When living as a student, especially if you’ve moved out of official student accommodation like Cityheart Living and into a shared house, is that not everybody wants to have the heating on at the same time. If your bills aren’t included (although don’t worry, they are here!) then it might be costly, or people may just not feel the cold. Regardless, it’s good to try and cut down on using central heating where you can – this is better for the environment and your skin! We’ve got some great tips for staying warm without turning the heating on…
Have a hot drink
It really is the season for hot drinks – tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or even a hot cordial. This is not only a way to warm your hands and your insides, but also a great chance to catch up with flatmates or take a break from studying. Plus, it’s delicious! And hot drinks don’t have to be costly. Instead of heading to a coffee shop, be sure to always have some instant coffee, tea bags, sugar, milk and everything else you need at home. Invest in a flask, so you can take your hot drink with you if you’re heading to study.
Add some extra layers
It’s a cliche but it does help – instead of whacking the heating on, grab your dressing gown or pop a big hoody on. And when heading out to university or college, or the library, layer up! A vest underneath your dress, or a t-shirt beneath a big jumper. It’ll definitely help matters, and you’ll feel soooo cosy.
Eat some hearty meals
Surviving off sandwiches and Pot Noodles won’t help. Instead, look for some really hearty recipes for soups and stews as well as casseroles and baked dishes. These can be split between yourself and your housemates in order to save some cash (and cut down on waste) or frozen then reheated to ensure you have meals for all of the cold days coming up.
Exercise
It’s true that exercise helps to pump your blood, and in turn this can warm you up – if you’re feeling cold in your student accommodation, try some indoor exercise like jumping jacks, squats, dancing or weight-lifting. Even going out for a run (yes, in the cold!) can help warm up your blood, especially when you’re coming back into somewhere warmer.
Have a hot shower
A nice, hot, relaxing shower will not only help wash away the stresses of the day, it will also help warm you up. Pop on some tunes, have a good old clean, and let the steamy water keep you nice and toasty. Invest in some really fluffy towels (bamboo is a great option!) so you can stay snug when you get out.
Hopefully these tips will help you stay warm without putting the heating on, which is definitely worth a try if you’re concerned about money, the planet, or your skin/general health. Enjoy the crisp cooler days!
