Winter is the season where grey skies trigger a lack of energy and make us wish we were sleeping all hours of the day. It is the time of the year electricity bills go up and greenhouse gas emissions skyrocket. However, keeping ourselves warm is the solution to a case of the winter blues and doing it the eco-friendly way can save money and the environment. Here’s how:
1. Layer your clothing
No you don’t need to wear a huge, heavy and puffy coat to keep you warm. When you wear multiple layers of clothing, air is trapped between them, acting as an insulator. Hence the more layers you wear, the warmer you are.
If you’re not familiar with layering clothing, the tip is to start with a tank or tee and overlay it with a coat or jacket. Boody clothing sells the types of tanks, tees, socks and leggings you would want when layering for the cold. Made from bamboo, the brand is eco-friendly and gentle on the skin. Bamboo is a natural fibre whose cultivation results in a decrease of greenhouse gases. Boody bamboo clothing is thermo-regulating, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
2. Build up a sweat
It’s no secret that exercise increases body temperature. It is one of the cheapest, simplest and healthiest ways to warm up your body. If you tend to get a bit grumpy when it’s cold, exercising can also lead to a happy mind.
“All exercise can increase your levels of those feel-good hormones, endorphins,” says Kevin Plancher, M.D., head of Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in an interview with Women’s Health Magazine. “But because your body has to work harder in the cold, your endorphin production is boosted even more, leading to a happier state of mind.”
3. Insulate or cover windows
Whatever heat you have in your house this winter can be lost if windows are left uncovered. There are multiple sustainable ways to insulate your windows and ensure all warmth remains inside the house. Eco-friendly window films can be found easily online. It insulates and has the same thermal performance as double-glazing, which makes it a cheap way to get effective results. However, another option is to hang some thick curtains to cover your windows, which can be just as effective.
4. Stock up on heat packs
Heat packs use a lot less energy when compared to heating a whole room in your house. One-two minutes in the microwave can give instant warmth. Rita’s Wheat Packs is an eco-friendly option that comes in two sizes and is 100% Australian made from 100% naturally scented cotton corduroy. There is truly no better feeling than snuggling something warm in winter.
5. Close the doors to the rooms you don’t use
Shutting the doors to the rooms you don’t use allows easy control of where the heat is going. The more doors shut, the smaller the space needed to be heated, which means a warmer environment for you!
So with the first month of winter down, and another two months of cold and miserable weather to be expected, these solutions will help make the season bearable, bringing you comfort and warmth without costing the earth.