Hello winter!

Hello winter!

Those who were grumbling about winter not arriving, have now no reason to find faults with nature. The snowfall in the upper regions of the country and the hills last week, has caused the temperatures to nosedive. Time to embrace the chill and turn your mental computers to winter mode!

It is not that we north Indians have tundra-like temperatures of Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavian or arctic regions, but the rollercoaster from 45 degrees Celsius in summer to 6-10 degrees in winter demands a lot of adjustment from the body and make us wonder how our ancestors bore this cold without the modern-day gadgets.

Taken out your hot water bottles? Most of you have experienced winter for a few decades and are experts by now, but what is the harm in ticking off this checklist for the next one month?

• Dress in layers: Gone are the days when one thick overcoat was advocated as ample protection. It is safer to wear lightweight, loose-fitting, warm clothing in layers. If you can tolerate synthetic fibres, good enough, otherwise add fleece and wool layer by layer. Thermals, or what we call ‘inners’ are a big thing now. Reject the scratchy, itchy, rough wool rag you have been dragging for decades, enjoy the newer,      softer materials.

•  Protect your extremities: While Germans chide you if your throat and neck are exposed, the Americans advise covering up your head, hands and feet. So, go crazy in choosing colourful caps, scarves, mittens/gloves and thick socks. No harm wearing one size bigger shoes if need be. If you have extra blankets, woollens, caps and socks etc. lying uselessly, give them to someone in need. Karma might reward you some time.
• Stay hydrated:   Do not avoid drinking water just because it is cold, warm it up. Our body needs fluids; drink warm, not necessarily hot, fluids regularly. All those herbal teas and masalas for chai you have been planning to try, this is the time to indulge yourself.

• Eat well: Eating a healthy, balanced diet is advised all year long but winter is the time when calories do not seem to matter. Enjoy buttery stuffed parathas, fried pakoras (fritters), roasted peanuts, gajar ka halwa (carrot halwa), sarson ka saag (mustard greens), spicy mutton, steaming soups.

• Stay clean, dry: Wash, bathe, clean yourself even if getting into cold clothes seems such an abhorrable idea, braving the cold bathroom is better than the winter scent that some people emanate. Of course, you would not let yourself or the children roam around in wet clothes!
• Cover your mouth: Viruses have no fear of winter, so wear a mask to avoid breathing around sniffly people wiping their noses on their gloves/cuffs or coughing their chest out into the air around. Your lungs would also thank you for the warmed-up air you are feeding them.   

• Move that body: Before you start looking like a bear ready to hibernate or pig fattened for slaughter, move that body. Doctors recommend moderate physical activity which is good not only for your health but also keeps you warm. A brisk walk, dance, yoga or chasing your dog to snatch back that fluffy sock, whatever suits you, is good for your joints. 
• Make your home winter-ready: If you suddenly realise there is a window or door which is not sealed and professional help is not available right away, do not hesitate to use tape, newspapers or cloth to seal it. Cold drafts are no fun to experience in this weather. Do not pay attention to what others might think, trust me, they would thank you for it.
• Heat the house: If you have been using room coolers or air conditioners in summer, there is no need to scrimp on the electricity bill for the next four weeks. Heat at least your bedrooms and the room you spend most of the day in. You need heaters only for a short time, that too up to a comfortable 21°C. If you are using coal or wood for heating, open the window a bit to avoid that newspaper insert ‘departed for his/her heavenly abode’.

• Special Care for the Vulnerable - Elderly family members, children, and pets need extra attention. Make sure they are bundled up, hydrated, and snuggled in warm, draft-free spots. Run after your pets when they go for unnecessary adventures in cold, damp spots. After they have been outside, dry their paws with care like Krishna cleaning Sudama’s feet.
• Take your medication regularly: That is true for ever, whatever be the weather, but pre-existing conditions can get worse during winter. Low temperatures can also bring in flu/common cold/sore throat, bacterial/viral infections, sinusitis/asthma, dry, itchy skin, besides joints discomfort or heart problems and who in their right mind would want that? 

Having doled out this grandmotherly advice, I am feeling very good as if I have fulfilled an important social duty.

For now, I am going to retreat into my armchair with a thick shawl on my lap, warming up my hands with knitting and my insides with a big mug of hot chocolate. Somebody suggested utilising this time to catch up with the household tasks I have been postponing, but if they have waited this long, what is a few more weeks! 

Not the actual scene though! Photo:Attic24

                                                                               -Anupama S Mani