Musings

9 Winter Warmers For Dealing With The Cold

Gemma - Wheelescapades

The older I get, the less a fan of winter I become. It’s 4.30pm right now, and it’s dark outside. I feel like hibernating, I mostly do (Edit: Even more so now we are on lockdown 2.0 of a pandemic that’s been happening for going on a year now). I have no intention of leaving the house after 5pm between November and March at all. It would have to be something amazing to get me over that threshold. If I’m already out it’s not so bad. But the thought of opening that door to a ghastly chill makes me grumpy. As does much of winter. Except the pretty snow.

I awoke the other morning to a dullness we haven’t had in a while. Dread crept in. Autumn had passed in the blink of an eye. Winter is here.

I’ve decided that winter is my least favourite season, with summer taking top spot, the colours of a warm autumn coming close second.

My house and car floors look a mess. I can’t just take my wheels off at the door, they come in with me, along with all the mud and soggy leaves. It’s grey and dull and cold and wet.

Rain seems to follow me everywhere. On the few occasions I plan to leave the house, the rain is there waiting for me. It’s not easy to run in the rain when you can’t run. Plus being seated there’s more surface area of me to get wet. I recently got a wheelchair waterproof poncho. It’s not very attractive, but needs must, and it keeps me mostly dry and warm.

I’m physically rubbish in the cold. I don’t mean that in the moany I don’t like the cold kind of way. I mean I’m useless. I cannot function. I can’t craft, I can’t drive my chair, and the worst thing, I can’t eat independently. Being fed isn’t as easy as you’d think.

I don’t have to be out in the cold to get cold. I get cold inside. Yes, even with the heating on.

I get cold easy, and I stay cold. I find it really difficult to get warm and keep warm. Probably due to the not moving thing.

Here are a few things that help me to keep cosy, maybe some will be useful for you too.

Get a cat

How is it animals are always warm and toasty? I know they’ve got all that fur, but I can put on the wooliest of jumpers and still be shivering underneath. There’s ample cat hair floating around here, maybe I can crochet a jumper from that and see if that works.

A fluffy black cat laying with his front legs stretched forwards. He is on a blue cushion.

If you’ve got a cat there’s nothing more cosy than snuggling up next to it or having it curl up on your lap radiating it’s warmth. If the cat doesn’t approve, or you haven’t got a cat (other animals are available but not as great or wise), and having pets isn’t an option, there’s always…

Hot water bottles

I’m a bit old school. There are heat pads and wheat bags and all kinds of warming alternatives (some even look like fake cats) that don’t come with a health and safety warning. But if like me you’re ok with the risk of a slight scald now and again then the hot water bottle is the gadget for you.

I love the smell, the comfort it brings, the simplicity, nothing stays as warm for quite so long. I’ve even been known to rock up to the pub, hot water bottle on lap. Just make sure you tighten the top well and replace the hot water bottle regularly to avoid it perishing.

Hand warmers

Are available too, if you’re not so keen on being seen in the local cuddling your bottle. Hot water that is.

These are also handy for festivals, holidays, days out and chilly winter walks. I have loads of the reusable type. When I say loads I mean at least 30. Each one only lasts for an hour of so, but give them a quick boil and simmer on the hob later and they are as good as new for up to 100 uses. Another great hand warming alternative is…

A good brew

Not just great for warming the hands, a hot drink can warm from the inside. I don’t know about you but when I get chilly it’s internally chilly and I can take hours to warm back up again. They say cold to the bones, it really does feel it.

I’ve recently got to taking a brew on the move, almost everywhere I go actually. With the recently installed cup holder on my wheelchair, and thermos cup at hand, I never need be without a brew again.

Edit:

Heated throw

Hot water bottles are so last year! I was gifted a heated throw for Christmas and I don’t know how I ever survived without it.

It’s a cozy fleece blanket that can be snuggled with during those binge watch sessions when all you want is to be warm and comfy. Or all the time if you’re me. It comes with a long cable and plug that needs plugging in, so unfortunately no wandering around or taking it to the pub as with my hot water bottle. However it’s much safer, has different heat settings, a timer and is energy efficient. My hot water bottle isn’t really redundant, but I wouldn’t recommend using both together.

Food can also be warming

I’m what I like to call a seasonal eater. The things in which I indulge in varies with the weather. I love the flavours that come with festivities. We’ve spoken before about pumpkin spice and mince pies. Just like a refreshing smoothie or Greek salad is perfect for summer, there’s nothing better than pie and mash or stew and dumplings in winter. Not only does it warm the body, it also comforts the soul. It provides that little extra layer or so to the waistline too, just as nature intended.

A crisp mince pie with a pastry star on top. The mine pie is broken in half so that you can see the filling coming out. It is on a while plate

Layers

The key to keeping warm, for me, is layers. I’m not a duvet girl. At night I have at least 5 blankets in a selection of fabrics, including fleece, wool and cotton. I currently use all 5 of these and 2 hot water bottles in bed. I like how the blankets can be interchangeable depending on my temperature. I can’t move at all when laying down. You won’t find me tossing and turning or kicking the the blankets off when I get too hot.

Layering up clothes also helps. I’m a vest wearer, yes I know how cool that makes me. I also have leg warmer, under the trousers, don’t worry, being born in the 80’s doesn’t mean I’m stuck there.

Knitwear

Is great for layering in the winter as it really seems to keep the heat in. I’ve recently discovered that men’s jumpers are definitely the way forward.

There’s so much unnecessary tatt added to ladies fashion, like it can’t just be practical. Don’t get me wrong, I like a bit of style, something different. But I don’t want sequins and pearls stitched on to every clothing item during the winter season. Ladies clothing seems to be so much about trend the past few years too. Something is in and out of the stores so quickly. The disposable era they say.

With men’s clothing becoming slightly more interesting but still within reason, there are some great items to be found. I got a waffle knit jumper, great for eating waffles in. You’d never know it was aimed at the male species. My voice doesn’t break when wearing it, I haven’t gained stubble, plus the sleeves are longer, so bonus arm warmers included!

Hats and scarfs

Are also great knitwear and something I seem to collect, I’m a sucker for anything wool. Even the crafting kind.

A headshot of myself, selfie style. I am wearing a stripy rainbow multicoloured knitted hat, and a cream coloured scarf with small birds printed on.

What are your top tips for keeping warm in winter?

An image to pin. The title text ‘Winter Warmers’ is placed over a blue mug of tea and a great wooden blanket.

An image to pin. Title text 9 Winter Warmers For Dealing With The Cold, is at the top in orange text on dark grey background. The below image is a close up of hands holding a mug, they have red painted nails and red knitted sleeves showing.

An image to pin. Title text in grey on cream background reads, 9 Winter Warmers For Dealing With The Cold, on the main two thirds. At the top is a pair of knitted red gloves hands holding a mug.

Published by Gemma - Wheelescapades

Whenever friends and I are out we always end up discussing, critiquing, analysing where we are and what we are doing. From talking about the food we are eating, the soap in the toilets, the awful bus journey to our destination, anything and everything we encounter. Because of my disability (SMA type2) many of the situations we get into, issues we discuss and laughs we have can be due to wheelchair access. Often me getting stuck in mud or shingle, or me making my way through the most cram packed shop you can imagine, wondering how I am ever going to find the way out again! I aim to write a blog that describes these dramas, tells stories of our laughs, adventures and frustrations, while giving detailed information on accessibility and wheelchair access. Also I like tea. ALOT. The quality of the tea often determines my return just as much as the accessibility.

34 thoughts on “9 Winter Warmers For Dealing With The Cold”

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  4. I love autumn and winter, always have! I’m more of a woollen slipper and throw kind of gal, have never owned an electric blanket. Love a good pot of tea and a comfy seat by the fire. Keep safe and warm 🔥☕

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  7. A cat is my number one too! We have 2 Devon Rex cats, one black and one white. They give out so much heat, much more than our ginger long hair who’s more than twice the size! I’m the black cat’s human and he sleeps on my lap at night, he keeps me so toasty, The white one manages to creep onto my feet in the colder months too! They’re much better than a hot water bottle!

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  8. Love this list! Am old school with the hot water bottles too, or maybe because we never get winters here so I don’t really use electric blankets.

    Seasonal foods are awesome! Really gets you in the mood and meant for it 🙂

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  9. I hear ya! The other day, I kept my hat on inside, all day, working at my desk. Of course, I can get up and move around, but because my job of writing is sedentary I often don’t. So, hats, and yes, many layers. Your hat in that pic is super cute–love those colors.

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  10. Oh, I hibernate in the winter too. I hate the cold. I do love winter food though. Can’t beat a bowl of soup or stew to warm you up at this time of year.
    Your post made me chuckle a few times. When I had a cat, I loved her lying on my in the winter – she was always so warm. Between her and our dog leaving their hair everywhere, I couldn’t probably have knitted enough winter woollies to stock every M&S in the country.
    Stay warm. I’m now off to refill my hot water bottle and make another cuppa.

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  11. I like the cozy idea of winter better than the reality. I hate socks. Except in winter. Because my chillblains come back. Just have to take socks off before bed, because over heating activates the itch. Can we all go to Florida?

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  12. I have never been a fan of the cold either. We recently moved from southern CA to VA, and I am not loving the weather, ha. But I do have a cat that likes to snuggle, so there’s that. ❤️

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  14. I adore winter, love the cosy, dark evenings and the Christmas lights etc, maybe even the hint of snow.

    But I’m a naturally cold person, cold to the bones is used at least once a day in my house.
    It doesn’t help that our attic is being converted so we are currently without flooring in the attic which means no insulation at all! Bye bye heating!

    Great tips though. I love the multiple bed layers, I just use a duvet but me and my fiancé differ so much temp wise that this could be a solution for us x

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    1. I do like the feeling of being cosy, lighting candles and getting under a blanket.
      I hope your loft conversion is sorted soon and you get some of that warmth back! What are you converting it to?

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  15. I’m in the hate-winter club so these are awesome suggestions that I love! I’m not sure with the cat one though.. I can’t tell if my cat keeps me warm, of if he’s just using me to keep warm himself 😂
    Yes all the way to all things wooly, to hats and scarves and thermal gloves, and tea. Lots and lots of hot tea!
    Wrap up warm lovely xxxx

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