What is the secret to choosing clothes to adapt to weather fluctuations?

Arab Weather - With the arrival of winter, many people begin to wonder how to deal with the cold weather and choose the appropriate clothes. You may hesitate in front of the wardrobe, choosing between wearing a heavy coat that gives you a feeling of warmth, and choosing light clothes to avoid sweating. If you are one of those who face this challenge, here are a set of tips provided by heating experts.

Steps to stay warm in winter without sweating

• Do not avoid direct cold.

A report from the University of North Carolina suggests that it’s important to get used to the cold rather than avoid it entirely. Emil Denhartug, a professor of clothing biophysics at the Wilson School of Textiles, explains that the body can acclimate to a new temperature after a period of regular exposure. If we suddenly encounter a new temperature, the body experiences a thermal shock because the body has adapted to previous conditions.

But the good news is that the body is able to adapt easily, so that exposure to heat or cold becomes more comfortable after a few hours of daily exposure over the course of ten days.

• Avoid wearing heavy coats directly.

The British Heart Foundation offers important advice for those looking to stay warm in winter, which is to focus on creating layers of warm air around the body rather than wearing a heavy coat alone. Multiple layers create a warm and cosy barrier around the body, while a heavy coat over a single shirt won’t distribute the warmth evenly. The warm air will concentrate in the trunk area (chest and back), which means your joints may feel cold.

In addition, a heavy coat can cause your body to overheat when you move, which can lead to you opening your buttons to dry your sweat, which can lead to your body losing heat due to sweat evaporation and making you feel colder. Therefore, it is recommended to wear several light layers to achieve an even distribution of warmth.

• The secret is in the layers

The University of North Carolina revealed the importance of layering in maintaining body heat during the winter. It is recommended to wear multiple layers that suit the body’s nature and achieve warmth:

1. Base layer: This layer should be close to the skin and absorb sweat. Wool is a great choice for this layer because it absorbs moisture and allows warm air to pass through its fibers. If you are allergic to wool, you can use sweat-wicking sportswear instead.
2. Mid Layer: This layer traps heat. It is best made of wool or a soft, tight fabric that forms a warm barrier around the body. This layer should be evenly distributed over the upper body by an inch, to ensure proper warmth distribution.
3. Outer layer: This layer depends on the weather conditions, as it protects against heat loss and prevents the effects of wind and rain. A waterproof and windproof coat can be used on cold and rainy days, or a puffer or wool coat in stable weather.

• Wear gloves to keep your extremities warm.

Blood flows throughout your body, carrying oxygen and nutrients, as well as heat produced by your muscles. When your extremities are exposed to cold, your body redistributes heat to vital organs in your torso, making your extremities, such as your hands and feet, feel cold. If your extremities aren’t protected, you may develop cracked skin, which increases your risk of infection.

A report by Live Science warns that microcracks in the skin of the fingers can turn into deeper cracks over time, causing pain and making the skin vulnerable to infection. Therefore, it is necessary to wear warm gloves to protect the hands and fingers from cold and cracking.

• Avoid cotton clothes in winter.

Although cotton is ideal for summer clothing because of its ability to absorb sweat and keep the body hydrated, it is one of the worst choices in winter. If cotton is wet against the skin, the body will feel very cold, and you may need to dry it by exposing your body to cold air, which increases the cold and traps moisture on the skin.

The Washington Post recommends winter-appropriate fabrics, such as wool, polyester, polypropylene, and silk. For outer layers like hats and coats, nylon is preferred, as it insulates the body from moisture and protects against heat loss.

• Eat snacks regularly

Some people think that eating large amounts of food will help keep you warm, but nutritionist Nancy Clark recommends eating small meals throughout the day. Digesting light food increases your body temperature by about 10 percent about 30 to 60 minutes after eating. For this reason, soldiers eat a light snack before bed to help them stay warmer throughout the night.

Light meals can help reduce the need to urinate at night, as the cold causes blood vessels to constrict, which increases the frequency of urination at night, known as “cold diuresis.” Eating a light meal before bed can help reduce this problem, while eating a heavy meal can increase blood flow to the skin to dissipate excess heat, causing you to sweat and feel cold later.

See also:

Why do we feel colder inside homes during winter than outside?

When is the best time to lay carpets? And tricks to benefit from them in the winter

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