16 ways to keep your body warm when it’s cold

When it gets cold, people often think of turning on the heater because it’s too tempting. But what if there were simpler ways to keep the body warm and comfortable during the winter months? You’ve come to the right place – this article will tell you many natural ways to warm up without heating. Plus, we’ll show you some ways to optimize your heating so you can get the most out of your heater’s warmth.

Table of Contents

Wear layers of clothes

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Detachable layers of clothing will help you stay warm and still look neat. Wear a loose shirt with moisture-wicking material as the innermost lining, then wear a warm sweater or sweatshirt over it to keep warm. If you plan to go outdoors, you can add a winter jacket or a waterproof jacket, depending on the weather conditions. ^{[1] X Research Source} Keep your feet warm with tights or long underwear under pants. Wear thick socks to protect your feet. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Silk and ppyester are good options for undergarments, but cotton isn’t ideal. Unlike ppyester and silk, cotton fabric absorbs sweat and will make you feel cold when it comes in contact with your skin.
Sweaters and jackets as a second layer of warmth are great. Wool is always warm, even if it absorbs sweat. ^{[3] X Research Sources}
Don’t put on extra heavy clothes over layers that are already thick and heavy.
Wear layers with lightweight clothing. For example, you can wear a cashmere sweater, wrap, or cape.

Stay warm in several layers of blankets

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The more layers of blankets you wrap, the warmer you will be. Instead of immediately increasing the temperature of the heater, wrap the blanket around you like a cocoon with any blanket in the house. With a heat retention effect, these blankets will keep you warm and comfortable without the expense of skyrocketing electricity bills. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Have a stack of blankets available in the rooms you use most often, such as the bedroom or family room.
An electric blanket will also give you great warmth and comfort, but don’t forget to follow the safety instructions that come with the product!

Hug someone

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A loved one, roommate or pet will also provide you with a valuable source of body heat. Hop on the bed or sofa and invite a friend or pet to sit with you. Body warmth is just as effective as any blanket, and moreover, people can double that warmth by hugging each other under blankets.

Enjoy a warm meal or drink

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Soups, teas, and any hot food or drink are great options. Hot foods and drinks warm the body from the inside out on a particularly cold day. ^{[5] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source} Plus, these are super easy to make – many soups and other foods can be made right in the microwave or on the stovetop.

If you don’t like tea, you can sip on hot coffee or cocoa.

Bake food in the oven

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An oven can help keep your kitchen warm. Stay in the kitchen while the food is baking in the oven to enjoy the warm surroundings. After turning off the oven, open the oven door slightly to let the remaining heat continue to radiate to warm the room. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Some people have the idea of using the oven as a heater, but this is not good. Operating ovens with the door open can release dangerous carbon monoxide into the air. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Indoor exercise

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An exercise will help raise your body temperature. Play an exercise video, hit the gym or do an impromptu dance session in your living room – any activity that increases circulation is good! ^{[8] X Research Sources} Body temperature will increase slightly during exercise and provide extra warmth in cold weather. ^{[9] X Trusted Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Go to Source}

Note that exercise only temporarily provides body heat. After 30-90 minutes of exercise, our body temperature will drop to normal.

Go upstairs

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The heat always rises to the top, so the upper floors can be warmer than the lower floors in the house. Technically, hot air is not as heavy as cold air. ^{[10] X Research Source} Because of that, the heat will rise up and spill into the top floor of the house. Before adjusting the thermostat, go upstairs to see if it’s warmer.

Open curtains and blinds during the day

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Turn daylight into a free source of heat. Open blinds and curtains in the sunniest locations in your home to take advantage of the sun’s natural heat source. When the sun goes down, close the curtains to keep the room as warm as possible. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Let the ceiling fan turn upside down

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A ceiling fan that rotates counterclockwise can help push warm air down. It sounds odd, but using a ceiling fan in the middle of winter really works! A ceiling fan that rotates clockwise will spread cool air throughout the room, but a ceiling fan that rotates counterclockwise will push warm air around. Check that your ceiling fan has a “reverse” function to take advantage of this effect. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Open the bathroom door while showering

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Humidity makes the bathroom seem a lot warmer. You can spread moisture to other corners of your home by opening the bathroom door a little while showering. ^{[13] X Research Source} Remember to turn off the exhaust fan in the bathroom when you step out so that the moisture doesn’t get sucked out.

Indoor carpeting

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A soft, fluffy rug won’t be as cold as a tiled floor. Put carpets on tile or wooden floors in large, open areas. Pay particular attention to the places where people walk the most so that their feet don’t touch the cold floor.

Check that the ventilation slots and heaters are not covered

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Furniture can block heating ventilation slots and prevent warm air from circulating. To avoid this, double-check the locations of ventilation slots and heaters in the most commonly used areas. The side of a table or sofa can easily block the heating vents and make the room cooler. Move furniture that is blocking the flow of air from the vents. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Redirect warm air with ventilation covers

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Magnetic vent covers block warm air from entering unused rooms. Review rooms that you use less often, especially during the winter months. Are there ventilation slots that blow warm air into those rooms? Magnetic vent covers can help – simply attach them to unused vents to push hot air into more used rooms. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Magnetic vent covers are available at hardware stores for less than $10.

Use a humidifier

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Humidity will keep the air much warmer than dry air. Try turning on the humidifier before turning on the heater. ^{[16] X Research Source} Note, don’t forget to clean the humidifier every few days, or at least once a week. ^{[17] X Research Source} You can place a humidifier in your bedroom or living room, or install it for the entire house, depending on your needs and conditions. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

A humidifier for one room costs about less than $50 (1 million VND), while a humidifier for the whole house usually costs as low as $100-300 (2 million – 6 million VND). The price also depends on the quality or brand of the machine.

Seal gaps in doors and windows

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Apply glue and install door slits to prevent cold air from entering the house. Check the edges of doors and windows for openings or cracks. If so, seal the openings with sealant to prevent warm air from escaping. If you find a large gap in a door or window, you can fix it with door slits. ^{[19] X Research Source}

You can also seal large gaps with expanded foam.

Burn the fireplace

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A fireplace can be a valuable source of heat for a room if used correctly. Double check that the chimney is open, and always place a fire screen in front of the fireplace door. Remember to keep the igniter fuel at least 1 meter away from the heater. To ensure safety, you need to appoint someone to always stay in the room when the fire is burning in the fireplace, and remember to put out the fire after use. ^{[20] X Research Sources}

Do not use the heater when it is windy outside because of the risk of fire.
Try to use the heater every now and then instead of every night. Unfortunately, open fireplace chimneys also lose valuable heat in the home, so it’s not a very efficient energy source. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Advice

Thermal patches and microwave heating pads are excellent temporary sources of heat. You can buy a pack of thermal pads at major retailers for less than $10 and a microwave heating pad online for under $20.

Steps