As summer fades again once more and we start to move back into the winter months, we can start to forget to do what makes us healthy and happy. As the nights draw in and the days get shorter and shorter, the temptation to close your curtains on the world and seek comfort in tasty food gets stronger and stronger.
This winter is going to be even more difficult for a lot of people. With the energy costs rising, millions of people all over the world are going to be affected by drastically increasing bills, worsened by rising inflation which are adding double digit percentage rises to their shopping lists.
The challenges we are facing make it more important than ever to make sure that we look after ourselves – and each other – if we are to ensure we come through the other side of this crisis intact. Millions of us may be facing increased adversity – but there are many tens of millions more for whom worsening winter adversity is an annual threat. For the populations in developing nations such as India and Pakistan, the months spent in sub zero temperatures with inadequate clothing and scarce food is life threatening, which is why it is so vital to share what you can through winter appeals.
Meanwhile, the following tips should help you get through the next few months. And before you know it, spring will be tapping on your window letting you know that the worse is over.
Below is a list of some of the things you can do to keep your home warm without putting the temperature up:
- Make sure you close your curtains tight in the evening to avoid any heat loss through the windows.
- If your curtains are particularly long, try and tuck them behind the radiator so that they don’t trap any warmth.
- Otherwise, keep the area around the radiators clear enough for the air to circulate freely.
- If you have rooms that are not being used, switch of the radiators in them and close the doors. No pint hearing an empty room.
- On sunny days encourage as much light and warmth into the house as possible.
- Make sure you bleed your radiators to ensure they are functioning as efficiently as possible.
- If you have used your oven for cooking – leave it partially open when you have finished. The heat will continue to circulate into the room as it cools down.
- Use a bit of Blutak to stick a sheet of tin foil behind your radiators. Tis will help to deflect the heat back into the room.
- Turn the thermostat down by one degree – you could be saving up to 10 per cent on your fuel bill.
- If you detect any draughts, use a good old fashioned draught excluder to protect yourself against them.
And for yourself:
- Make sure you get outside at least once a day for a good, brisk walk. This will get your circulation moving and help you to keep warmer overall.
- Get into soups. A thick warming soup full of vegetables and lentils is highly nutritious and easy on the pocket.
- Snuggle under a blanket. If you’re feeling the chill snuggle under a duvet. Putting your thermostat up could end up costing you big time!
- Check if you’re entitled to any grants or benefits.
- Make sure you are up to date on all your flu vaccinations.
- If you’re on your own and not working, make sure that you try and plan something in every day that is going to get you out and about.
Winter is a tough time for all, but the best bit about winter is that it does come to an end. A positive mindset will help you to power through until next spring.
