Life As Kim: Share our Lives - Ways to stay warm in Winter!

One of my favourite times of the month is linking up with the Share our Lives bloggers. A new year means a whole new set of prompts which I am very excited about. I think I have some ideas for all of the topics!

Anyway, January's prompt is: Ways to Stay Warm in Winter! I feel like this has came at the perfect time with the freezing temperatures that we have been having here. I am looking forward to reading what all the other bloggers share because I hate the cold, I turn into such a grump when I am cold and it will be nice to get some more ideas on how to stay warm.

Layer like you’re about to trek the Arctic!

This is the most obvious one, wear layers! It is the easiest and most effective way to stay warm. A simple t-shirt, a long sleeve top, a warm jumper and maybe even a cardigan underneath your coat, it all adds up. You stay warmer and you can peel a layer off if you start to get too warm indoors. It’s practical and it works every time! I am sat here today with a vest top, long sleeved top and a sweater. If I get colder I will add my snuddie and then I will probably end up sweating.

Create a warm morning routine!

Have your slippers right by the bed, warm a towel on the radiator and have a cup of tea ready to go. If your mornings feel warm it sets the tone for the whole day. It’s less about temperature and more about slowing down and easing into the day.

Heated blankets!

If you’ve never used an electric blanket just know you’re missing out on a level of comfort that feels illegal. It makes bedtime so much more appealing and it stops that cold shock you get when you first slide under the covers. If you have it say on the sofa it feels like such a luxury, I have a heated blanket which is powered by a USB and costs practically nothing to run.

Hot drinks on repeat!

Tea, hot chocolate, coffee, even soup. Anything warm is good and isn’t just for warming your hands, it warms you from the inside too. It gives you a moment to slow down and relax which is always welcome in the darker months! I have been enjoying soups over the past week or so for my lunch. I've been drinking it out of a mug and I also have a mug of tea on the go so I feel like I am doubling up on the heat!

Wear a scarf indoors!

This sounds odd but it seriously makes a difference. Your neck holds a lot of heat and keeping it warm helps your whole body warm up faster.

Blankets everywhere!

Having blankets dotted around the house is such a simple but lovely way to stay warm. On the sofa, on your bed even draped over your shoulders when you’re pottering about, they add instant comfort.

Thick socks!

Warm feet make such a difference to how warm you feel overall. A good pair of thick socks, the fluffy kind that feel soft and cosy is a winter must have. They’re perfect for cold floors, chilly evenings and days where you just want to feel a little more snug. I have so many pairs of thick socks and I love them.

Using the heating in short bursts!

With heating bills being what they are most of us are trying to be mindful but sometimes you really do need a warm up. Even popping the heating on for an hour can take the edge off, especially in the morning or late evening. It makes the whole house feel more cosy.

Wear fingerless gloves indoors!

If you’re working, typing or doing anything fiddly fingerless gloves keep your hands warm without making you feel clumsy. They’re cosy, practical and surprisingly helpful on long winter days.

Warm meals and baking!

Cooking warm meals or baking yummy is a great way to heat the kitchen while feeding yourself something good. Stews, pasta bakes, roasted vegetables anything that takes a while in the oven brings a little warmth into the room and the meal itself warms you up as well.

Draught stoppers!

Draughts can make a house feel much colder than it actually is. Using draught stoppers on doors can keep the warm air inside and the cold air out which makes a surprising difference. They’re simple, inexpensive and are really effective.

Use the closed door rule!

If a room isn’t in use, shut the door! It helps trap heat where you actually are instead of letting it drift away into the hall or other empty rooms.

Use soft lighting!

Warm lighting makes a room feel cosier. Lamps, fairy lights or even a couple of candles can change the whole atmosphere. It doesn’t technically warm the room but it makes it feel more inviting which counts for a lot during the darker months.

Use a slow cooker as a mini radiator!

If you’re cooking something in a slow cooker leave the lid off for the last half hour. It gently warms the kitchen, smells amazing and feels lovely on a cold day.

So that’s my collection of ways to stay warm without losing your mind to the cold. Winter can be tough but it also gives us permission to slow down, wrap up and find joy in the small cosy things.

How do you stay warm in the winter?