What heating aids do people use?

[Emma2]

You can use disposable handwarmers (they look a bit like teabags) or reusable ones if you are out and about. The microwave ones can be handy if you need something quickly when you go indoors after being outside. The RSA sell a good range of heating aids for a good price. I always wear the silver gloves and as they are thin you can wear other gloves over the top. I have a heater next to me at work to keep me warm (although I do sometimes bake my colleagues alive!!) and if I am at home I make sure I keep warm by the fire or by keeping the heating turned up. Other basic things like wearing lots of layers also helps.

[Hidden]

Thinks Emma has come up with all the ones that I can think of and know of so this entry isn't much help really......!

[Hanosity]

I use cherry stone heat bags in the house (like wheat ones heated in the microwave but I find them a much nicer heat).

Also when it is very cold I buy the adhisive big disposable heat pads (for back pain etc) that last 12hours and stick them between my layers on my stomach Keeps my whole body warm when it is baltic outside!

[Rach18]

I use the disposable hand warmers when I'm out and about, I love walking and being outdoors so keeping warm is a constant battle. Like Emma I have a heater by my desk at work, although later this year I will be moving to a new air-conditioned building where all portable plug-in heating devises will be banned. I'm dreading it and not sure how I will cope, I'm beginning to think an aluminium survival blanket is going to be the only answer!

[Coldfeet]

Hot rox are good handwarmers as they are rechargeable and store the charge until you need to release it, plus the heat lasts a lot longer than those rather unstable gel pacs with a disc in them type of handwarmer. Microwaving a couple of jacket potatoes before you go out and then wrapping each one up in foil and then kitchen towel and putting one in each pocket is also great- they stay hot for ages and you can eat them later too.

My best investment has been a battery operated heated jacket (Exo) which although expensive has probably paid for itself several times over in terms of reduced heating bills. These are powered by rechargeable batteries , so you need to buy at least 2 packs so you can carry on using it while you recharge. They also do a heated belt which works on the same principle.

Exo also do footwarmers to put in your boots but the wires are annoying. I find if my body is warm then my feet are less likely to be, so I use the jacket or belt more than the footwarmers. When I am working on the computer I use a USB heated foot muff!! (cant remember where I got it from)

[uknlv]

You can make your own hand warmers for the microwave out of old socks and rice, just put the rice in the socks and tie off, just heat for about 1 min though as it is easy to burn the rice. I have a rechargeable hot rock that works great and holds heat a long time, I have seen some online that use a fuel sorce but afraid of those hehe

[chillymilly in reply to uknlv]

I bought a zippo petrol driven handwarmer just before christmas, but I have been too scared to use it. If I do ever fire it up i'll be sure to let you know how I get on (if I survive, that is)!

[Heleno]

I have one of the lighter fuel hand warmers, they are great & stay warm for hours, as others have said the plastic, click ones are good but the heat doesn't last too long. I ski at least once a year so have heated boots that heat up via a rechargeable battery that clicks on the back of the boot (but this year I really did suffer even with using these). When skiing I also use the teabag type hand warmers & have one in each of my gloves, and then layer up over the rest of my body. I did get bought a pair of battery operated gloves but I found these too clumsy. Also mittens keep your hands & fingers warmer than gloves. Have used the silver gloves & socks but can't say I notice much benefit from these. Was thinking about trying ginko bilaboa & would be interested to hear if anyone else has used it and if they got any benefit.

[Hidden in reply to Heleno]

Hi Heleno,

I've used Ginkgo for years. I find it really helps (although I only have a mild case of Raynauds). I found though that it didn't work straight away, it took about 3 weeks of taking the high-strength ones before I saw any change. Ginger extract helps aswell...

[Heleno in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tomsk, I think I'll give it a go then & see if it makes any difference!

[Coldfeet]

the zippo handwarmer is great, lasts for ages and stays really hot, but is only really for outdoor use as it gives off fumes (although I dont think they say that on the accompanying blurb, thats just my opinion and experience) . Also, once you have lit it, that's it - you can't control it at all. Its a bit fiddly to set up so you need to do it before you get cold. Perfect for winter walks and outdoor sporting events when you know you'll be out for a long time. Hot Rox are easier to use and have no fumes.