HOW TO STAY WARM IN WINTER

In a world where everything costs the earth, taking some simple steps to keep your heating down, will not only give you a reduced bill at the end of the season, but also save the planet. So why not try these simple steps before making the choice to turn that heater on.

I'm freezing!

This is a list of things you can do immediately, for when you think you might lose extremities to frost bite if you don’t do something about your body temperature quick sharp!

Have a bath
Make sure there are lots of bubbles, some good face mask (even boys), and soak until feeling has returned to your outer reaches, and your cheeks are a nice rosy colour. Climbing into fleecy pj’s or under a warm blanket will prolong the warming effect.

Have something hot to eat or drink
You could go for the tea/coffee/hot chocolate option, or maybe some soup. Whatever your drink of choice, clasp it tightly to warm your fingers at the same time. Finally some good hearty stodge (casserole, pasta, paella, porridge, jacket spud) will kick-start your internal central heating. TRY SOMETHING NEW - GO SCOTTISH AND COOK YOURSELF SOME STOVIES

Slippers and thick socks
Someone once told me that cold feet are the origin of everything bad…or something like that. Thick socks, and fur lined bootie slippers will eradicate all evil. AND IF YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY AND GET WARM, TAKE UP KNITTING; SOCKS, JUMPERS, BLANKETS, HOT WATER BOTTLE COVERS – THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

Hot Water Bottle
Fill it up with the water that is left over from the hot drink you have just made, and hold it close. It is worth investing ina decent hot water bottle cover. My one is brilliant and the water is still warm in the morning.

Layers
Thermal Undies, thin jumper, thick woollen/fleece sweater, something around your neck, a hat (although be sure to get one that isn’t itchy – this may look slightly silly if inside also), and warm trousers. You may end up looking like the Michelin man, but this is a small price to pay for snugness.

Blanket
Its very easy to rush to get the heating cranking, but fuel prices are rocketing at the moment, and there are much more fun things to spend your cash on – if you are watching television or playing video games, snuggle under a blanket to be just as toasty.

Now I’m sorted, what about this freezing house!

It all very well wrapping up warm, in thick socks and woolly hats, but if an arctic gale is blowing through the living room, its time to take action to make the house winter proof too. There are many steps you can take before resorting to switching on the central heating.

Open up the curtains of south facing rooms,
to allow remaining mid day sun to heat the room a little in the day, then draw them at night to keep all the heat in.

Insulate your windows
Either with stormshield instant glazing (cling film and sticky tape kit!), or curtains (ikea do a huge pair for only £11).

Draft excluders
The old fashioned stuffed snake for under ill-fitting doors, and foam insulating tape for smaller gaps around doors and windows.

Close unused rooms
Rooms you don’t use regularly have no need for heating, so turn the radiator off and keep the door closed.

Make sure your duvet is the highest tog possible
You can pick up a 15 tog these days for £8. Also a fleece mattress topper will be cheaper to buy and run than an electric blanket and will keep you cosy from below just as well.

Close all your internal doors

When cooking the dinner…
using a slow cooker takes far less energy than cranking up the oven. If you do use the oven though, be sure to leave the door ajar after you have finished to use the heat that remains to warm the room.

Get the fire going
If you have an unused fireplace with a functioning chimney, get the chimney sweep in, and get yourself a cheap fire grate for the ultimate winter domestic bliss. Fire grates and baskets can be purchased from Trago mills from around £20, and fuel is great value at Mole Valley Farmers in Cullompton. Make a vow to collect wood next summer to get heat for free next year.

And if you do need a bit of a heat source

Burn candles
You can buy cheap church style candles, which when burning in association with a little gang of their candle friends, will raise the room temperature just enough to keep the frostbite at bay. PLEASE BURN CANDLES SAFELY, OTHERWISE YOUR HOUSE MAY END UP A LITTLE WARMER THAN YOU WOULD LIKE…

If you are going to use a heater…
The oil filled electric heaters may not be as cheap as taking the hypothermic option of going without, but they can heat a small space cheaply, despite taking a while to warm up. A great option if you spend most of your evening in only one room.

If you are using the central heating…
Program it to come on only when you are in the house, and off when you are cosily snuggled under the duvet. Also, reducing your temperature setting by even only a couple of degree will save you a good amount in cost, and you probably won’t notice too much difference.

And finally the best ways to stay warm this winter are

Book a winter sun break and forget all about icy dew and wind chill or embark in some…

Exercise and cuddles. Maybe at the same time…