Warmer Clothing in Winter: Wearing Multiple Layers: Keeping Warm.

Further to the previous post on my experiment in trying to lower the cost of my heating bills which can be found by clicking here, I thought I would expand on the clothing I am wearing in my attempt to keep warm, at the lowest cost.

Basically I am wearing the most number of layers I can.  This is on the principal that a gap of air exists between each layer of clothing which acts as an insulator and allows you to retain your body heat, the same as installing double glazing in your home.  I like to wear four layers (the equivalent of quadruple glazing!) on the upper half of my body being a thermal vest, a shirt, and, two jumpers.  On my lower body I wear thermal long johns plus a pair of trousers, and two pair of socks, one again being thermal.  You may feel that this seems excessive, but I can tell you that it does not restrict my movement in being able to go about my daily business and get things done.

One good tip is to whenever possible (even indoors) wear a hat.  This by itself seems to increase your body temperature enormously.  The theory behind it is that the brain being the most important part of the body needs heat to enable it to function.  Unfortunately the skull also acts like a giant heat sink, and, so dissipates it into the atmosphere.  Your hair I suppose insulates your head a little!  When the brain requires heat your body initially obtains this from the extremities (hands and feet), as these are considered by the body to be the least valuable.  This results in the cold feeling you tend to experience in your hands and feet.  By wearing a hat it enables your head to retain the heat, and, in turn makes the rest of your body feel warmer.

Just as an aside, I did read that by having a hot drink to warm you up, actually results in your body losing heat.  The theory here is that when you drink hot liquid, your body has to consume energy in cooling the liquid down to body temperature.  This results in the loss of body heat that could have been used to keep you warm.  Although I accept the theory I do not subscribe to this solution, as I enjoy multiple hot drinks in a morning, as I believe it makes me feel better.  Maybe one day I should try and consume water for the day to see what effect it has on my body and heat levels.

Comments are welcome as always.