Staying warm even in winter
If you’re sensitive to the cold and the cold prevents you from engaging in winter activities, here are a few tips on how to keep warm without feeling uncomfortably hot. To do this, you need proper clothing, of course, but you must also know how to conserve heat and make the most of the heat generated by exercise and food.
How to dress
- Dressing in layers is the most effective way of keeping warm.
- Synthetic fibres preserve heat more efficiently than cotton.
- Wool also keeps the body warm.
- Certain waterproof fabrics (oilcloth, urethane-coated nylon, PVC, etc.) and other types of fabric are also very effective because they prevent humidity from penetrating while allowing moisture vapour to escape (Gore-Tex, Helly Tech, Climate, etc).
The more we keep our bodies warm, the more heat will circulate to our feet and hands. Determine your needs and choose clothing made of fabric that is suitable for the activity in question.
Often neglected, the extremities of the body—head, hands and feet—must be covered to preserve heat. Why? Since blood circulation is concentrated around the vital organs (heart, lungs, brain), the extremities get colder faster.
Did you know that
- 40% of body heat is lost when your head is not covered
- damp feet and hands will make the rest of your body colder; it is therefore important to wear waterproof gloves or mittens and boots
How to minimize heat loss and maximize heat gain
Avoid exposing your skin to the wind so as to minimize heat loss. Remember to:
- Button up
- Pull up your collar or wear a hood
- Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants
- Wear a hat that fits snugly on your head
Drink hot liquids (herbal teas, chicken broth) in order to maximize heat gain and, above all, avoid alcoholic beverages since alcohol increases blood flow to the skin, which has the effect of cooling you down quickly. The feeling of heat or warmth is therefore illusory. Another tip for keeping warm is to jump up and down in place: the effect will be almost instantaneous. If the sun is shining or if you have a campfire going, take advantage of it, as these are excellent sources of heat that will allow you to stay outdoors longer.
- Learning to skate
- How to choose a pair of ice skates
- How to make a skating rink
- Disc golf
- Staying warm, even in the winter
- Guide to winter comfort
- Introduction to broomball
- Nordic walking in Québec
- Avoiding injuries caused by extreme cold
- Criteria for a good family tobogganing area
- Cold hands, hot meals!
- Danger! Frozen bodies of water
New tips
