When prolonged anxiety forces us to stay in cold basements, parking lots, and stairwells, hypothermia sets in faster than we can feel it — especially when the temperature drops. These tips are also relevant when staying in rooms without heating.
💡 Keep these 6 rules in mind to help you stay healthy:
1️⃣ Insulation from the cold is priority #1
2️⃣ The “three layers” rule
3️⃣ Dryness is the key to warmth
4️⃣ Breathing and “micro-movements”
5️⃣ Energy support
6️⃣ Collective warmth
☝🏼 What to do to avoid getting sick:
1️⃣ Insulation from the cold – priority #1 ✅
It is important not to “warm up,” but to retain your own heat.
Do not sit or stand in shelters on the floor or stairs – concrete draws heat away in 5–10 minutes.
📍 What to do: place a bag, sleeping mat, or thick cardboard underneath you. Do not take off your backpack—it provides additional protection for your back from drafts and cold walls.
2️⃣ The “three layers” rule🧣
Dress so that there is a layer of air between the layers of clothing – this is what retains heat.
▫️ First – thermal underwear or a thin T-shirt (moisture wicking);
▫️ Second – fleece, sweater, or wool (heat retention);
▫️ Third layer – outerwear (protection from wind and moisture).
⚠️ Important: be sure to cover critical areas: head, neck, lower back, wrists, and ankles. We lose a significant amount of heat through our heads, and our extremities freeze first due to slowed blood circulation.
If your shoes are tight, untie them to restore blood circulation, otherwise your feet will freeze instantly.
3️⃣ Dryness is the key to warmth 🧦🧤
Wet clothing cools the body dozens of times faster than dry clothing. Are your feet or hands sweaty or wet? Change your socks and gloves immediately.
🎒 Always keep a spare pair of socks and gloves in a sealed bag inside your backpack.
4️⃣ Breathing and “micro-movements” 🌬️
Breathe mainly through your nose. Do not cover your mouth too tightly with a scarf — it will become damp from your breath and turn into an “ice crust” in the cold, which can lead to frostbite on your face.
🕺 Do not sit still. Periodically squeeze your fingers and toes, tense your muscles – this will keep you warm without excessive sweating.
5️⃣ Energy support 🍫
In the cold, the body quickly burns energy to keep warm. A few pieces of chocolate, nuts, or warm tea will help maintain your internal resources.
🚫 Alcohol is strictly prohibited. It gives a false sense of warmth, but actually accelerates the cooling of the body.
6️⃣ Collective warmth 🫂
Don't be shy about sitting closer to each other. Heat exchange between people is one of the most effective ways to keep warm in extreme conditions.
Take care of yourself. Your safety is in your preparedness! 💙💛
6️⃣ Колективне тепло 🫂
Не соромтеся сідати ближче одне до одного. Теплообмін між людьми – один із найефективніших способів зігрітися в екстремальних умовах.
Бережіть себе. Ваша безпека – у вашій підготовленості! 💙💛