This has been an unusually mild year. We had a bright spring and a warm summer, and even autumn has cut into the last months of 2025 far more than we’re used to. So the cold snap set to hit Britain this week may leave more of us shivering in shock than ever before.
Temperatures in some parts of the country are set to dip to a frightful -7C overnight. No wonder that fire services have felt bound to remind us never to use hot water bottles and electric blankets at the same time, as “you could electrocute yourself”, according to Gloucestershire Fire Brigade.
It’s older people who are more likely to reach for this combination in chilly desperation. “As you age, your physiology doesn’t function as effectively to shuttle blood from your extremities to keep your core warm,” says Dr Matt Maley, a leading researcher in the effects of extreme temperatures and a lecturer at Loughborough University. This means we’re more at risk from plummeting temperatures as we age.
But you may well be making even more mistakes when it comes to staying comfortable this week. Here are the pitfalls you may not have thought of, and the quick fixes that will keep you warm.
Wearing a big down coat in the rain
Somewhere in the distant past, you likely invested in a big warm coat for weeks like this. “There are a lot of jackets that are great for keeping in the heat, especially down jackets, but if they become wet they’re almost useless, and in fact will sap the heat from your body,” Dr Maley explains.
Instead: Wear a thin raincoat and lots of layers
You are better off layering up beneath your jacket and putting on a light raincoat, as you will stay warmer if it rains and will be able to maintain your warmth throughout the day more effectively. A vest, T-shirt and jumper will do well “but make sure that they are not too loose-fitting,” Dr Maley advises. “If it keeps the air near your body, you’ll feel warmer for longer.” Also make sure to check the fabric care label inside your jacket to see if it’s waterproof as opposed to “water resistant” which won’t protect against heavy rain.
Having a hot bath
It’s a classic way to warm up before bed or after a long day. But a bath that’s too hot can cause your core temperature to drop too far after you leave the bath, and may be dangerous for older adults, who cannot perceive temperature changes as accurately.
Instead: Have a warm bath an hour before you sleep
“You should aim for a bath that’s warm rather than hot – warm enough to do dishes in, you could say, but not hot to the touch,” Dr Maley rules. It’s better to assess the temperature with your elbow rather than your hand, and to go in about an hour before bed, as this will help your body reach the temperature it needs to maintain to help you fall asleep. Fifteen to twenty minutes in the bath will do, “but if you find it relaxing, you can stay in as long as you like”.
Not wearing slippers
You might potter about your house in a big dressing down and fluffy pyjamas, but if you neglect to keep your toes toasty, you’ll be much chillier than you need to be. “You can lose a lot of heat through your feet, particularly if you’re walking around in a cold house that doesn’t have carpets,” says Dr Maley.
Instead: Prioritise your feet
Heat your feet “and you’ll feel much more comfortable overall,” Dr Maley says. That could mean popping on some slippers or “keeping a hot water bottle over your feet for a little bit”. But be careful not to wear too many layers of socks, particularly as you’re out walking, as this could cause your feet to sweat “and trap in moisture, actually making it harder to retain heat”.
Eating a big, hearty dinner
There’s nothing like a big roast or a heaped bowl of creamy pasta to warm you from the inside out, but the effects may be short-lived. “Eating anything causes a small bump in body temperature, because your body produces heat as it digests food in a process known as thermogenesis,” says Dr Maley, “but the warming effect is brief, and it doesn’t really matter what you eat”.
Instead: Eat little and often throughout the day
Instead of one large meal, eat little and often throughout the day, to make the most of the increase in body temperature caused by eating. But make sure you aren’t in a calorie deficit, unless you’re trying to lose weight – in which case “just make sure that you aren’t planning to climb Everest any time soon”.
Warming up with a tipple
It’s well-observed that having a drink or two can make you look and feel warmer, if only briefly. “Ethanol makes you warmer by dilating your blood vessels, which is why a few drinks can give you rosy cheeks,” Dr Maley explains. But this process also leads you to lose heat more quickly from your body after the initial effect wears off, leaving you colder throughout the evening.
Instead: Have a hot mug of tea
Not only will holding a hot mug of tea make you feel warmer, but drinking one will also help you to stay hydrated, an important part of staying warm as your body relies on water to circulate your blood around your system. A hot toddy might temporarily make you feel warmer but due to the fact it contains alcohol, its effects will be less long-lived.
Curling up on the sofa under a blanket
It can be tempting to curl up under a blanket at this time of year, but staying still for too long can make it harder to keep warm and you may lose body heat over time (though a thick blanket can certainly help).
Instead: Move about as often as you can
“You generate greater body heat just by walking around slowly than you do by sitting still,” says Dr Maley. Doing household chores, cooking or just shuffling about occasionally can all help to give your body temperature a much-needed boost.
Piling on the jumpers
You might throw on layers at the slightest hint of the cold, but doing so too quickly can make you too warm, leading to sweating, which actually brings your body temperature down. Your skin needs to stay dry in order for you to stay warm.
Instead: Layer slowly and stick to what you need
Only wear “what you need to wear,” says Dr Maley. Having an extra layer close by will help you to regulate your body temperature more effectively and allow you to stay warm without causing sweating.