Staying Warm and Healthy in Winter

Winter can be miserable. It's cold outside, you're cooped up indoors and it's also cold and flu season. While getting a cold is not as common in the summer, people are frequently missing school and work because of illness. Some of this is because of being stuck indoors, where germs can spread more easily. However, some studies have shown that a lowered body temperature can lower your immune response to something like the common cold.

You may be exposed to the common cold more common than you realize, since your immune system can often fight off the infection without causing any symptoms. When the body temperature is lower than normal, however, it is harder for the immune system to respond. Because of this, you should do whatever you can to keep yourself warm and dry during winter. Here are a few things to consider.

Bundle Up

Of course, the most common sense thing to do is to wear a winter coat when the temperature is cold outside. However, you want to protect other parts of your body, such as your face, hands and feet. Many people assume that most of the heat is lost through the head, but this is not actually the case.

While you should wear a heat to keep your head warm, you need to keep in mind that the body pulls heat from the extremities when it notices the body temperature going down. This means your hands and feet will lose heat first. If you will be outside for a long period of time, wear some waterproof gloves and some thermal socks. Getting some warm kids rain boots will help keep your children's feet warm and dry as well. In frigid temperatures, consider a scarf to cover your face, particularly when it is windy outside.

Layers

Another good tip is to wear layers. The more layers you can put between your body and the cold temperatures, the better. This will help keep you warm, while offering the option of removing a layer or two if you start to feel too hot. The layer closest to your body, particularly on your torso, should be able to wick away moisture if you were to start to sweat. Your middle layer should provide warmth, and should fit closely to your body, but not too tight. Your final layer should be able to block the wind and moisture you may encounter.

Use Heat

For many people, exposure to the cold is just temporary, but there are some people who have to spend a great deal of time outside in the cold. It may be someone with a certain profession, or perhaps someone watching a sports game. In this case, using heat can make a big difference.

For instance, you could use some portable heat packs that are meant to help with pain to help keep you warm. Of course, this runs the risk of you getting too hot, but you can just remove them if need be. Small heat packs can be great for keeping your hands and feet warm. Also, drinking a hot beverage such as hot cocoa or coffee can help warm you up on the inside.

Move Around

You are less likely to feel cold if you are moving around. Moving increases your heart rate, and can bring up your core body temperature. Try walking around or even jumping in place if you are looking for a way to warm up a bit.

Staying warm in winter is important to not only ward off illness, but also to prevent serious conditions such as hypothermia. Make sure you prepare anytime you are going to be outdoors in frigid temperatures with the proper attire. Layers that cover your torso can help keep your core warm, while hats, gloves and scarves can prevent other body parts from being exposed to the cold air. Finally, using heat and moving around can help keep your body temperature up, reducing your shivering and discomfort. These steps should help you stay warm, even in the middle of winter.