Is it cold enough yet?
Looking at the #boiler longingly?
Have you turned the #heating on yet, or are you holding out?
It's quickly rolling around to that time of year when the heating "should" be turned on.
#Cold mornings, a bite in the air, sideways rain and miserable dank evenings it's certainly not going to be fun for many this #winter.
Of course, you don't need us to point out the BLEEPING obvious, so rather than pointing to a problem, what if we could offer a way to manage the impact on you, your business and your family?
This isn't a solution – we don't have a secret untapped gas pocket squirrelled away!
It's a way to improve protection, comfort and functionality during colder temperatures.
We have 4 key areas to consider to help you manage.
Let's get the "sciency" bit out of the way first – Concerning clothing, the main element that keeps people warm during cold periods is, wait for it, air.
That's right, the stuff that you breathe in and out.
Air is one of the best naturally occurring insulators.
Air is a poor conductor of heat, which means body heat doesn't radiate efficiently through it, and cold air doesn't easily penetrate it. This probably sounds ridiculous if you've ever hopped out of the shower first thing in the morning.
But trapping air between layers of clothing ensures greater #heat retention – it's why a #jacket or a "big coat" (if you're from the north) is so effective when going outside in cold weather.
However, try sitting at a desk or on your sofa wearing your big coat – it will keep you warm, but it isn't comfortable or even vaguely functional.
So, we have to take the benefits of a jacket and utilise it in other ways to ensure performance without impacting #thermal protection.
4 key areas to concentrate on:
No 1 - Everyone will have heard of long johns, thermal underwear or #baselayers.
These are key to keeping the body and legs warm even when inactive.
They are the foundation or base (see what I did there) to build up the layers to trap more air and retain more body heat.
You don't need anything special or expensive you need good quality anti-bacterial base layers to wear underneath your typical clothing.
You can then layer up as you wish with #tshirts, #shirts, #sweaters/ #hoodies, cardigans or fleeces if necessary and take the layers off if you become too warm or uncomfortable.
No 2 – The head – this can be a strange one for some, as the idea of wearing headwear indoors is not ideal, but when the needs must, it's worth having a #hat.
Again, you don't need anything exotic or expensive a basic #Thinsulate #beanie will suffice if you don't already have a hat.
It's just to keep your head and ears warm if temperatures drop and can be removed when or if it becomes uncomfortable.
No 3 – Hands – easy, right? Just wear #gloves!
Well, not so fast. What if you're typing?
Have you tried typing in gloves – Yeah, it doesn't really work. It's not very practical.
It depends on what jobs or activities you are doing that will determine whether gloves or moving the phalanges will be a better course.
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If you are at home or have elderly/vulnerable family members, you could use touch screen gloves to keep hands and fingers warm and still use tablet and mobile devices.
No 4 – Feet. We've left this to last as it's the part of the body that may determine the comfort levels through the rest of the body.
Speaking from experience, I can be sweating, yet I will still feel cold if my feet are like blocks of ice.
Putting on #socks and even slippers (needs must) seemingly takes ages to warm them up, and I'm conscious of the discomfort for a long time.
For me, this means I need to preemptively protect my feet if I want to avoid feeling discomfort.
I know quite a few people who also have this feeling, so one or two of you may feel the same.
#Protecting your extremities (hands and feet) is paramount to keeping relatively comfortable in colder temperatures, especially if people are inactive or stationary for periods of time.
You may be amazed how much difference warm feet and hands make to your ability to function even in severe weather.
What products should you look for?
While we can source and supply these products, we focus more on bulk quantities, which means if you need single items, you may find them cheaper by looking online or in physical stores like supermarkets or outlets.
However, if you want someone to put a bundle together for your workforce or family members, we can certainly help you with that.
#Thermal #baselayers:?Anti-bacterial is worth looking for as these garments will close to your skin. You don't want to solve one problem (heat) but create another with skin conditions requiring loose-fitting clothing.
Wearing #antibacterial base layers will help with this, and we recommend sourcing three sets per person – one to wear, one ready to wear and one in the washing cycle.
#Headwear:?Most people will have a hat of some description, but if you don't, there is no need to spend a lot to get a decent option. You can pick up beanies for around ￡4.00 online.
#Gloves:?Gloves are plentiful and can be picked up online for a few quid or at #supermarkets like Aldi UK for around ￡5.00.
#Touchscreen gloves can be picked up for around ￡8-￡10, depending on where you look.
As far as gloves are concerned, as long as you have something to keep your hands and fingers warm, they will do.
#Feet:?This is the one that needs the most attention, as cold feet can make the day feel longer and can change your mood and functionality more than the other three areas.
Wear regular socks or tights/leggings, then wear #thermalsocks over them to add another layer of trapped air. These can be picked up online for a few quid a pair of buy packs from around ￡10.00.
If you have decent slippers or warm indoor footwear, wear them as the last layer.
You can always remove them if your feet get too warm.
Here is a little sage advice we operate by and applies in this case:
It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Hopefully, this information helps, and you can use some of the points above to help your colleagues or family members out in the coming months.
We're here if we can help.
You can speak with Dave Guy Andrew Clarke Stewart McAllister Coral Wade
Thanks for the like Neil – I know you guys are exposed up on high and will know the advantages of getting the right balance between performance and protection. If we can get this message out to other people, it should help them deal with the cold weather. #TLDR:?Layer up clothing from #baselayers #beaniehats #gloves and #thermalsocks. Wear everyday clothing over them to "trap" as much body heat, improving #efficiency and staying comfortable.