Coping strategies

[crazyscot]

... or perhaps that should be "staying warm" strategies. Living in what passes for a wooden fridge at this time of year means you quickly learn a few tricks. I've spent most of this weekend wearing four or five layers in the house, and will often put on another, as well as my gloves, to go downstairs or to the loo.

Ah yes, the loo. The seat is... cold. 'Nuff said there. The air in here is so very dry that hand cream is essential. The moisture condenses all the way up the windows overnight and onto the curtains; judging by the mould on some of them, that's where it stays.

The window on our shower room doesn't close properly. There is a tradesman coming to look at it, but in the meantime we've stuffed an old towel into the gap as best we can. However it still means that whenever I go into there - even if only to wash my hands - I experience a blast which I can only describe as fresh and bracing, and is somewhat reminiscent of the washing facilities at outdoor activity centres in Scotland in the early spring.

This afternoon, being a snow day, I went to have a bath before the sun set and it got much colder. The bathroom has one of those old single-bar electric heaters - we have nick-named it the Eyebrow of Sauron - which helped take the edge off the chill. Nevertheless, there are still several distinct phases of existence with less-than-ideal transitions from one to the next. Going from "wearing five layers" to "in the bath, ahhh" necessarily involves an intermediate state of "egads, it's cold in here" even if one disrobes as one gets into the bath.

Whilst basking in the bath, I tried to not instinctively shiver every time the wind whistled through the trees. The bath water was steaming, and my breath condensing. I did shiver when reaching for the shampoo, which I had stupidly failed to place within arm's reach. Lesson learned!

For a few minutes I enjoyed sheer, unadulterated luxury. My back and shoulders were grateful for the break. However there was the next state transition to manage: going from "in the bath" to "wearing enough layers to keep the cold out", calling at "wet", "feck it's cold", "why didn't I leave the towels within reach", "that bathmat gets cold darn quickly when it gets wet" and all stations to Soggy. Something managed, though I can hardly describe it as mischief.

I slept in my woolly hat last night. Last night was the only night I didn't wake up cold. Coincidence? I think not. (I woke up clammy instead; more research is needed.)

Comments

[watervole]

A suggestion. It may sound odd/counter-intuitive, but it does actually work.

Give up bathing for now. Every evening/morning wipe under your armpits (and any other areas you think might smell) with a dry item of clothing that is waiting to go in the laundry.

It can work surprisingly well - I do it most of the time now and the water company have just given us a £90 refund...

The body produces less oils when you aren't removing them all the time. The underarm wipe (I tend to use t-shirts or sometimes a towel) gets rid of anything that might smell. The effect is so marked that I actually get more days wear out of clothing as they don't get smelly so quickly.

[tigerfort]

They may have been almost universally mocked for it, but there was a good reason why the Japanese invented heated toilet seats.

[tigerfort]

His other half chiming in (because I don't have a dreamwidth account):

Surviving winter exercises (and I'm not sure there's much difference between sleeping in an unheated timber house and a barn) and out-of-season camping is something barracks brats know plenty about. You probably know a lot of this already, but just in case there's anything new to you:

First thing is hats at all times. Actually, balaclavas (or shawls or headscarves if you don't need to worry about loose fabric) are better than caps, as they keep the back of your head and your neck warm too. You can keep your hat on in the bath if you don't need to wash your hair.

Secondly, adding woolly tights under your trousers is a good idea if you're not already doing it. Any winter exercise would be heralded by the NAAFI selling out of XL tights. In fact, you can layer up tights, long-johns, leggings, yoga-pants, and trousers if you need to.

Similarly, wear multiple pairs of socks, and buy slippers or house-shoes a couple of sizes too big to accommodate them. Layering up on the extremities as well as the torso helps enormously.

You're probably already wearing gloves; the most effective combination is fine wool or silk underneath heavy mittens (mittens are warmer than gloves). You can sleep in them. If the undergloves are fine enough, you can type, read, and do most clean activities in them.

If possible, wear wool, silk or down-fibres next to the skin. They can absorb a lot of perspiration without becoming wet to the touch (unlike cotton or linen), so you won't feel clammy. Avoid synthetics, as they won't absorb water.

Invest in Vaseline. You've already noticed your hands chapping - keep your lips constantly coated. If it gets really bad, smear vaseline on your eyelids, nostrils, and ears. Keeping your skin in good condition is much, much easier than trying to heal chapping in a hard frost.

tips mostly from the 16th century

[naath]

Wool is warm, and crucially it is warm when wet, and makes for excellent cold-weather gear. Linen is more sweat-wicking than cotton and is nicer next to the skin (damp, sweaty, things next to the skin can be nasty even under layers of warmth), cheap synthetic fabrics are VILE in this regard but the expensive sort sold to athletes and hikers are much better. Fur is good for outer garments, as are down jackets (although you are probably more likely to be able to buy synthetic fleece). Watch that cuffs (of sleeves and trousers) are tight (or overlapped by socks or gloves) so that the cold can't get in at the edges.

Any part of the skin left exposed will rapidly get cold, so socks, gloves, hats, scarves etc. are just as essential as jumpers. A face covering and goggles may be required outside but obviously can create problems when, eg, trying to eat.

You need (for health) to wash a good deal less than 21st century standards would suggest, washing small parts whilst keeping the rest covered may help. Another alternative would be to join a gym and wash in their showers (gym changing rooms are, IME, generally heated).

[twigletzone]

Argh *hug* don't worry me like this :/

[crazyscot]

The cold snap was short-lived. The snow is pretty much all gone; the last little pile in the driveway melted this morning. Daytime temps this week have been around 16C thanks to the nor'wester, and we've not been feeling so cold. Just bad luck that we moved in just before the (probable) coldest weekend of the winter!