Working from home comes with its perks (no commuting time and no need for a dog walker, to name just two), but there are definitely some drawbacks too. And as someone living in an old, draughty Victorian house, winter is the biggest downside of all.
I actively dread the winter months. The problem is it feels counterintuitive to put the heating on when it’s just me in the house – especially when any heat seeps straight back out as soon as I turn it off again. Instead, over the years I’ve tried all kinds of products to help me stay warm – here are the five I now couldn’t live without.
1. Heated throw
You can’t go wrong with a heated throw. I’ve used all kinds over the years, but the one I most love using while working from home is Morphy Richards’ EverCosy Luxury Striped Fleece Electric Heated Throw. I have the small green one in a lovely soft fleece fabric, and it’s the perfect size for using while sitting at my desk.
It heats up quickly, the controls are so simple I can reach down and change them without looking and it’s just so cosy. I tend to put this on in the morning when I get home from the nursery run to warm me up while I start work, and it always does the job.
(Image: Morphy Richards)
2. Warming shawl
While the heated throw is great for while I’m sitting at my desk in the morning, it is corded, and therefore fixed to my desk. So when I want to go for my lunch break, or take a quick screen break, I quickly switch over to my Homedics Cosy Cordless Warming Shawl.
It’s easy to throw on, and has two warming settings up to 38°C, meaning I don’t get a sudden wave of cold as soon as I leave my throw behind. Our kitchen is the coldest part of our house, so it’s nice to have something wearable (with pockets!) giving me a bit of extra warmth while I prepare my lunch.
I haven’t worn it out of the house yet, but the colder it gets the more appealing it is to wear it for the chilly nursery run.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
3. Stoov Homey
I’ve previously used regular hot water bottles, but find the aggressive initial heat can sometimes leave my skin feeling a little tender, so the Stoov Homey is a great alternative for me.
It works by using infrared technology to warm your body directly, rather than the surrounding air. It gives off a gentler heat than others on this list, but it’s more targeted and super soothing.
I tend to place it behind my lower back and it really warms up my core, while also helping with any aches and pains. It has three heat settings and can last for up to four hours before needing to be recharged.
After work, my Homey also doubles up as a cushion while I’m reading my book in the evening, and it’s helped me drift off to sleep on more than one occasion.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
4. Hand warmers
Hand warmers are an absolute must-have for anyone, like me, who really feels the cold in their fingers. I bought a big box of Hot Hands Hand Warmers during a Costco trip last year, but they’re also available on Amazon, as well as from many supermarkets.
For the uninitiated, all you need to do is open the sachet and remove the warmer. They’re ready to use, so heat up quickly and stay hot for hours and hours. They come in pairs, so I think the idea is to use one in each hand, but I just open one and switch hands as needed. Bonus tip: if you’re using a heated throw or hot water bottle too, pop the warmer on top and it seems to magically take on even more heat!
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
5. Fingerless gloves
Of course, all of these alternatives to putting the heating on do cost money, whether through the initial purchase or subsequent charging. While this may not be for everyone, it works for me, as feeling warm is important for my productivity.
That said, I do also make sure I’m layering my clothes and wearing things like slippers to keep me warmer without any additional help. Fingerless gloves are another of my go-to winter accessories while working, as they warm up my hands while still allowing me to type effectively. Mine were a gift from a family member, but you can find similar ones online, like these cashmere fingerless gloves from Amazon.
(Image: Talya Honebeek)
