It’s November and we all know what that means… I’m cold! And if history repeats itself, that also means I will stay that way until mid-March.
I sometimes think it is Mother Nature’s way of telling me that it goes against nature to be out and about over these frosty months. But then reality kicks in, along with the realization that I still need to work for a living, which then sends me outside, grudgingly braving another winter.
Over the years, friends and family members who may have had an accidental run-in with my permafrost hands or glacial feet suggested that I bring the condition to the attention of a doctor, before they contact a mortician to confirm that I am in fact alive.
I have to agree though. My hands can get so cold sometimes, even the cat won’t play with me.
To the disbelief of my inner circle, the medical community has concluded that everything is actually normal with me.
With that verdict in, I have had to adjust and to find ways to get warm and to stay warm, even if it means a commitment to a life of layered looks and thermal wear, outdoors and indoors.
Here they are, the top 10 remedies for when “I’m cold”
10. Take a nice long bath or shower
On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing better than the ceremony of a hot bath or shower to take away the winter’s chill.
9. Vacuuming
If there is one household activity that warms me up quickly, it’s vacuuming. The cat hates it when I do, but it is a sure-fire way to get the blood pumping, send some warm air throughout the house and to start feeling toasty. When it’s minus 30 outside for several days in a row, you can bet that I have the cleanest house in town. Dust and cat hair does not stand a chance. It’s a weird remedy, but it works.
8. Going outside
As counter-intuitive as that might sound, getting dressed in cold weather gear (such as my “parka shot” above) and braving the sub-zero temperatures outdoors, even if just for a few minutes, seems to change my perception of cold. When I get back into the house or office, it feels warmer than when I stepped out.
7. Working out
If I can lure myself out from under the pillow and blanket fort, I know that working out is a sure way to get my motor running and to feel warmer for several hours after that.
6. Baking
This measure seems pretty straightforward. Even if it is just to bake one batch of gluten-free cookies or banana bread, the extra heat generated by the oven, recirculated through the house, is often enough to take the edge off the winter’s chill. Plus what can beat the aroma of fresh baking on a cold winter day?
5. Putting on a sweater
Dad was right all those years ago! Putting on a sweater can help. But he never mentioned anything about putting two sweaters on!… what a difference!
4. Putting on a tuque
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to hipsters for making knitted headwear socially acceptable for wearing indoors. Functional fashion! I like it!
3. Getting a warm drink
Hot tea, hot chocolate, hot coffee, hot toddy… what a great way to feel toasty from the inside out.
2. Invite the cat to come and take a nap on me
If I am relaxing on the couch, wrapped up in my favourite blanket(s), if I can get the cat to join me, her amazing ability to radiate heat is like having my own mini-furnace anywhere I need it. I don’t know who enjoys those times more: me, for the added warmth, or her, for the extra attention she can get. It’s a win-win situation.
1. Put a log on the fire
I am most fortunate in having a wood burning fireplace. I don’t use it that often, but when I do, it does indeed take some of the chill out of the air. This works as long as I stay in the living room. Unfortunately, with a roaring fire in the fireplace, the thermostat (located near the living room) thinks it is warm and then the furnace doesn’t come on, leaving the rest of the house feeling colder than when I began.
I guess that’s why I don’t use the fireplace as often as I could. It’s a good thing I have the remaining 9 measures to keep me warm until the snow thaws… then my hands and feet will do the same.
Did you enjoy this post? If you did, your likes and shares are most appreciated.
If you haven’t already, please check out the rest of my blog at andrebegin.blog. From there, you can click on the “Follow” button to receive future posts directly in your inbox.
Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André
It's the Journey 