Winter has well and truly returned (though you might wonder whether autumn was ever really here). And, while we may not reach freezing temperatures, staying warm is just as important.
Here's a thought: Our average indoor home temperature is generally 4-5 degrees cooler than the chilly climes of Sweden, helped in no part by many Australian homes not being effectively insulated or heated. Colder homes means a significant increase in our risk of respiratory conditions, infections and, well... being cold!
Thankfully, there are simple ways to stay cosy, reduce your health risks and save on your energy bills. Read on to find out how!
It can be difficult to choose the most cost-efficient, effective heater. Pick the wrong size or style, and you're paying needless extra money for less warmth.
So we created a complete guide to finding the right heater for your home.
If you're after a personal heating solution, you might also consider an electric blanket. It's a cost-effective, easily adjustable way to keep your whole body warm.
Program your heater to turn on 30 minutes before you leave and before you get home, and at a slightly lower temperature. It will still heat up quickly, and you’ll save yourself time and money by not having to jack it up when you roll out of bed or get home from work.
And you won’t waste money leaving your heating on all day, either.
If you have central heating, turn it down to 18-20°C.
That might sound completely ridiculous. Surely banging the temperature up to 25 and then turning it down makes more sense, right?
You'd be surprised. Turning your thermostat down to the recommended 20°C not only keeps a comfortable, ideal ambient temperature – it can reduce your heating bill by up to 10% per 1°C.
While we may not technically hibernate, winter invariably slows us down. Suddenly, the temptation to hit the Snooze button, put off exercising ('tomorrow, tomorrow'), or ordering comfort foods to avoid blustery grocery shops (and the associated winter weight gain).
Or, if you need convincing as to why a small cooker is something you (most definitely) need in your life, check out our Buying Guide for Small Cookers.
Create tasty vitamin-rich brews
• Echinacea tea is a traditional remedy used for infections and viruses, such as the common cold and Flu. It's got no known toxicity, which makes it ideal for anyone.
• Rosehip tea - 100g of fresh rosehip contains about 30x the Vitamin C content of citrus. The body doesn't store Vitamin C, so it's important to keep daily levels high.
• Ginger is a muscle relaxant and immune system booster. Brewed with lemon and mixed with a bit of honey, it's a delicious way to support your health.
Good Omega 3 fats (almonds, avocadoes, oily fish, flaxseed, soy beans, walnuts and wild rice) also help reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
Gaps around doors, uncovered floors and windows account for a significant amount of heat loss throughout the home. Blocking or insulating these openings ensures your heater is more effective and that more heat is retained.
Doors: Use a door sausage to cover the gap under doors. You'll retain heat within the room for longer. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own draught stopper.
Floors: A rug is more than just a decorative floor piece. Uncovered floors contribute to how cold a room is - a large rug will add a layer of warmth.
Windows: Curtains help to keep warm air in and cold air out. Install curtains that fit tightly to the windows to trap cold air, as thick, heavy curtains that don't fully cover the window still let warmth escape.
Contrary to the advice of our well-meaning mothers, we don’t lose most of our heat through our head.
But it helps to keep the surface of your skin covered as much as possible - especially the back of the neck and lower back, which are generally the most sensitive to cold.
• Wear your thinnest layers closest to your skin and thickest on top. Thinner layers wick sweat away from the skin and trap heat, keeping you as warm as possible.
• Runner's tights and lightweight thermal gear are an invisible way of retaining body heat. A light vest under your work jacket also helps keep warmth in.
