester and other synthetic materials that will keep you warm but won’t let your skin breathe.

2- Undershirts

An undershirt is one of the most versatile garments in your drawer for both adults and children. It’s great to wear in the summer, but irreplaceable in the winter.

Start with an undershirt to keep your upper body warm. For kids, this is especially important because it warms and protects the heart, lungs, and other organs of the torso. Look for brands that also offer undershirts made of merino wool or silk. If you tend to sweat, wearing wool or silk wicks moisture away from your skin so you don’t feel clammy.

3- Long Johns

The next layer you should consider is long John’s. They fit under your pants or skirt and keep your legs warm and cozy. Look for long thermal underpants, a cotton waffle fabric, or wool underpants. There are also long full-body underpants that cover the entire body with a single garment.

4- Thick Socks

Thin socks don’t keep the cold out, and losing heat to your head, hands, and feet is the fastest way to catch a cold. Opt for thick socks, some of which are made from sheep’s wool, goat’s wool, and even possum fur! For added protection, double layer your socks and ditch the open-toed shoes this time of year.

Get out your slippers to wear as the last layer of feet, and when it’s time to buy new ones, opt for some that are lined with real sheepskin

5- A Mid-Layer

Before you put on a sweater or coat, make sure you have a middle layer between your undershirt and the outer layer. Think of this layer as insulating your body, much like the insulation in our walls that provides the buffer between the outside and the inside. A warm cotton flannel shirt or a long-sleeved cotton thermal shirt is ideal.

6- Hats Indoors

Do not worry about hat hair! Wear a hat to trap the warmth inside your head. Make sure the hat is long enough to wrap around your ears to keep them warm too.

7- Don’t Forget a Scarf!

I recommend wrapping something loosely around the neck to keep the collarbone and neck area warm. It is not necessary to wear a thick and wide woolen scarf indoors.

8- A Good Blanket

When you’re sitting still, put a good quilt or blanket on your lap to lock in the warmth. Get those old quilts out of the closet or chest and make them a staple in your home this season. Snuggling up under a quilt not only keeps you warm but also invites you to read and relax!

Do you have any tips for wrapping up warm in the winter without relying too much on the heater? Share them with us in the comments!