Though the human body tops out at a steamy 98.6 degrees, it certainly doesn't feel that way on a cold day.
The science behind staying warm is actually pretty simple: When your body converts calories into energy it produces heat. The more energy you create, the more heat you’ll produce. Keeping that heat close to your body helps you to retain it longer, while feeding your body properly is essential to fueling the fire (so to speak.)
Once the temperature drops, the most important thing is to keep your core warm — this helps vital organs work properly and protects brain function. A warm core will also work hard to pump blood to outer extremities, so doing things to improve circulation is key.
This winter, warm up with these seven tips and keep it hot all season long.
1
Eat spicy foods
We gravitate toward things like spicy soups, stews and chili in the winter months — the bump to metabolism helps speed up the body’s heating process. Spicy peppers like habaneros, jalapenos and cayenne all contain a sneaky (but delicious!) component that produces heat: capsaicin. This chemical compound is actually an irritant for mammals, which is why biting into these beauties creates that delightful burning sensation so many of us love. Other spices, like turmeric and ginger, can also help warm you up by increasing blood flow.
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2
Get smart about your clothes
We all know the classic wisdom: for serious warmth, you’ve gotta dress in layers. But which layers you choose can make a huge difference for your overall comfort. When it’s chilly, the clothes closest to your skin will do the most for you. UNIQLO’s line of HEATTECH shirts, pants and accessories transform the moisture that gets released by the body into heat. These soft, quick-dry garments employ innovative knitted fabrics that trap heat generated by the body so you can stay warm to the core. If you’re looking to go beyond the base layer, look to incorporate the HEATTECH jeans and socks into your everyday wardrobe.
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3
Stay hydrated
Is there no end to the wonders of H2O? Hydration helps you stay alert, flush toxins, lose weight and yes — even stay warm. It’s easy to forget about drinking water in the winter months since you’re no longer sweltering, but getting your recommended daily dose of water is still just as important. In fact, the air is actually drier during the winter, which means your body isn’t retaining as much moisture. When you feed yourself well via a combination of healthy foods and ample liquids, your body is able to run at optimal levels — and thus battle that chill all the better.
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4
Soak in a Himalayan salt bath
Taking a bath filled with Himalayan salt — the natural remedy du jour — is said to promote all sorts of positive benefits. In addition to helping your body absorb key minerals, those who swear by these tiny pink crystals also say that it helps keep skin hydrated and can improve circulation. Besides, who doesn’t feel better after a soak in a hot bath?
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5
Keep moving
It can be tempting to hibernate all winter but remaining stationary isn’t doing you any favors. Break a sweat a couple of days a week and resist the urge to curl up for hours at a time. While at work, hanging out around the house, or even waiting outside in the cold, make a note to keep your body moving. If you’re at the office, get up every hour to get the blood pumping or go for a brisk walk. Revving up your cardiovascular system helps increase blood flow to your muscles, raise your body temperature and thus — you guessed it — warms you up.
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6
Utilize ceiling fans
In the hot summer months, ceiling fans are a big part of circulating air around the room to help cool down a space. But why not use them in the winter too? Since heat rises, putting a ceiling fan on its lowest setting can help push that warm air back toward you and facilitate a better air mix throughout your space.
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7
Spring for a massage
If you were looking for another excuse to book a massage, then here it is. Regular massage helps increase blood flood and improves circulation — not to mention flushing lactic acid from the muscles. Poor circulation can lead to all sorts of bodily discomforts, the most common being cold extremities. A relaxed, meditative state of mind couldn’t hurt, either.
BY UNIQLO | Mashable
