How to Keep Your Hands Warm During Frigid Winter Weather

multicolor mittens for adults

Brr, it's been cold! I've been living in my mittens for the past week. Here in New York the temperature hasn't risen above 20 degrees, and it's often closer to 0 or below.

As someone who suffers from Raynaud's phenomena, my hands are particularly icy. Having poor circulation is not a good thing in the winter. So, from years of experience, here are some of my tips for keeping your hands warm when it's super cold.

Wear Mittens or Gloves

This is kind of a no-brainer, but keep your hands covered to maintain warmth! I prefer mittens in most cases, because my fingers seem to stay warmer when they're together.

One craft fair customer asked me if Marion's Mittens are warm enough for the winter chill. They're fine for average days, but for someone like me, they're not quite enough on frigid days with major wind chills. For those days I either layer two pairs of Marion's Mittens or wear insulated and waterproof LL Bean mittens. 

Use Hand Warmers

The Grabber warmers are awesome for keeping you warm over an extended period outdoors. I stick them in my mittens or in my pockets.

extra long scarf

Layer

Keeping your torso warm holds heat in that areas so it isn't pulled from your extremities. Wear a few layers of tops and consider a scarf, too! 

Try Fish Oil

While I take a prescription medication to keep my Raynaud's in check, it's often not enough, especially in the winter. A daily fish oil supplement can make a difference in keeping my hands warm.

Cozy up With a Heated Blanket or Heating Pad

My heated blanket and heating pad are my best friends! The blanket is great when I'm on the couch or at my desk. I wrap it around like a shawl and am nice and warm while I work. I use the heating pad to warm up the bed before I get in at night.

The heating pad is also great for warming up my clothes in the morning. Who wants to go from a warm bed to icy clothes? I lay the clothes on the heating pad while I brush my teeth and then they're warm and toasty when I put them on.

Keep Moving

I tend to get cold when I sit for extended periods of time. A walk, some yoga, or even housework can all help you to warm up. 

It can be tempting to take a hot shower to warm up your hands. Resist the temptation of they're extra chilly - the hot water can be painful! Instead, make sure your hands (and feet) are reasonably warm before hitting the shower.

Hopefully some of these tips will help you stay warm this winter. Bundle up and stay cozy!

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