Here are some practical ways to stay warm in spite of the cold front.
The recent cold snap has the entire United States trying to stay warm.
We happen to live in one of the coldest parts of the country. Because we heat with oil and consume so much oil in the winter, we try to keep our thermostats turned down to manage our oil consumption. We must also be creative in our efforts to keep our utility bills low.
Here are a few ways to keep from going into debt in the winter.
Keep your head and feet warm.
Besides the commonly known layering clothing, we keep our feet and heads toasty. Merino wool is the best material we have found for our feet and heads. Merino wool socks can be expensive, but they do a great job. Change your socks if and when your feet sweat. Use foam liners inside your shoes to give your feet an extra layer of insulation against the cold earth.
Don’t turn up the heat for the whole house!
Use an electric blanket instead. A less expensive and safer option is a hot water bottle with a soft, warm cover.
You can fill a bottle with hot water before going to bed and slip it under the covers where your body feels cold. By the time you go to bed, your bed is toasty.
Use rice! Put the rice in a fabric container of sorts, and then warm it in the microwave. Put it under your covers, and it will generate heat for half the night.
Heating pads work also. Mine has an auto shut off after 30 minutes, but I usually sleep long before 30 minutes pass.
Humidify your home. Not only does a humidifier raise the temperature in your home, but it also eliminates the dry air that results from heating your home. If anyone in your home bathes instead of showering, let the bath water remain in the tub until it is room temperature. This adds both warmth and humidity to your home.
Keep your body warm.
Eating hot food helps. Soups and warm drinks are our favorites.
Staying active works, too. I walk on a treadmill as often as possible for as long as I can and do housework. Both of these activities raise my body temperature. It is important to remain active only as long as it takes to get you warm without sweating. When you sweat, the moisture trapped in on your skin and in your clothing can make you feel cooler.
Wearing a cover even when in your home helps, too. I prefer my “Huggle”, a gift my husband bought for me at Walmart for $29.
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Cold weather will pass, and spring will come again. In the meantime, I hope you and your loved ones stay warm without running up unreasonable heating bills!
Let the encouraging words in these near a river posts help you
soar like an eagle above life’s storms.
Does this monster threaten your well-being?
Please do not let the US repeat history!
You can get over life’s speed bumps!
Dear Friend, do you feel sad?