Effective Strategies to Retain Body Heat While Working Outdoors

We have learnt that working outside in cold weather can quickly drain your energy and make it difficult to stay productive. When temperatures drop, your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, which can lead to discomfort, reduced focus, and even health risks like hypothermia.

Knowing how to retain body heat is essential for anyone spending extended time outdoors, especially hikers, outdoor workers, or enthusiasts who want to stay safe and comfortable.

This post explores practical ways to keep your body warm while working outside, focusing on clothing, nutrition, movement, and environmental awareness.

Dress in Layers to Trap Warmth

With working on our market stall, one thing we learned very quickly was the most effective ways to retain our body heat - that was by dressing in layers. Layering creates pockets of air between garments, which act as insulation to keep warmth close to your body.

• Base layer: Choose moisture-wicking materials like merino wool or synthetic fabrics. These keep sweat away from your skin, preventing chills caused by dampness.

• Insulating layer: Use fleece, down, or synthetic insulation to trap heat. This layer holds warmth generated by your body.

• Outer layer: Wear a windproof and waterproof shell to protect against cold wind, rain, or snow. This layer prevents heat loss from exposure to the elements.

  
  

Quick tip: Adjust layers as needed to avoid overheating or sweating, which can reduce your ability to stay warm.

Protect Extremities from Heat Loss

Your head, hands, and feet lose heat rapidly because blood vessels are close to the skin. Keeping these areas warm helps maintain overall body temperature.

• Wear a hat or beanie: A significant amount of heat escapes through your head. A snug, insulated hat can reduce this loss.

• Use gloves or mittens: Mittens tend to keep hands warmer than gloves because fingers share heat. Choose insulated, waterproof options for wet conditions.

• Wear warm socks and insulated boots: Wool or synthetic socks provide warmth even when damp. Boots with insulation and waterproofing keep feet dry and warm.

  
  

Consider hand warmers or foot warmers for extra heat during very cold days.

Stay Active to Generate Heat

Physical activity increases blood flow and generates body heat. When working outdoors, what we do is keep moving to maintain our warmth.

• We take short frequent breaks to stretch or walk around. If your work involves standing still for long periods, make sure you move about as much as you can.

• What we also do is avoid sitting or standing still for too long, as this causes your body temperature to drop.

• Another way we keep warm is to do some dynamic movements, like swinging our arms or marching in place during any quiet times at our stall.

  
  

Be mindful not to overexert yourself, which can cause sweating and lead to chills once you stop moving.

Eat and Drink to Support Body Heat

As we all know our bodies need fuel to produce heat. Eating the right foods and staying hydrated helps us to maintain our energy levels and warmth.

• Eat high-calorie snacks: Nuts, energy bars, and dried fruits provide quick energy to keep your metabolism running. We always have a sack tin with us with some quick-grab snacks in.

• Include warm meals: Soups and stews not only provide calories but also help raise your core temperature. Our flask is always ready with a nice hot soup on a cold day.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking water supports circulation and prevents dehydration, which can impair heat regulation. Hot drinks like herbal tea or even a nice hot chocolate can add comfort on a cold day.

  
  

Use Insulated Gear and Accessories

Specialised gear can improve your ability to retain heat outdoors.

• Insulated sitting pads: When taking breaks, we find sitting on an insulated pad much more comfortable, this helps us to avoid heat loss through contact with cold surfaces.

• Heat-reflective blankets or liners: These reflect your body heat back towards you and are useful in emergencies and even rest periods.

• Hand and foot warmers: Chemical or battery-powered warmers provide additional heat when needed. Even a nice hot water bottle helps to keep you warm and some cafes dont mind re-filling them for you.

  
  

Investing in quality gear designed for cold weather can make a big difference in comfort and safety.

Seek Shelter and Block Wind

Wind increases heat loss by carrying away the warm air close to your skin. Finding shelter or creating windbreaks helps maintain warmth.

• We always hope to set up our stall near natural windbreaks.

• We use portable windbreaks to shield our workspace.

• Position ourselves with our back to the wind to reduce exposure.

  
  

Even a small reduction in wind can significantly improve your ability to stay warm.

Monitor Weather and Plan Ahead

We always like to keep check on the weather forecast and preparing accordingly as this helps us to avoid unexpected cold exposure.

• Check temperature, wind chill, and precipitation before heading out.

• Plan your work schedule to avoid the coldest parts of the day if possible.

• Carry extra clothing and emergency supplies in case conditions worsen.

  
  

Being proactive reduces the risk of heat loss and cold-related issues.

OUR SHOP