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Original poster

Do you get used to being cold?

131 replies

Woeismethischristmas · 02/04/2022 13:45

Stopped using the boiler (oil and can’t afford to refill the tank) the cold just seems to settle in my bones and toes. Am wearing layers, scavenging for wood to light the wood stove a few hours a day. How do you get used to the cold. Im just mooching around between heat sources. Electric bathroom radiator and oil radiator in the hall. Wearing layers and moving around but Still freezing even with endless hot drinks.

Do you just eventually adjust to being cold? Super warm at work so I spend the other half of the week boiling.

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 02/04/2022 20:04

If your feet are cold and won't warm up, wash in a bowl of warm water dry and put on several pairs of fresh socks.

Cold hands: time to wash up!

Crumpetsandpancakes · 02/04/2022 20:12

I grew up in the 70s with just the one coal fire. At night it's important to have layers under you as well as over you in bed. It makes a big difference. And at least two hot water bottles each, or you can get really long thin ones now to wrap yourself around.
We had something hot with each meal when it was really cold, porridge for breakfast, soup or eggs for lunch and something stodgy for dinner.
My sisters and I used to argue about who was getting the dog to sleep with. He was better than any hot water bottle!
I'm sorry things are so difficult for you OP. It's not fun being cold.

BlackeyedSusan · 02/04/2022 20:15

There is a certain temperature where it is really difficult to keep warm and external heat is required. It's different for different people. I am a cold person but live in a warmish flat but with a broken boiler.

Sisteragatha · 02/04/2022 20:15

I remember my childhood being so cold. So so cold. My mum didn’t believe in heating, would have the back door open all the time, I remember the skin on my thighs being cold to touch even hours after being under many layers of blankets and having a dripping numb nose.

I am still shaken by the cold. One thing I found really helped and I realised this at about 12 - one warm shower that’s even just for a few minutes - if it warms the skin before you get in to bed, it helps get the warmth going immediately.

Eucalyptusbee · 02/04/2022 20:16

No . You don't. It's awful

Notdoingthis · 02/04/2022 20:20

Well yes.
That's what cold water therapy is based on.
I think the answer to the question is yes, though arguably you shouldn't have to.

bigyellowTpot · 02/04/2022 20:22

Another vote here for oddies, best thing I have ever bought. mine is not the oddie brand but another leading brand of high quality it is soo warm and would recommend everyone get one there's a lot on sale at the moment too! I too cannot stand the cold I suffer with a form of arthritis which flares up when I'm cold. I am dreading next winter. I do think they'll be an increase in deaths of the elderly next winter through fear of using any heating because of the bills.

familyissues12345 · 02/04/2022 20:26

As long as my heat are warm, I'm warm. So I have lots of nice thermal socks that I layer up if necessary

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 02/04/2022 20:30

You do get used to cold, but tolerance for it varies from person to person. I grew up in a draughty, unheated house, and I've never been able to tolerate ambient temperatures beyond the teens. I used to dread going to the in-laws as they'd have the central heating on in every room in the house and I used to feel like I was suffocating. I'm sat right now in 14 degrees in shorts and a T, having had every window in the house open all day. This is my ideal, yet I think most people would find it a bit on the chilly side.

MrOllivander · 02/04/2022 20:32

@BlackeyedSusan

If your feet are cold and won't warm up, wash in a bowl of warm water dry and put on several pairs of fresh socks.

Cold hands: time to wash up!

To add to that Put mustard powder in the water and drink a brew at the same time Guaranteed to be sweating in 10 mins Grin
scrivette · 02/04/2022 20:37

Always change socks at night and out on a warm fleecy pair that's not too tight. If you keep the same socks on they might be a bit damp and cold.

A hot water bottle on your feet makes a big difference.

You do get used to having a colder house, I can't bear to be in warm houses now.

WonderfulYou · 02/04/2022 20:37

Yes you get more used to it.
I used to really struggle having any heating on as I grew up in a really cold house and I was acclimatised to a colder environment.

Now I’m an adult I still rarely having the heating on for very long. I wear bed socks and dressing gown most of the time and if I’m sat watching tv I’ll put a throw over me.

If it’s a very cold evening I will go to bed extra early as there’s no better feeling than being warm and cozy in bed. I usually start with my dressing gown and fluffy socks on but during the night take these off.

Spudlet · 02/04/2022 20:38

You do up to a point. I lived in a house with single glazing, inadequate heating, and a front door that opened straight into the living room and showed daylight both around the door and between the door frame and the wall. It was so bloody cold.

If you can get a wool blanket - an old school felted wool one - they’re great for keeping the heat in the bed. Proper slippers, or even better, Ugg boots - real sheepskin ones. A scarf helps, as do fingerless gloves.

It’s horrible though and I’m so sorry. And so angry. Fucking bastard Tories, allowing this. They’ve thrown so many of us under the bus, including all of us living in the country. They all deserve to rot.

SmallestInTheClass · 02/04/2022 20:40

I was brought up in a house where 14 C was considered a normal indoor temperature. My house isn't that cold but I really fell the cold and am miserable if I can't get cosy. My top tips... Layers ... Thick 80 or 100 denier tights (work as well as fancy thermals) under trousers/leggings/jeans. I always wear one short sleeved or sleeveless vest, then an M&S heatgen long sleeved vest, a jumper and then either a hoody or chunky cardi. A scarf/shawl helps too or maybe a buff. Thick socks and absolute must have is boot style slippers, they're the single thing that makes the most difference for me. Then tucked up with a blanket and hot water bottle on the sofa.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 02/04/2022 20:48

No I don't think you do.

Even penguins have foil wrappers now.

orangetriangle · 02/04/2022 20:52

this thread is very sad in this day and age I put the heating on atm if thermostat goes below 19 cant bear it otherwise. I find slipper boots and a thermal long sleeve top that's long enough to tuck in under a jumper and thick woolly socks are a must

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 02/04/2022 21:02

If you can, I'm still waiting to.

As far as keeping warm goes: something substantial between your feet and the floor (so slippers with soles, not just thick socks); woolly tights under opaque tights (grey is a versatile colour, I find); slips under dresses to trap a bit more air; upper arms covered when layering; back of neck covered with a snood or similar; blankets and throws on the sofa; sheepskin and wool (sorry, sheep!) stuff in general; fingerless gloves and wrist warmers are great; a cotton shirt of reasonable weight (more Oxford than cheesecloth!) under a jumper is good; hot water bottles in covers lose heat quite slowly so a cover's worth the money; plenty of hot drinks (always nice to have an excuse for an Ovaltine or cocoa, especially if you can make it with milk); stodgy, carby foods keep you warm (my hands are noticeably warmer after meals, especially rice, for some reason) - soup mix is also brilliant for adding to anything you let simmer for a bit, even bolognese sauces and great for comforting bulk; having liners in your curtains (ours are double layered, generally for blackout but it does make a difference); small electric heaters for 'spot' heating, rather than turning the boiler on for the whole house; hanging around where you've cooked and benefitting from the residual heat; doing the washing up or bathing your DC and enjoying warm hands...

I grew up in a very cold, not insulated, not centrally heated house, and DH and I avoid the heating where possible so we have a fairly good bag of tricks!

OnaBegonia · 02/04/2022 21:06

Every heating thread has suggestions of heated throws, oodies, cashmere socks etc, if you're financially struggling I doubt you're able to buy these items 🙄

Spudlet · 02/04/2022 21:07

The other thing - door curtains. If you can’t afford to buy them premade, then a single fleece blanket is about the right size and is cheap - you can get curtain header tape cheaply online and stitch it on, and put up a cheap curtain rail. I did it in my freezing house and it cost very little, less than a pre made one would have made. And draught excluders, which you can make from old tights.

Again, I’m sorry.

SuperSleepyBaby · 02/04/2022 21:08

Ugg type boots
A hat
Mittens
A warm winter coat

Would you really be cold with all that?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/04/2022 21:19

I’m a 60’s child.

I just remember being freezing nearly all the time. We had central heating installed in 1976. The difference was amazing. I hate being cold, I really feel it.

think you just get used to it. My heating has been off for ages. The family moaned last night as dh and Dd2 actually put their puffer jackets on to watch TV in the living room as it seemed particularly cold last night

Couldn’t you have put it on for a couple of hours?

DinosApple · 02/04/2022 21:21

It's often below 10 degrees in our bedroom at night, but next winter I think it will be colder as we will only use the heating on high days and holidays.

At the moment we all have (cheap) oodies, slippers, teddy bear fleece blankets for over and under on each sofa. And layer up. We also have an electric blanket our bed and teddy bear fleece duvet covers on all beds (no 100% cotton and thread counts in this house!)

When my face gets cold I go to bed!

DH didn't have central heating growing up, and has worked outdoors for 40 years. He rarely feels the cold!

Copperas · 02/04/2022 21:21

Just made some emergency fingerless gloves by cutting the foot of an old sock, and the cutting a slit for the thumb hole

MissWired · 02/04/2022 21:28

It's 12° in here tonight.

I used to look forward to putting the heating on for half an hour in the morning and half an hour again at night so I could eat two meals a day next to the radiator. Now I can't even have that.

I work full time.

Svara · 02/04/2022 21:31

@OnaBegonia

Every heating thread has suggestions of heated throws, oodies, cashmere socks etc, if you're financially struggling I doubt you're able to buy these items 🙄
If you are struggling now, maybe not. If you know you will struggle with ongoing higher energy bills, then it is good to invest now so you can save on heating in winter. DS's hoodie blanket was £18, I got two second hand merino jumpers on ebay, one for £5, one for £10 (incl. of postage).