: During the winter season, everyone looks for ways to stay warm, whether waiting for a taxi or bus, or going for a run or walk. Fortunately, the body's process of breaking down food acts as an internal heater.
According to the family magazine service of Saed News, winter, with all its beauty, can be less enjoyable when your hands and feet are always cold. In this article, we'll share tips to help you keep your hands and feet warm.
When Your Hands and Feet Get Cold
If you always find yourself rubbing your hands together or noticing that your toes are colder than the rest of your body, don't worry. The reason our hands and feet get cold in winter is that our bodies prioritize keeping vital organs like the heart and lungs warm, which reduces blood flow to other extremities like hands and feet. These areas lose more heat because they are more exposed to cold air and have more temperature-regulating receptors compared to other parts of the body.
Eat Heart-Healthy Foods
One way to warm these extremities is to improve blood circulation by eating heart-healthy foods. Include healthy foods like fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. These foods work wonders for blood circulation. Heart-healthy and circulation-boosting foods include salmon, berries, walnuts, low-fat yogurt, bananas, dark chocolate, whole grains, and olive oil.
Sleep with Socks On
Wear socks to bed as they can act like a blanket for your toes, keeping them warm. Even the healthiest person may need extra help during cold winter nights, and socks can provide that warmth. Woolen socks are recommended for their excellent insulation.
Use the Right Gloves
Instead of regular gloves that you have to remove for various tasks, use specialized gloves that keep you warm without hindering functionality. Woolen gloves can keep your hands warm without adding much bulk. For touchscreen use without removing gloves, opt for specially designed gloves that allow you to use your phone.
Use Heating Devices
Indoors, you can warm your hands by staying close to heaters, radiators, and other heating devices. Outdoors, heating devices can also be useful. While it may seem unconventional, if you really struggle with the cold, consider using heated gloves or small portable rechargeable heaters to stay warm.
Add Spices to Your Food
Enhance the taste of your winter dishes and keep yourself warm by adding spices. Certain spices are known for their warming properties. Black pepper, cinnamon, red pepper powder, cardamom, ginger, mustard root, and garlic are some of the best warming spices.
Drink Warm Beverages
There's no harm in drinking warm liquids like tea throughout the day, as they can have long-lasting warming effects. Warm beverages like various teas boost metabolism and provide antioxidants. Some experts also recommend broth or bone broth for its warming properties and high magnesium and collagen content, which are beneficial for muscles and skin. Holding a warm cup can also heat your fingers, especially when you're outside.
Exercise
Have you ever entered a gym shivering from the cold and left sweating? Exercise, whether simple movements or a full workout, improves blood circulation, thereby increasing body warmth. Swinging your arms in a circular motion can help direct blood flow to your fingertips, warming them up.
When It's More Serious
If these tips don't warm you up, you might be suffering from Raynaud's disease, which affects about 20% of women. In Raynaud's disease, fingers first turn white and may then turn blue. Hands can become numb, and the condition can cause sores and ulcers on the fingers. In some cases, medications that dilate blood vessels are prescribed for treatment. Being unusually sensitive to cold can also indicate more serious health issues such as lupus, scleroderma, or peripheral artery disease. If you notice symptoms like brittle hair, fatigue, and swelling of the limbs accompanying cold hands and feet, consult a doctor promptly.
