For some odd reason, many buildings in Japan don't have central heating. This
includes both my house and my work place. Because of this, I am asking all you
fine people on MiniTokyo for advice on how I can stay warm. I have a kerosene
heater, a kotatsu (heated table), hot carpet, and a heated blanket. However, I
can't bring all of those to work.
Do you have any suggestions for staying warm? Food/drink, clothing, activities,
anything!
Well, it's the same thing in Hong Kong, most places don't have central heating.
Warm drinks definitely help, tea for me usually or just plain hot water.
Activities would depend on where you're working, but at home just doing random
chores and challenging yourself to do it faster or in a set time limit can warm
you up with a good bit of exercise . If
you're cold, always put on a few layers of clothes, a t-shirt under a shirt
under a sweater under a coat if necessary xD. You sure learn a lot about keeping
warm when you live up somewhere cold
@cloudy: um... thanks *cough*
@EB: Thanks for the advice, babe. I like the chore idea; my house could use a
bit of a clean up. Warm drinks do help! I have really gotten into the tea thing.
layering! it's always easier (and faster) to get cooler by taking clothes off
than putting them on! or to combine ajb-san's idea, hot shower and then right
afterwards put on warm clothes... more insulation= warmth! as for drinks... hot
tea or hot chocolate (if you're a sugar addict like me )
always does the trick to warm up the insides!
You can always get Eletric Space Heater... =P If ya get a nice one it works
wonders, espically here in NM during the winter in a double wide trailer
(Granted, it's added on with Jacuzzi Tub, and Jacuzzi hot tub) my roomates and I
run about 2 of 'em and keeps both side of the trailer pretty good. Just gotta
becareful don't start a fire or anything. Usually they are pretty safe if you
keep 'em clear of things, tho.
The other thing I use to do is just wear my Columbia everywhere... =O But I'm
sure you don't wanna double layer up in a jacket, which I don't blame
you.
Wanna stay warm...there's so many aways...how about...hummm I can lend my
body^^v that's a 100% away to stay warm just call me(if you're a girl call...but
if one of the guys that read this want to call i'll make you fell warm..but in
hell ^^
Hibernate! Naw, I'm just kidding. ^_^ Anywho, definitely keep your feet, hands,
and head warm. Those are the spots that the most heat is lost. If you always
have warm or layered socks at home and a scarf or hat outside (with gloves of
course!), you should be cool. I definitely agree with the tea as well. Having
something warm in your belly and down your throat can do wonders and is of
course a pleasant little treat.
The clothes idea is good, I like the space heater, but another idea might be
those wraps (at least you can get them in North America) that you can use to
heat your back, neck, etc. Keeping your core warm will help to keep the rest of
you warm as your blood circulates.
You may also want to try keeping some candles lit (at least at home), it might
not seem like much, but a couple of them will provide some heat, in my
experience. Of course, there's that open flame thing, and I'd recommend honey
candles, healthier for you.
Incidentally, not having central heating is truly awful, I feel very badly for
you! :-(
wow we just learned about this in physics. if you wear multiple layers you will
be warmer because there is air trapped in between the layers of clothes. Air is
apparently a bad conductor of heat and therefore it is a great insulator for
heat. Its the same concept with a thermos waterbottle. There are two layers of
metal, sandwiched in between is some air, as a result of this metal air metal
sandwich the heat of the liquid inside will stay warmer. So you can apply it
with clothes. The more layers you wear, the warmer you will be. I hope i didnt
rant for too long, i was in the ranting mood ^__^
I have the same problem! It's so cold here now
But even with my layering, I still get cold.
I don't know if this is true, but it makes sense to me. But like don't wear all
your layers at once when you're indoors. Like sitting on the bus with my jacket
on, my body adapts/equilibriates to the environment with how it is now (with the
jacket). But then when I get off the bus into the cold, it's like it feels a lot
colder then it could be.
I would definitely say bundle up with layering though! And have some hot drinks.
It'll warm you up from inside out. If you take a hot shower, make sure to dry
your hair really well though. You could do quick exercises to get warmed up
maybe? Like jumping jacks? I don't know. I'm usually cold regardless of what I
do, so I'm not much help... >.>
wonder if you could short term solutions as well...
Carry with you a bottle of cheap alcohol...works like a charm, just don't get
drunk. I know that is what helps.
merged: 12-02-2005 ~ 01:51pm
one other thing, the best thing is to have a hot shower beforehand, then go for
some activities. I prefer to do Push Ups, after of which you will sweat heavily
and then take another hot shower.
Thanks for all the advice! I was so happy to see such a great responce! Many of
you mentioned layers. what kind of material would you recommend? polar fleece?
cotton?
@sukumei: I have enough flab.
@elixeus: pillow glomping! I love it.
@DevilDude: If it wasn't for the zero-tollerance driving rule and the fact that
I shouldnt be drinking when I'm about to teach childen, I would. Good idea,
though... in theory.
@Shadu: i SO wish I could hybernate!
@higuri: I am a girl, but I have this hunch that you are too young for me.
@ajb: great idea, but my bf lives a little bit away from here. But when I do see
him, I make sure to steal his body heat.
How I keep myself warm is by wearing 3 layers of clothing. I wear a tank, then a
tee or long-sleeves shirt, and then a sweater. Then of course the coat.
The materials I wear usually range from cotton, polyester, acrylic, fleece,
suede, and chenille.
Always have a cozy scarf handy. Scarvies are your best winter friends! I have a
long dark green chenille scarf, if you're wondering.
layers all the way! I'm a skinny person so I dont have a lot of body fat, I
survived through everyday of winter at school last year wearing a skirt becaues
I had layers, I used to wear about 7 I'd wear 3 singlets two 3/4 tops and my
school shirt and black woolen jumper, I also wore knee high socks with my skirt.
these days I just stay by the heater!
I live in Los Angeles, and I know a woman who brings an electric space heater to
work So thats not out of the question. Also, if you can't wear warm shoes
to work you can always leave a pair of warm slippers or Uggs at your desk to
slip into while you're working. That way you can change back to your work shoes
when you need to, but be warm when you're doing your work.
Hm...I live in New York and right now, it's absolutely freezing! If there isn't
any heating equipment, I don't know what I'd do...but if I had to stay warm, I
would maybe wear a big sweater? ^_^"
i wear a long sleeve t, thermal shirt, t-shirt, and zip hoodie in that order.
plus a jacket unless you hate jackets like me.
merged: 12-16-2005 ~ 10:29am
i have cnetral heating now, but only in half my house. the other half still uses
radiators and the furnace is busted, so my room is only like 5 degrees warmer
than it is outside.
For some odd reason, many buildings in Japan don't have central heating. This includes both my house and my work place. Because of this, I am asking all you fine people on MiniTokyo for advice on how I can stay warm. I have a kerosene heater, a kotatsu (heated table), hot carpet, and a heated blanket. However, I can't bring all of those to work.
Do you have any suggestions for staying warm? Food/drink, clothing, activities,
anything!
Well, it's the same thing in Hong Kong, most places don't have central heating. Warm drinks definitely help, tea for me usually or just plain hot water. Activities would depend on where you're working, but at home just doing random chores and challenging yourself to do it faster or in a set time limit can warm you up with a good bit of exercise
. If
you're cold, always put on a few layers of clothes, a t-shirt under a shirt
under a sweater under a coat if necessary xD. You sure learn a lot about keeping
warm when you live up somewhere cold 
@cloudy: um... thanks *cough*
@EB: Thanks for the advice, babe. I like the chore idea; my house could use a bit of a clean up. Warm drinks do help! I have really gotten into the tea thing.
take really really hot showers/baths...
that'll keep ya warm for at least an hour after gettin out of the shower ^___~
layering! it's always easier (and faster) to get cooler by taking clothes off than putting them on! or to combine ajb-san's idea, hot shower and then right afterwards put on warm clothes... more insulation= warmth! as for drinks... hot tea or hot chocolate (if you're a sugar addict like me
)
always does the trick to warm up the insides! 
how bout cuddling wit ur bf/gf, sharing a blankie next to a fireplace sippin on some hot cocoa? ^____^
PookyChan,
You can always get Eletric Space Heater... =P If ya get a nice one it works wonders, espically here in NM during the winter in a double wide trailer (Granted, it's added on with Jacuzzi Tub, and Jacuzzi hot tub) my roomates and I run about 2 of 'em and keeps both side of the trailer pretty good. Just gotta becareful don't start a fire or anything. Usually they are pretty safe if you keep 'em clear of things, tho.
The other thing I use to do is just wear my Columbia everywhere... =O But I'm sure you don't wanna double layer up in a jacket, which I don't blame you.
Just another idea,
Ali
Wanna stay warm...there's so many aways...how about...hummm I can lend my body^^v that's a 100% away to stay warm just call me(if you're a girl call...but if one of the guys that read this want to call i'll make you fell warm..but in hell ^^
Hibernate! Naw, I'm just kidding. ^_^ Anywho, definitely keep your feet, hands, and head warm. Those are the spots that the most heat is lost. If you always have warm or layered socks at home and a scarf or hat outside (with gloves of course!), you should be cool. I definitely agree with the tea as well. Having something warm in your belly and down your throat can do wonders and is of course a pleasant little treat.
Good luck staying warm this winter!
Ciao. ^_~
The clothes idea is good, I like the space heater, but another idea might be those wraps (at least you can get them in North America) that you can use to heat your back, neck, etc. Keeping your core warm will help to keep the rest of you warm as your blood circulates.
You may also want to try keeping some candles lit (at least at home), it might not seem like much, but a couple of them will provide some heat, in my experience. Of course, there's that open flame thing, and I'd recommend honey candles, healthier for you.
Incidentally, not having central heating is truly awful, I feel very badly for you! :-(
wow we just learned about this in physics. if you wear multiple layers you will be warmer because there is air trapped in between the layers of clothes. Air is apparently a bad conductor of heat and therefore it is a great insulator for heat. Its the same concept with a thermos waterbottle. There are two layers of metal, sandwiched in between is some air, as a result of this metal air metal sandwich the heat of the liquid inside will stay warmer. So you can apply it with clothes. The more layers you wear, the warmer you will be. I hope i didnt rant for too long, i was in the ranting mood ^__^
I have the same problem! It's so cold here now
But even with my layering, I still get cold.
I don't know if this is true, but it makes sense to me. But like don't wear all your layers at once when you're indoors. Like sitting on the bus with my jacket on, my body adapts/equilibriates to the environment with how it is now (with the jacket). But then when I get off the bus into the cold, it's like it feels a lot colder then it could be.
I would definitely say bundle up with layering though! And have some hot drinks. It'll warm you up from inside out. If you take a hot shower, make sure to dry your hair really well though. You could do quick exercises to get warmed up maybe? Like jumping jacks? I don't know. I'm usually cold regardless of what I do, so I'm not much help... >.>
wonder if you could short term solutions as well...
Carry with you a bottle of cheap alcohol...works like a charm, just don't get drunk. I know that is what helps.
merged: 12-02-2005 ~ 01:51pm
one other thing, the best thing is to have a hot shower beforehand, then go for some activities. I prefer to do Push Ups, after of which you will sweat heavily and then take another hot shower.
I got a pillow / blanket fetish. I just usually wear a sweater with a hood, and glomp myself with blankets. Did I mention having like 5 pillows too
?
get more flab hehe
orjust focuse the mind on flame
Thanks for all the advice! I was so happy to see such a great responce! Many of you mentioned layers. what kind of material would you recommend? polar fleece? cotton?
@sukumei: I have enough flab.
@elixeus: pillow glomping! I love it.
@DevilDude: If it wasn't for the zero-tollerance driving rule and the fact that I shouldnt be drinking when I'm about to teach childen, I would. Good idea, though... in theory.
@Shadu: i SO wish I could hybernate!
@higuri: I am a girl, but I have this hunch that you are too young for me.
@ajb: great idea, but my bf lives a little bit away from here. But when I do see him, I make sure to steal his body heat.
How I keep myself warm is by wearing 3 layers of clothing. I wear a tank, then a tee or long-sleeves shirt, and then a sweater. Then of course the coat.
The materials I wear usually range from cotton, polyester, acrylic, fleece, suede, and chenille.
Always have a cozy scarf handy. Scarvies are your best winter friends! I have a long dark green chenille scarf, if you're wondering.
layers all the way! I'm a skinny person so I dont have a lot of body fat, I survived through everyday of winter at school last year wearing a skirt becaues I had layers, I used to wear about 7 I'd wear 3 singlets two 3/4 tops and my school shirt and black woolen jumper, I also wore knee high socks with my skirt. these days I just stay by the heater!
Besides bundling up you mean?
Get fat.
A good technique for layering is to have your first and second layers made of cotton, and then your third made of wool. Fleece is also really good.
I live in Los Angeles, and I know a woman who brings an electric space heater to work
So thats not out of the question. Also, if you can't wear warm shoes
to work you can always leave a pair of warm slippers or Uggs at your desk to
slip into while you're working. That way you can change back to your work shoes
when you need to, but be warm when you're doing your work.
Hm...I live in New York and right now, it's absolutely freezing! If there isn't any heating equipment, I don't know what I'd do...but if I had to stay warm, I would maybe wear a big sweater? ^_^"
the power of layering compels you!
i wear a long sleeve t, thermal shirt, t-shirt, and zip hoodie in that order. plus a jacket unless you hate jackets like me.
merged: 12-16-2005 ~ 10:29am
i have cnetral heating now, but only in half my house. the other half still uses radiators and the furnace is busted, so my room is only like 5 degrees warmer than it is outside.
which pretty much sucks.