Knit a jumper
Use natural materials to knit yourself a jumper – they are better for the planet and keep you warmer than artificial yarns. The beauty and benefits start almost as soon as you cast on, since the growing garment on your knees keeps you warm long before it’s ready to wear. Win-win! Carol Brook, West Yorkshire
Don’t let the house get damp
A hot drink goes a long way towards keeping you warm during winter, and wearing a wool hat indoors makes an amazing difference, too. It’s also important not to allow the house to get damp, as that always feels much colder, so we run a dehumidifier every now and again to keep everything dry. It has not been too cold a winter this year, so there have been lots of days when we haven’t had the heating on at all. Gill Lee, admin worker, Leicester
Spice up your porridge
Make yourself a bowl of porridge in the morning, topped with maple syrup and just the slightest splash of Islay whisky. It gives your breakfast a beautiful peaty, sugary smell and a bit of extra warmth on the way down. I learned about this delight while staying at a B&B on Islay some years ago. It takes the porridge, and the start of the day, to a new level. Richard Knight, leadership coach and consultant, East Lothian
Do the dishes
I can sometimes feel a little chilled but, rather than turn the heating up, I find that doing the dishes warms me right up. Plunging my hands into warm bubbles always does the trick, and it saves on the energy used to run a dishwasher, too. Add a little relaxing music and it can be a useful mindfulness exercise. Also, the dishes get done. Anonymous, Scotland
Engage with the winter landscape
In the colder months in Norway, when there is also a lot of rain, snow, and ice, I walk a lot: to work, for shopping or other errands, and in the nearby woods. It takes a bit of motivation to bundle up and go outside, but you get warm in no time. Your cheeks glow and your eyes clear in the cold air, and you begin to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. To me, engaging with the winter landscape using all my senses makes winter much more fun. On snowy days, the woods are silent, enveloping and quite cosy, actually. I also love coming home, kindling a fire in the stove and snuggling in an armchair with a book. Indra Simhan, child psychiatrist, Norway
Wear two pairs of socks
I recommend double-socking. One (inner) pair of ordinary socks, preferably made from natural fibre, then an outer, woolly pair. My current favourite is alpaca as this means I can buy British from yarn to sock, and they can be darned, too. Keep the inner pair on as you get into bed … I find I’m usually warm enough to take them off before I’ve finished my bedtime hot drink. Anonymous, Worcestershire
Make parsnip soup
My mum’s parsnip soup recipe is super-easy and cheap to make. I love how thick it is. The trick to its warming (but not spicy) flavour is the garam masala. Simply mix one chopped onion with two teaspoons of garam masala and sauté in oil until soft. Add 1 litre of chicken or vegetable stock, 250ml of milk (almond milk if vegan) and five or six medium-sized parsnips. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until soft, then blend. Season to taste and serve. Simon, London
Layer up
The energy crisis and rocketing costs mean you can’t just jack up the heating – and anyway, too warm a room feels stuffy. Instead, wear layers. Start with a short-sleeved T-shirt, then add one with long sleeves, then a warm jumper, and top off with a gilet. A warm core helps keep hands and feet warmer than gloves or socks can, although knee-length socks are good for keeping cold draughts out. Soft, warm scarves are good at that, too. Nora Boswell, retired, Bradford
Keep a hot-water bottle close
I love a hot-water bottle – even before I started working from home, I was known to attend work meetings with one clutched close. They help with cramps and chronic pain, but they’re also great for feeling warm and cosy, and I find them so comforting. For Christmas, I was given a long hot-water bottle that can be tied around you – it’s an absolute gamechanger. Now, I potter around my flat with what feels like a nice warm hug around my waist. Daisy, Hackney
Close the curtains and bring out the blankets
There’s nothing better than closing the curtains, deploying the blankets, putting the fire on low, opening a bottle of wine and losing myself in a good movie while the cat curls up on my lap. Who needs summer when winter can be so soft, quiet and peaceful? Rob Carrick, local authority worker, London
