The northeastern United States woke up to some true wintery weather today. Earlier this morning here at the Jersey shore, the temperature was less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit with windchills below zero. After a reasonably mild winter (so far), the change feels pretty dramatic to me. As I write this, I’m bundled up in layers — a tank top, tee shirt, and long sleeved shirt on top; long underwear beneath loose pants on the bottom.
Okay, I could just crank up the heat. But with the right layers, I don’t need to!
Whether you’re inside or out, keep these tips in mind to help deal with the cold snap.
- Thin layers will give you warmth plus freedom of movement. Bulky layers may feel cozy, but they’re also hard to move in. Your innermost layer should keep you warm and dry — choose something that wicks away moisture. Wool and cotton are not the best choices for your inner layer, because they dry slowly.
- Wear the right outerwear. It doesn’t matter how warm you are — if you get soaked, you’re going to be cold.
- Keep your head and hands covered. Body heat DOES escape through your head, so be sure to wear a warm hat when you’ll be outside. If you need your hands too much for gloves, you can always slip your hands into your pockets or put gloves on between tasks. I have a pair of dollar store gloves that I snipped the finger tips off of to wear while typing. They don’t look pretty, but they keep my palms and knuckles warm while I work.
- Keep your feet warm and dry. Did you know that your feet can sweat out a cup of perspiration during an active day? Footwear should be waterproof (to protect against external wetness) and breathable so your sweat can be wicked away.
- Warm up before activity. Cold weather can make you more prone to injury; get your blood pumping with a brisk walk and some light stretching.
The cold weather has an impact on your whole body. Look here for winter beauty tips.