Travelling is fantastic no matter the climate. Whether you enjoy the sun shining or the snow covering your surroundings, each season offers something unique. However, no matter your level of experience during adventures, it”s wise to dress correctly and take care of your health because extreme conditions, no matter the temperature, can highly affect your body’s system.
You may know what to do in warmer climates ― put lots of sunscreen on your body and wear airy clothes, but when it comes to cold weather, it’s not as simple as putting more clothes on you. So, if you plan to travel somewhere this Christmas where the weather can be harsh, here are some ways to keep you warm and functional during the cold.
Build-up smart layers
Starting with the most obvious hack regarding clothes, creating intelligent layers is different from simply dressing up. Layering allows you to take off or put on clothes depending on the type of activity you perform, but the goal of it is to help your body’s temperature regulate and not be struck by vast amounts of warmth or chilly feelings. Therefore, here are the three steps of layering:
- Have a reliable base layer. Also called the underwear layer, it is the closest pair of clothes to your skin and is made to stay glued to your body. A wise decision is to have thermal bottoms and tops to keep you feeling comfortable.
- Continue with a middle layer. This base should retain your body’s heat to protect you from the cold. Usually, these clothes consist of a fleece or a thick wool layer. However, most have a loft attached to trap the warm air inside.
- Finish off with the outer layer. The final layer is made to protect you from the wind or the rain. Plastic raincoats, waterproof breathable materials and water-resistant pieces are a must to finish your look.
Drink warm beverages
Next, you should frequently drink something warm to keep you heated from the inside. However, try to avoid alcohol because it will draw the heat away from your vital organs since the blood vessels tend to expand. You have many other delicious options for warm drinks, such as:
- Herbal teas
- Crafted cocoa drinks
- Spiced matcha latte
If you plan your holiday by getting a London train, you could keep a thermostat with warm tea or coffee to keep you fresh and energised throughout the day. Some hot lemon water is also great to help you absorb vitamin C, and you can sweeten it with honey.
Eat foods that help produce heat in your body
Some meals can help your body cool down during hot weather, while others can help your body warm up. Besides warm and delicious foods, try to include the following in your meals:
- Roasted veggies because they are rich in fibre as they take longer to digest;
- Protein and fats work similarly, so nuts, avocados, salmon and hard-boiled eggs are a must;
- Foods containing iron reduce your chances of being anaemic, which makes your body cold, so red meat, beans and broccoli are needed in your day-to-day meal plan;
- Calorie-dense foods must be consumed moderately, but they can protect your body from the cold. These include chicken, whole milk, pasta and bread.
Luckily, no matter where you travel during the winter, many countries have delicious traditional meals that can provide the right amount of protein and calories. For instance, visiting Berlin by train will offer you the opportunity to try the most nutritious foods ever.
Some of the city’s traditional meals include:
- Currywurst, one of the most accessible foods, consists of pork sausage with curry powder. It’s often served with fries and bread rolls, so it’s a delicious and filling meal;
- Königsberger Klopse is a special dish made with meatballs that’s served with white sauce and capers. Other versions of this meal include beef and pork;
- Eisbein is basically pickled ham hock that is served smoked. In some regions beside Berlin, this meal is served with mashed potatoes;
- Kartoffelpuffer is a potato pancake, which also has onions, baking powder and flour in its composition;
Local German food is mostly known for its meat-based diet, but if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, fear not, because you will find delicious food based on your needs. Some of these dishes are Spätzle (egg noodles), Flammkuchen (vegan pizza) and Semmelknödel mit Pilzen (potato and bread dumplings).
Stay active
While travelling implies a lot of physical activity since you have to move from one place to another, there are also times when you can only wait, like when you’re waiting for public transport or staying in line to get a ticket for an event. In these many times when our bodies are not moving, it’s likely to freeze, and it’s not that easy to warm up again.
It would be best to be constantly active during colder times without straining your body. This doesn’t mean running or walking without stopping, but moving around more and avoiding sitting still for long periods.
Still, if you’re in the middle of nature and it seems like walking does not do the job anymore, you could try some low-impact exercises to warm you up, such as:
- Rope jumping. Not only this helps you burn calories, but it also warms your body pretty fast;
- Hiking uphill. Next time you see a hill, don’t ignore it. This exercise warms up your body by putting all your muscles to use;
- Cycling. This is a low-intensity exercise, so you only need to keep a steady pace when cycling to warm up;
You can also simply move your legs, rotate your shoulders or raise your hands when you feel cold or tired. Anything works as long as you don’t stay still and allow the cold to enter your body.
Wrapping up
Travelling during winter can be strenuous, but it indeed pays off the effort. To avoid getting cold, keep your body warm by dressing up with layers, drinking and eating nutritious beverages and foods, and don’t forget to move your body.