Home » 11 Effective Ways to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm at Work

11 Effective Ways to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm at Work

Your office can be a very comfortable workplace, yet you may suddenly feel very cold. The winters are significantly more difficult, as you have to take special care of your body to keep it warm. While layering is an effective solution, you cannot layer on piles of clothes and woolens because you have to dress formally for an office.

And yet, you cannot be your best and be at your most productive if you are always uncomfortable with cold. It would help to find out why you feel cold and what clothing works for you.

Your hands and feet getting cold too often may indicate some underlying weakness or poor nutrition, but that is in most extreme cases. Usually, a change in the thermostat is enough to take care of the problem. However, since other people are working in the office as well, you cannot constantly adjust the temperature to your liking.

Hence, you have to look for other ways to take care of the problem.

You may have to consult a doctor if nothing works, but that is a very long shot. Adjusting the environment to your comfort can often do the trick.

Why Do Hands and Feet Get Cold in Office?

Why Do Hands and Feet Get Cold in Office

Your hands and feet can get cold in the office if the building is not adequately insulated. Even if it is, sometimes the temperatures can dip to such an extent that even heating systems and proper insulation stop working.

Cold hands and feet indicate that your entire body is turning cold, and your body stops circulating blood to the extremities to preserve the heat around the vital organs of the body. It is like your brain is sending a signal to stop circulating blood to the more unimportant areas of the body.

Since the limbs do not perform a significant function like the vital organs, your body stops pumping blood to those parts. So at first, you will notice the fingertips turning cold, then your palms, and eventually the entire hand and feet. This is also one of the reasons why the nose gets cold since it rises from the rest of the face and is more exposed to the cold.

Since your hands and feet are the most exposed areas of the body, they are the first to turn cold when the temperature drops.

How to Keep Hands Warm at Work?

You could try a few methods to keep your hands warm at work. Here are some practical ways.

1. Wear Gloves

Wear Gloves

Wearing gloves is the most effective way of keeping your hands warm. However, if you are at a desk job, then you may find it challenging to type away at the computer with bulky gloves on.

The solution to the problem is to invest in suitable typing gloves. These gloves are thin as surgical gloves but keep your hands warm.

You will find it easy to type with these gloves, even when working with a touchscreen. Yes, you may feel slowed down at first, and it might even feel awkward while typing, but you will soon pick up your typing speed again as you get used to them.

If you find typing with these gloves still too awkward, you may opt for gloves with cutouts for fingers. These gloves are designed to keep your palms and wrists warm while your fingers are free to type.

2. Drink Warm Beverages

Drinking warm beverages always keep your body warm overall. You can sip on your hot coffee or hot chocolate while you work.

Moreover, the joy of cupping your hands around the warm mug also makes you feel cozy and warm, and it can keep you warm inside and out.

3. Dress Warmly

Dress Warmly

If you are inadequately dressed for the cold weather, you are bound to feel cold. Invest in a good long coat that keeps you warm without bulky clothes.

The long sleeves should come right up to your wrists, and if you are warm and toasty throughout, your hands will not get so cold even when exposed.

Also Read:- What to Wear on the First Day of Work For Man And Woman?

4. Use a Heating Pad or Lamp

You can use a heating pad or a heating lamp on your desk to rest your elbows. These electronic devices are designed to give you warmth and comfort, so you should use them well if your hands get too cold.

Heating lamps are very effective, and they are often used with pet reptiles to regulate their body temperature. Hence, having one on your desk with the light directed toward your hands will keep them warm.

5. Move Around

Move Around

You can feel too cold when sitting in the same position for a long time. Hence, it would be best if you made it a point to move around a bit whenever you feel cold and numb.

Stretch your limbs, go for a walk and rub the palms of your hands vigorously to warm them up. Moving around promotes circulation, and it will instantly make you warmer than before.

6. Choose the Warmest Corner

One of the ways to ensure that you stay warm is to choose the warmest corner in the office. You can select a spot closer to the heating vent and ask your manager if you can shift your desk closer to them.

Of course, that might not be possible because your manager might not want to disrupt the office layout. However, it is still worth a try, especially if you get very uncomfortable due to the cold. You can tell your manager you will return to your regular spot once the cold subsides.

Also Read: Things You Need To Do In Your First Week At A New Job

How to Keep Feet Warm at Work?

Just like your hands, your feet may also feel cold at work. Here are tips to help you keep them warm.

1. Bring Extra Socks

Bring Extra Socks

If you still feel cold after wearing your regular pair of socks, then try putting on another pair over it. You can also buy woolen socks that will give you more warmth compared to regular ones.

Two layers of socks will make your feet snug inside the shoes, and you should feel warm.

2. Use a Rug

If the entire lower half of your body feels cold, you can use a rug or shawl and lightly drape it over your legs. Since your lower half of the body is below the desk anyway, it will not make much of a difference.

You can just fold it and keep it aside when you have to get up, ensuring you do not have to change your formal attire. You will feel far more comfortable, and your feet will not get cold so quickly if your legs feel warm.

3. Go for a Walk

Go for a Walk

Moving around is essential for circulation, so you should quickly get up and take a walk if your feet feel numb and cold. You could just go to the coffee vending machine or walk along the aisle.

Even a little movement will restore warmth to your limbs, and you can work with ease again.

4. Change Your Shoes

Sometimes, the wrong footwear can cause your feet to feel numb and cold. Shoes with thin soles get colder quickly, and the cold might have already seeped when you walked into your office.

Invest in shoes made of thick soles and good leather, as they have better insulation. The cold will not reach your feet even if you have had to walk on snow.

5. Use Warming Gels

Use Warming Gels

You can use warming gels to warm your hands and feet at work. While you should try not to use them too often, if you feel too cold during the coldest days, the warming gels can help you relax.

They will produce a tingling sensation and will also make your palms and feet sweat a little, but they will do the job of keeping you warm.

How to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm While Working Outside?

How to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm While Working Outside?

If you do not have a desk job and work outside, your hands and feet will feel cold, especially during the winter months. Wearing gloves and socks made from high-quality materials that provide good insulation and trap the body inside is the most obvious solution to the problem.

In addition, you should try to wear darker hues as they trap body heat and warm up faster in the sun. Never expose yourself to cold unnecessarily.

However, while wearing gloves and socks, ensure they do not make you slip, especially when handling tools, as they may cause an accident.

You must also try to keep yourself dry at all times and try to block the wind. Cold winds can easily numb you, even if the temperature has not dipped very low. Have hot drinks at a time to feel warm from the inside.

Also Read: What is a Reasonable Commute to Work? (Commuting Distance)

How to Keep Hands and Feet Warm Due to Poor Circulation?

How to Keep Hands and Feet Warm Due to Poor Circulation

Hands and feet can turn cold very quickly due to poor blood circulation. And that usually happens due to a lack of movement. Whenever you feel your hands and feet are turning cold, walk around a bit, even if your office has limited space. If you have a chance to go out, then take a walk along the pavement.

Leading an active life, in general, helps you stay active. A sedentary work life can add to poor circulation, which is why you must exercise at other times of the day. You can also add more protein to your diet, which helps retain more body heat.

How to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm at School?

How to Keep Your Hands and Feet Warm at School

If you are at school and your hands and feet feel cold, you should try to warm yourself by wearing adequate warm clothing that is appropriate for the school.

While you may not be able to carry heating lamps or pads in school, you can always dress up warmly. Add scarves, gloves, and hats to your attire. You can also wear woolens that abide by your school protocols.

Moreover, even it is imperative to get some movement to keep away the cold. Wiggle your fingers and toes whenever you are sitting in class.

Even if you cannot move around when a class is on, wiggling your fingers and toes will allow you some movement and prevent them from going numb. When you have the chance, engage in sports. Exercise helps keep the body warm and regulates blood circulation during winter.

Also Read:- How to Dress for a Job Interview for Men?

Conclusion

If you are in discomfort, it is natural that you will not be at your productive best. Cold can make you feel numb and ultimately take your mind off work. Studies have shown that a comfortable working environment boosts concentration.

If your hands and feet are constantly cold at work, then all you would be able to do is think of your cozy bed and covers at home, and that will slow you down. Hence, do all you can to regulate your body temperature and keep yourself warm at work, and once the winters are over, you won’t feel so cold anymore.