To wish people would stop saying “just put a jumper on”?

[Notcontent]

There have been sooo many thread over the years with people saying how no one really needs heating - how e.g. 16 degrees is positively sweltering - and if you feel the cold you should just put a jumper on and a bit of cold never hurt anyone…

This is complete rubbish and I think this myth needs to be debunked. It’s not helpful. Of course many people are being forced to have their heating off but that does not mean this is good for their physical or mental health.

I was prompted to start this thread as I was listening to a radio 4 science programme that tackled this topic head on. In summary:

• when we get really cold (e.g. a room at 10 degrees) our body has to work really hard to keep our core warm and this places great strain on our body - increased heart rate, blood pressure, decreased congnitive ability, etc;

• surprisingly, for a lot of people 23 degrees is the right temperature if you are just sitting around - this does not surprise me as if I am working from home, if I have my thermostat set to 19.5 degrees, I still have to wear ugg slippers and a big jumper;

• getting chilled does make you likely to get sick - this is because we are constantly being exposed to viruses, which we do fight off (the cold virus in particular) but when we get chilled our body’s immune response is severely impaired.

[mynameisnotmichaelcaine]

I agree. I taught in front of a computer screen during lockdown 3. DH keeps the thermostat on 18 degrees. I had to wear thermals and three cotton and wool layers on top of that, plus two pairs of socks and have a blanket over me, and I still wasn't warm. Normally, at the weekend etc, I'm fine because I'm active and moving about. But if you've got to sit still for whatever reason, it's really cold.

[BlackeyedGruesome]

I just caught the end of this programme, hoping to catch a repeat. (Or was that the repeat)

I was surprised at some of the stuff I heard as I was brought up in a cold house and it was very much put a jumper or five on.

[RedRiverShore2]

Actually my thermometer says 21 at the moment and it feels just right, I have a cardigan and my Ugg slippers on so YANBU, It was 19 earlier the day and it was ok though

[Ratched]

23 degrees would see me throwing open windows and striping naked!
We haven't had the heating on yet. Ton8ghtbits 16.5 degrees in here.
I do happen to be wearing a jumper and a cat, but also pulled a throw (aka a blanky) over my legs.
I HATE false heat and much prefer to stay warm with clothing and a blanket/throw then snuggle down in a cosy bed than sit in a vest and sweat in the middle of November 😁

We're all,different - some people like and need the heat, some don't.

[Ifailed]

Can't help wondering how humans evolved over 1000s of years without central heating.

[Ratched]

• Tonight it's......!

[DoubleShotEspresso]

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine

I agree. I taught in front of a computer screen during lockdown 3. DH keeps the thermostat on 18 degrees. I had to wear thermals and three cotton and wool layers on top of that, plus two pairs of socks and have a blanket over me, and I still wasn't warm. Normally, at the weekend etc, I'm fine because I'm active and moving about. But if you've got to sit still for whatever reason, it's really cold.

I agree totally with this. Similar situation here in lockdown and my feet/legs were routinely numb . Horrid and so distracting!

[GabrielAgreste]

Plus if you are prone to breathing problems / chest infections, breathing cold, damp air will make you poorly however many jumpers you wear.

It’s true that some people can probably knock a degree or two off their thermostat by wearing more clothes in the house - these are probably not the same people who can’t afford the heating on at all.

[Pumperthepumper]

@Ifailed

Can't help wondering how humans evolved over 1000s of years without central heating.

Well, they died a lot younger.

[RedRiverShore2]

I paid a lot of money for a boiler about five years ago so I am going to use it

[garlictwist]

I am the worlds coldest person and am currently wearing three jumpers, long johns and a bobble hat in my house (apparently 15 degrees).

I have discovered however that if I constantly have a hot water bottle on the go I can feel quite toasty as I can warm my hands and feet. It makes a big difference.

[Lougle]

We haven't got the heating on yet. I have a snug rug (oodie) and it is so warm that I'm having to take it off within 30 minutes of wearing it.

[Suzi888]

YANBU regarding the medical evidence.

I grew up in a sweltering house, DM loved the heat. I can recall my dad sitting in shorts or going outside for a breather. It may be peri but I have gone from being a cold mortal to being boiling all the time. It has to be really cold to put the heating on and I can only stand a quick blast.

What I have found handy is a heated throw, cheap to run 5p /7p an hour. Even DM has one, still has her heating on too though!

[inthemiddlepiggyinthemiddle]

@Ratched

23 degrees would see me throwing open windows and striping naked!
We haven't had the heating on yet. Ton8ghtbits 16.5 degrees in here.
I do happen to be wearing a jumper and a cat, but also pulled a throw (aka a blanky) over my legs.
I HATE false heat and much prefer to stay warm with clothing and a blanket/throw then snuggle down in a cosy bed than sit in a vest and sweat in the middle of November 😁

We're all,different - some people like and need the heat, some don't.

This! (Without the cat)

Why are you assuming everyone is the same?

[fannyfartlet]

23 degrees would cook me. Mine is never above 18. When I work from home, I don't have the heating on during the day and wear a Snoodie. I'm perfectly warm enough. The last point about impaired immune response is bollocks so I'd be interested in where that information came from.

[Puffykins]

I lived through a renovation with no heating last winter. I had to wear a dryrobe, a sheepskin hat and Uggs for the days I was working at my desk, and I was still cold. My fingers used to get so cold I couldn't type. We had no radiators and several of the windows were broken. It was miserable (we also had no kitchen.) But we survived. Just.

[serenghetti2011]

I’m just home from work, Scotland , it’s pouring with rain and 10 degrees. It’s not overly cold in my house I’ve just changed into pjs and dressing gown and I’m nice and cosy no heating on. Blanket on my knee. but guess we all feel heat and cold differently. I’m used to colder weather I’d rather wrap up and be warm than have heating on, I’ll not freeze though.

[RedRiverShore2]

Is no one allowed to have the heating on now, it's like threads where people moan about others buying things and everyone has to be in poverty, the whole of this site is turning like that now

[BonesOfWhatYouBelieve]

Well it depends - if someone is heating the house to a temp that allows them to sit around in shorts and a vest top in February then "put on a jumper" is a reasonable suggestion to their concerns about energy bills.

That's different to someone who can't afford any heating at all being told "ohh it's fine! Just wear a jumper!"

[JKGalbraith]

my heat hasn’t been on yet and I’m not cold because I, er, put a jumper on (plus oodie if i still feel cold). YABU

[Anon778833]

Putting a jumper on doesn’t help me when the surrounding air still feels cold. YANBU

[bellac11]

@garlictwist

I am the worlds coldest person and am currently wearing three jumpers, long johns and a bobble hat in my house (apparently 15 degrees).

I have discovered however that if I constantly have a hot water bottle on the go I can feel quite toasty as I can warm my hands and feet. It makes a big difference.

Hot water bottle is the secret weapon. I have two pairs of socks on, a jumper and thick jogging bottoms with a throw over me but the hot water bottle is the thing that has made the difference. My hands were cold earlier, Ive only had the bottle on for 5 mins (iin the small of my back) and my hands are fine now

[Notcontent]

@Ifailed

Can't help wondering how humans evolved over 1000s of years without central heating.

Well - humans always had some form of heating ever since humans learned to make fire. They even used to take their livestock inside to help keep warm.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Given the energy prices, and the fact that people are having to cope without heating, or with the heating lower than they’d like, tips for staying warm aren’t the worst idea. But things like ‘just put on a jumper’ is pretty patronising, because I’m sure people will have thought of that on their own!