As the clocks go back, marking the arrival of darker, colder months, now is when many of us will flip the switch on our central heating – if we haven’t succumbed already. But with energy bills set to soar this winter, finding other ways to warm up makes sense. The good news? There are plenty of healthy steps you can take to stay toasty, without having to blast heat from your radiators. From circulationboosting foods to blood-pumping exercise, here’s what will help you to fight the chill.
1 RAISE YOUR HEART RATE
Working out is a fail-safe way to get warm. ‘Cardio increases your heart rate by 50 to 80% which gets blood pumping around the body and raises your core body temperature,’ says Yvette MacDonald, a personal trainer at Fitness First. Regular sessions will also help keep you well in winter, by giving the immune system a boost.
GET MOVING
If you’re new to cardio, start small. Try a fast walk, several times a week. You could then progress to a jog, eventually aiming for a 5K run as your fitness improves. Swimming, skipping or an aerobics class will also get your blood pumping.
2 GENTLY STRETCH
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