We know you don’t want to hear it, it’s something almost everyone has been avoiding the thought of – Winter. As Canadian’s, historically we’re well known for handling winter, however that doesn’t mean it gets any easier year after year – but that’s okay, we’re here to help.
As you’re probably going to be hibernating this winter like the rest of us, we felt we could share some tips and tricks for staying warm this winter in your apartment without cranking the heat or sending the boilers into overdrive. Your apartment by law is heated to 20-21 degrees Celsius pending your city’s regulation. For your own comfort and preference, we’ve put together some tips that can help you stay even warmer during the winter months if you need a little bit of extra comfort.
Layer up!
Don’t crank the heat just yet. Now is the perfect time to whip out those ugly Christmas sweaters you’ve been stashing under your bed all summer. Layers consisting of warm, heat insulating fabrics like wool, cotton, down, or flannel work well underneath almost anything and are guaranteed to keep you cozy. Don’t forget cozy socks because once your feet are cold, everything else will get cold, too.
Get Cozy!
Winter is the perfect time to switch up your bedding for warmer, thicker, and cozier options. Try flannel sheets, extra blankets, and feather duvets. If you want to get fancy, you could also invest in an electric heat blanket for those particularly cold days. Just like your clothing, layers are really important here because you can adjust the amount of warmth day to day.
Eat, Drink and be Merry!
There are certain foods that work absolute wonders at keeping you warmer during the winter. It comes as no surprise that soups, stews and chillis are great options because warm foods take less energy to digest (and energy is heat!), try adding chilli peppers or real ginger to these dishes for extra warmth. Surprisingly, ice cold water is great for warming you up. That’s right, drinking ice cold water actually forces your internal body temperature to rise. So enjoy yourself this winter, you’ll have plenty of layers to cover up your food baby.
Utilize your windows – the right way!
You wouldn’t think that using your windows during the winter in any way could help with warmth, but it can! Keep your windows sealed tight during the winter to keep out drafts, if you do have issues be sure to report them to your building management. However, keeping your curtains or blinds open on a sunny day during the winter is a great way to heat up your apartment. Thick curtains also work as fantastic heat insulators to keep all that warmth inside where it belongs!
Enjoy the warm glow of candlelight.
Unfortunately, we can’t all have a wood stove or a fire place. Candles, when used safely and appropriately, are a great way to heat up small spaces and make a great substitute. Candles, after all, are flames, and they can emit enough physical heat to warm up a space. Just be sure to always supervise lit candles and never leave them unattended at any time. When used safely, they create a fantastic, warm and cozy ambiance perfect for the colder months.
