With winter months comes the chill factor. Sometimes even layering up doesn’t seem to chase that chill away, so what else can you do to get warm?

Let me first start by admitting that while it might sound like a fun way to warm up, though not very healthy, a shot of whiskey doesn’t actually make you warm; here’s why: “Alcohol may make your skin feel warm, but this apparent heat wave is deceptive. A nip or two actually causes your blood vessels to dilate, moving warm blood closer to the surface of your skin, making you feel warmer temporarily. At the same time, however, those same veins pumping blood closer to the skin’s surface cause you to lose core body heat – the heat you need to survive, especially if you’re stuck in a snow-drift. This effect could lead to fatal hypothermia.” (http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/alcohol-warms-up/)

Here are a few quick tips:

• Layer up, yes, it does help a little bit.
• Stay well-fed, it stokes the body’s furnace – make sure you eat quality food, fruit, veggies, nuts, lean proteins, etc.
• Drink water! Staying hydrated even in colder months keeps your body water balanced
• Acclimate – reduce your ‘set point’ by exposing yourself to cooler temps which in turn increases your body’s calorie consuming “brown fat” which releases energy as heat.
• Increase humidity in your home or office – humidity increases temperature.
• Eat hot soups and stews – they warm you from the inside out!
• Use a bean bag or rice bag heat pack. Warm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and keep it close, in a pocket or hold onto it near your stomach to warm you. They are simple to make, fill an old sock and tie it or get more creative and sew together a few attractive pouches for pockets, laps, and even your bed. Make various sizes. Make a few for your kid’s pockets for those cold days of waiting for the school bus.

I have found that fleece sheets are a necessity in my home. They’re warm when you get in and they keep you warm all night!

Stay warm!