This article only aims to give you a few more tools to your belt to make sure that you stay warm this winter. You will find yourself more productive and even might enjoy it.
Eat, A Lot
When you are outside in cold temperature, your body will burn off a lot more calories. How much more? Well, if you are an alpinist in the cold winter, you might consider eating between 3600 and 6000 calories per day instead of the recommended 1600 to 2400 for average adults. Although I doubt that you will be doing any alpine expedition this season, you might want to consider the fact that your body will have to spend more energy to warm itself and the air you inhale in the winter. A good rule of thumb might be to eat about 10% more calories than in your summer diet. Eat good but calorie rich food, like dried fruits and nuts. A menu full of carbs is also proven to help the body warm up, so don’t skimp on the pastas. Also, being well equipped to stay warm will ensure you burn less calories since you will be able to stay warmer for a longer period of time.
It’s Easier to Stay Warm then to Get Warm
Remember that most of your heat escapes through the top of your head, the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. You might consider investing in good gloves, carry extra pairs of socks and always wear a hat outside. As you most likely already know, it is better to have multiple layers of loose clothing which you can take off if it ever gets too warm. It is best to avoid sweating at all while working outside in the winter. When your feet get cold, change socks and remember to go warm up inside, if possible, once in a while. Also, try to stay away from cotton and goose downs since they isolate very poorly when humid or wet. The best fabric for winter is wool, by far.
Drink a Lot of Water
Remember to drink plenty of fluids throughout your workdays. The cold tends to block the mechanisms that indicate your thirst, so even though you might not feel thirsty, you might be dehydrated. In colder climates, you still sweat and lose quite a lot of fluid through your breathing, so consciously consuming water, even if you are not thirsty, is always good. Just make sure that your water is not too cold; ice cold water can decrease greatly your body temperature. Plus, don’t drink soft drinks or juice, stick to what will hydrate you. Tea and coffee are not bad either to warm you up, but don’t drink too much of them since caffeine can prevent your body from heating itself up and dehydrate you in the process.
I hope these tips have been helpful to you. I know that most of you who work outside may be familiar with most of these facts, but sometimes a quick reminder stays helpful. Remember that if you are outside for an extended period of time you should: dress accordingly, eat well and drink plenty of fluid. Enjoy you winter season and feel free to comment on this article if you have more winter tips for other construction workers.
