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It’s been a cold old winter already, and although spring is now closer in sight, there is still some more chilly weather on the way for the next month or so.
Therefore, we thought you might be in need of some super student hacks to keep warm but also stay in your budget. Luckily there are plenty of things that you can do to stay snug without spending a fortune on heating bills, expensive winter coats and long-haul holidays!
Here are 8 ways to keep warm on a student budget…
1) Goodbye draughts
One of the best ways to keep your student home warm without turning up the heating is to stop the heat from escaping out! It sounds obvious, but keep doors and windows closed and use draught excluders to block gaps at the bottom of doors. You can pick up a cheap draught excluder for under £5 from the shops but you can also easily make your own by stuffing an old pair of tights with odd socks and cotton wool until it’s compact!
2) Curtains open, curtains closed
Whether you have curtains or blinds, you can use them to your advantage in the winter months. Even on a cold chilly day, if the sun is shining, open your curtains to let in as much light and natural warmth as possible. Then, when daylight falls in the evening, close the curtains to keep the heat trapped inside. The thicker your curtains are, the better they will be at stopping the heat from escaping.
4) Layer up
You will probably have been told this countless times by parents, teachers, and instructors over the years, but wearing multiple thin layers of clothing is way more effective at keeping your body warm than wearing just one thick layer. Without getting too technical, the layers trap air between them which helps to maintain your body heat. So, layer up with vests, tees, thin sweaters and gilets (check out this Heated Gilet for just £8.99!) to keep the heat nice and close to your body. You can even wear hats, scarves, jumpers, and jackets indoors if you feel chilly in your student home on extremely cold days. When you’re chilling on the sofa or in bed, use blankets to wrap around yourself or to put over your lap and legs. When you go to bed, layer your bedding as well - just one thin blanket over your duvet can help to raise your temperature.
5) Keep your feet toasty
Keeping your feet warm is a key factor in regulating your body temperature so try to keep your feet and toes well insulated both inside and outside the house, especially if your student home is prone to cold floors. You can pick up thick socks pretty cheaply from most discount stores so stock up on a few pairs and remember to wash them regularly to keep them smelling fresh! You can also sleep in your socks if it helps. In addition to socks, wearing slippers around the house is ideal for comfort and warmth. You can pick up snuggly slippers like these from as little as £2.50 so keeping your tootsies warm doesn’t have to eat too much into your budget.
6) Keep well-fuelled
When the temperature drops both inside and out, a simple way to warm yourself up is to eat a hot meal or sip on a hot drink. Herbal teas, warm cocoa and chunky soups are popular in winter because they help you to warm up slowly as well as providing energy for your insides. Nutritious stews, filled jacket potato and homemade curries are also great choices for a cosy winter meal, and remember that you can batch-make bigger portions to freeze and re-heat to make things even more cost-efficient. Investing in a good thermal mug or flask will help to keep the contents warmer for longer so you can take your hot drink out on your walk to keep you warm and fuelled on route
7) Find something (or someone!) to snuggle up to
One of the most budget-friendly heating solutions in winter is to snuggle up to someone else and share body heat, so whether it’s a friend or a partner, it’s time to get cosier than ever while you snuggle in to watch a movie! If no one is available to snuggle, then fill a hot water bottle with warm water and tuck it in next to you. You can get them in a whole range of shapes, sizes and colours, and can pick them up at places like Dunelm or Poundland for very cheap. How about this cute Cuddle Cushion for just £12 - it will really help to keep your back and sides warm when you’re sitting down to study.
8) Jump around
Another free way to get warm is to keep active and move around regularly. Keeping your body moving means that your blood will circulate better, which in turn will keep you warmer. Try ten star jumps or running on the spot for 60 seconds to start you off and notice how much warmer you feel already!