Fall brings with it bright colors and gentle temperatures perfect for jackets and other cozy garments, but winter is right around the corner. Freezing temperatures, ice, and snow drive us indoors and force us to find creative ways to keep ourselves warm for those long few months. If you’re afraid of feeling chilly or struggled to stay warm last year, here are some better ways to keep yourself warm this winter.

Keeping Your Feet Warm

Ever notice how keeping your limbs warm can be difficult? This happens because your blood has a long way to travel to those areas of your body, and the taller you are, the harder your circulatory system must work. If simply bundling up isn’t working well enough, focus on keeping your feet warm. Warm woolen socks and slippers are a great way to do so, but the key will be to change your socks or slippers periodically. People often forget that their feet sweat and that sweat will turn your socks and slippers against you, making you feel colder than when you put them on.

When you’re outside, you may also want to add foam liners into your boots or hiking shoes to create an extra layer of insulation against the cold earth and snow.

Improving Your Heating System

A lot of older houses still make use of central heating or radiators. While these can, eventually, get the job done, there is a better and easier way. Swapping to baseboard heaters is beneficial because they use less electricity, and the heat rises evenly throughout the room rather than emanating and spreading from a specific source.

Heating Up the Bed

When you’re going to bed, resist the urge to crank the heat up for the entire house. Doing this can waste a lot of electricity, and you’ll only be driving up your heating bill unnecessarily. A better way to keep yourself warm this winter is by heating the bed directly with electric, wool, or fleece covers. Furthermore, before you go to bed, fill a water bottle with hot water, and place it under your blanket where your feet will be to make that area nice and toasty before you go to sleep. These methods are both less wasteful and less expensive in the long run.

Capturing Natural Heat

Even though it’s cold out, the sun is still a viable heat source. As the sun rises, make sure your blinds and curtains are wide open to allow natural light and heat to enter your home. As the day begins to wind down, close the blinds and drapes to trap the heat within the home. This is a great option for those looking to improve their carbon footprint without having to freeze.