Advice
Keeping Warm
Devon Link Magazine Winter 2002
Advice from Exeter's Independent Living Centre (ILC)
Wearing a hat isn't just a fashion statement, it also saves over 20% of your body heat from escaping through your head. As the cold weather arrives here's a few reminders of other ways to keep warm this winter.
Clothes will maintain your body heat but not create it, so you must get warm before you get dressed using passive and active movement to get that warm blood flowing to your extremities. A warm room helps when getting dressed, as does warm clothes kept in an airing cupboard or near a radiator.
Mountaineers and Arctic adventurers have taught us the layering principle; wearing several thin layers that trap warm air between them gives more insulation and freedom of movement than one thick heavy garment.
Your first layer should cover as much skin as possible, long sleeved T-shirts, leggings, long johns, vests socks and tights in soft stretchy jersey fabric. Outward bound specialists like Taunton Leisure will stock underwear in high tech fabrics designed to maintain maximum warmth without the moisture, or try Damart, Woods or Patra for the silk, wool or cotton variety.
Next get a warm layer on, wool or fleece fabric is ideal as it is lightweight, soft and traps air in between its fibres to maintain that body heat. Again you need to cover as much as possible with trousers and top, or long length skirts and dresses.
Footwear should follow the same principle as clothes, so wear thin socks or tights, followed by a thicker pair of piled or textured socks to trap air and insulate, with a well fitting, comfortable, flexible shoe. Contact the Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association to find suppliers of fleece lined boots and slippers, battery heated socks and gloves and heat pads for warming up shoes before putting them on.
If you are wearing insulating daywear, going out to brave the elements shouldn't be such an ordeal, as you may be able to keep warm with a lightweight windproof waterproof instead of a heavy winter coat. Ponchos are back in fashion, and these are great for putting on in a hurry, especially if you have restricted shoulder movement or are sitting in a wheelchair. You should also check out Able2wear and local company Silvalea.
Remember to fill all those gaps to prevent your body heat from escaping, tuck your shirt in, and Patra's silk jersey collars, scarves and gloves will fill any other draughty gaps that are bothering you.
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Contact:
- The Independent Living Centre Clothing Advice Service
Tel. 01392 687276
Call us for free advice and information, on equipment, clothing and dressing.
