Winter is here! Well, at least Kenya’s version of winter. The drop in temperature is enough to make you want to lock yourself up in the house all day. Where you get cosied up in your warmest clothes, a blanket, some hot chocolate and you can binge watch a great series. Sadly, that is not the reality of life. Whether it is freezing cold or it is a furnace, life has to continue. By life, I mean going to work. You only get to skip this predicament if you work for home. For those who are not so lucky, you have to find other means to warm yourself up while at the office especially if you do not have heaters. Try out some of these tips.
Stay Hydrated
There has always been this argument between the option of hot or cold water to keep warm. According to Neuroscientist Peter McNaughton, drinking extremely hot drinks has the opposite effect on you. Your tongue sends signals to the body that something hot is coming so your body reacts and starts sweating. You will only be warm for a while. So you would need to keep drinking hot drinks to keep warm which may prove to be too much for your bladder. On the other hand, drinking cold water signals your body to heat the liquid up so it can match your body temperature. In doing so it dissipates heat. Additionally, your vessels tend to tighten thus keeping you warmer. So you should try taking more cold water as opposed to warm. A tough option especially when it is cold but there is no harm in trying.
Layering
The “layering system” is essentially a way of layering clothes together to ensure you are comfortable when its cold. This could be to keep you warm or to cool you down. Layering often only refers to tops and jackets but you can layer leggings and trousers in the same way.
It is time to think through your outfit, you need to wear more than just a shirt and trousers or skirt. Sometimes a simple warm jacket just will not do. Tap into your fashion side and come up with outfits that look formal or business casual but warm. Use small sweaters, scarfs, small-sized tops, vests, stockings etc. Use whatever you can to layer your outfit. You will not even feel that cold breeze for a second.
Watch what you eat
If there was ever a time you should be watching what you eat, it should be now. Your body releases a lot of heat as it digests and metabolizes your food. So the first thing is to ensure you eat more than 3 meals a day. Carry a snack or two to work. Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates so they can boost your energy. Add proteins and fat so they can be stored. So when you are not actively digesting food, your body can metabolize your stored fat.
Sit on a blanket or scarf
Depending on our work environment and rules, covering yourself up with a blanket may not be an option. You may need to get a little clever. Instead of using a blanket to cover yourself, drape it nicely on your seat. Over time, hot air will be trapped between the chair and the blanket keeping your body warm throughout the day. You can place a scarf on the headrest of your seat if your neck is feeling cold too. For the Men: How to look stylish in a scarf
Keep moving
This may not be possible for especially if your job requires you to be on your work desk most of the time. However, even then you can make the most of what you got. Walk around the office when you can. Walk from one office to another instead of phoning in. Offer to make your colleagues some coffee as you make your own. The important thing is to keep your body moving.
Here are some other tips you should check out – 16 ways to stay warm when your office is freezing.
Speaking of eating in the office, Lifestyle: 5 Tips For Enjoying Healthy Meals In Your Office
