Working from home certainly comes with its perks, such as no commute and no need for a dog walker. However, it also presents its own set of challenges. For someone like me, living in an old, draughty Victorian house, the winter season is the most daunting.
The winter months fill me with dread. While we have the heating on each night, it feels wasteful to crank up the heating during the day when I’m the only one at home, particularly when any generated warmth quickly vanishes once the heating is turned off. Over time, I’ve tried various products to keep warm – here are the five essentials that I now can’t live without.
1. Heated throw
A heated throw is a fail-safe option. Over the years, I’ve tested various kinds, but my top pick for working from home is Morphy Richards’ EverCosy Luxury Striped Fleece Electric Heated Throw.
I have the small green one, crafted from a wonderfully soft fleece fabric, and it’s just the right size for use at my desk.
It heats up rapidly, the controls are so simple that I can adjust them without even looking, and it’s incredibly cosy. Typically, I switch this on in the morning after returning from the nursery run to warm me up as I start work, and it never fails to deliver.
2. Warming shawl
While the heated throw is excellent for when I’m seated at my desk in the morning, it does have a cord, which means it stays at my desk. So, when I want to take my lunch break or a quick screen break, I swiftly swap to my Homedics Cosy Cordless Warming Shawl.
It’s easy to wear, and with two heat settings reaching up to 38°C, I don’t get a sudden cold shock when I leave my throw behind. Our kitchen is the coldest room in our house, so it’s lovely to have something wearable (with pockets!) that gives me a bit of extra warmth while I prepare my lunch.
I haven’t worn it outside the house yet, but as the temperature falls, it becomes increasingly appealing for those icy nursery runs.
3. Stoov Homey
In the past, I’ve used traditional hot water bottles, but the intense initial heat can sometimes make my skin feel a bit sensitive, making the Stoov Homey an excellent alternative for me.
It works by using infrared technology to directly warm your body, rather than the air around you. It emits a gentler heat than others on this list, but it’s more concentrated and incredibly soothing.
I usually place it behind my lower back and it effectively warms up my core, whilst also easing any aches and pains. It has three heat settings and can last up to four hours before needing a recharge.
After work, my Homey also doubles as a cushion while I’m engrossed in my evening book, and it’s helped me fall asleep on several occasions.
4. Hand warmers
Hand warmers are an absolute must-have for anyone, like myself, who really feels the cold in their fingers. I bought a large box of Hot Hands Hand Warmers during a Costco trip last year, but they’re also available on Amazon, as well as from numerous supermarkets.
The process is simple: open the sachet and extract the warmer. They’re ready-to-use, heating up swiftly and maintaining warmth for several hours.
They are typically sold in pairs, presumably for use in each hand, but I tend to alternate hands with a single warmer. Top tip: if you’re also using a heated throw or hot water bottle, place the warmer on top for an extra boost of heat!
5. Fingerless gloves
Naturally, all these alternatives to switching on the heating do incur costs, either through initial purchase or subsequent charging. While this might not be feasible for everyone, it works for me as staying warm is vital for my productivity.
That said, I also ensure I’m dressed in layers and wear items like slippers to enhance warmth without any additional aids. Fingerless gloves are another winter staple for me while working, as they keep my hands cosy whilst still enabling efficient typing.
My pair was a gift from a relative, but similar ones can be found online, such as these cashmere fingerless gloves from Amazon.
