How cutting back on heating can impact your health, and what to do about it

Many people will be looking to cut back on heating this winter to combat rising energy costs. But some should take extra care, as cold weather can exacerbate certain health conditions.

We round up the conditions or age groups that can be impacted by colder homes, and what health charities and the NHS recommend for those affected.

Plus, we have expert tips on how to maximise warmth and heating efficiency at home, and how to find help if you need it.

How an unheated home can affect your health

But where the cold can exacerbate existing conditions, energy price rises represent a real concern. We've rounded up advice on what to know if you're affected and recommended ways to mitigate the effects of cooler temperatures and stay warm.

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues

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Feelings of anxiety and depression, along with other mental health conditions, can be made worse by long, dark days and the cold weather - especially for those struggling to stay warm in their own homes.

: what are they, and could you benefit from one?

Asthma, COPD and other respiratory illnesses

Woman taking an inhaler

Worryingly, recent research by Asthma UK revealed that some people have been cutting back on using inhalers to make them last longer too, making them at greater risk of attacks. 

‘Warm homes, regular medicine and a healthy diet are all important pillars to good lung condition management,' says the charity. It also recommends trying to breathe more through your nose outdoors, rather than through your mouth, to avoid the cold, dry air acting as a trigger. 

Joint pain, arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome

Person with socks and gloves on stands by a radiator

Cold weather can exacerbate the discomfort of existing aches and pains. This is because the cold generally makes us less active, which can lead to joint stiffness, and because our body tends to redirect blood to vital organs, leaving joints feeling tighter and less pliable.

For those worried about the cost of heating, Versus Arthritis recommends using a hot water bottle, electric blanket or a microwaveable heat bag to keep warm and ease discomfort caused by stiffness, as well as keeping moving as much as possible. 

'As well as helping you warm up, keeping moving can improve joint pain and stiffness and boost your mood,' Dr Benjamin Ellis, consultant rheumatologist and senior clinical policy advisor to Versus Arthritis said.

In terms of managing pain, Ellis says some people find massaging affected areas with a moisturising cream or oil can provide some relief. 

As well as irritating arthritis, the cold can also make Raynaud's syndrome - which affects blood circulation to extremities like hands and feet causing pain, stiffness and numbness - feel worse. 

Keeping your home warm can protect against pain and discomfort caused by Raynaud's syndrome. If you are trying to minimise heating costs, wearing warm clothes including wrist warmers and thermal socks /warm slippers for colder areas can help.

Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke

This can be harder for those with an existing heart condition and - in the worst cases - can make the risk of stroke and heart attack greater, the charity says.

Consider using an electric blanket or a hot water bottle to stay warm and wrap up in plenty of layers. The charity also advises against going outside when it's very cold, staying active as much as you can, eating nutritious warm foods (and drinks), getting enough rest, and drinking lots of water to avoid becoming dehydrated. 

Viruses such as flu, Covid and colds

It's well established that viruses such as cold, flu and coronavirus thrive in the colder months, something we're all probably particularly aware of at the moment.

Meanwhile, Age UK also recommends older people check with a GP about whether they might be eligible for other vaccines, including against shingles and pneumococcal infection.

If you do become unwell, then it's important to stay warm. Use a hot water bottle if you don’t have the heating on and wrap up in suitable clothing, such as slippers and blankets - although don't overdo it if you have a temperature. 

If you have the common cold then resting, drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthily will also help, according to the NHS, as can taking over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.

How to optimise your home heating system so you don’t waste energy

Draft excluder

While there is no getting around the fact that heating is more expensive this year, there are some steps you can take to make sure your home is being warmed as efficiently as possible.

  • Check if there are any obvious gaps where the cold air is creeping in. If there are, then investing in a fabric draught excluder to keep warm air trapped in the room you're in can make a difference. For gaps in your window fittings or outside doors you can buy relatively inexpensive draught-excluding tapes, strips and seals from most DIY shops, which can be used to plug any holes.
  • Make sure your radiators are not blocked by bulky furniture. 
  • Consider keeping curtains or blinds drawn at dusk to keep in the warmth.
  • It's an expense that you will need to pay upfront, but insulating your loft and any cavity walls, if not already insulated, can also save you money on heating costs in the long run, as will insulating your hot water cylinder and pipes to keep heat from escaping.

    It's also important to manage damp and condensation issues, as this can not only make certain health conditions worse, such as asthma, but can make your home more expensive to heat properly as the heating has to work overtime to tackle the humidity. 

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    How to stay warm without the heating on

    While ideally you'd have the heating at the temperature that makes you feel most cosy, that might not be possible for some or cost effective for others. Maximising non-heating methods too should help to cut costs and keep you comfortable:

    Layer up

    Research shows that lots of thin layers can be really effective at trapping in heat and keeping you warm. So consider layering up with vests, t-shirts, light jumpers, heavy jumpers and even a coat or a dressing gown. 

    If you're too hot, you can simply remove a layer. This is especially important when going outdoors - as the temperature can really drop in the winter, and it's best to have the option to remove layers rather than becoming uncomfortably cold. 

    When you're in bed, considering adding a heavy blanket on top of your duvet, which can be easily kicked off if you get too stuffy. 

    Choose the right fabrics

    For your base layers consider breathable cotton or a sweat wicking material, as you don't want to feel uncomfortable or sweaty, and damp clothes will make you colder. You could wear a vest or a long sleeved lightweight top and build from that.

    The middle and top layers are the ones that will really trap in the heat. Wool is known to be one of the warmest fabrics you can wear because the fibres have an insulating effect, trapping in the heat. Fleece type material, usually made from polyester, can also be an effective top layer as it's designed to mimic wool.

    As for the outer layer, a winter coat can do the trick. Feather and down are known to be effective at keeping you toasty - but synthetic padded coats also keep you insulated from the cold. 

    While warm fabrics, especially such as wool and cashmere, can be pricey, it's worth searching charity shops and second hand sites like eBay for cheaper preloved options.

    Accessorise

    A decent pair of slippers, a warm blanket style scarf, gloves and a woollen hat will help keep you feeling warm and will trap in heat. 

    Thermal socks or bed socks are also helpful, and fingerless gloves are handy for when you're indoors and need to use your hands.

    Consider an electric blanket

    An electric blanket can help keep your bed cosy even when the thermostat is lower - and you can also wrap up in it when you're relaxing on the sofa or working from home. Electric blankets tend to cost anywhere from around £40 for a budget one to in excess of £100 for a more premium product, so shop around. You'll need to bear in mind it will have some running costs as well.

    Use a hot water bottle

    This is a relatively cheap way to stay warm - as a decent a hot water bottle can easily be picked up for less than £10. 

    They tend to keep their heat for at least an hour, too, so all you need to factor in is the cost of boiling a kettle. Pop one on your lap in the day, and warm up your bed with one before jumping in at night. 

    Drink warm drinks

    It's important to stay hydrated, so drinking hot drinks - such as tea or coffee if you need a pick me up, or non caffeinated herbal teas - can do the job while also keeping you warm. 



    source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-cutting-back-on-heating-can-impact-your-health-and-what-to-do-about-it-adcnj1P7iv4t
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