The winter months can be hard on our hands, and it’s normal for them to get cold whether we’re inside or outside, but doing one simple exercise could help them warm up in seconds
Trying to warm your hands up once they’re cold can feel like an impossible task. No matter whether you’re at home and refusing to put the heating on, or you’re out walking your dog in the cold winter air, our hands are prone to getting cold at this time of year.
Not only are cold hands uncomfortable, but they can also stop you from doing simple tasks, as the cold can make it harder to flex your fingers, meaning picking things up or typing on a keyboard is harder. But according to one woman on Instagram, there’s an easy way to warm your hands up in seconds – without spending a penny.
Both disposable and rechargeable handwarmers are often touted as the best way to warm up your hands, but Erin Warren has claimed there’s a better method that you can use any time and anywhere. Erin said she uses the hack when she’s out and about, and it’s the perfect way to warm her hands up when she’s out running in the winter.
However, it can work whether you’re outside or inside, as all you have to do is one simple exercise. She said: “This trick works every time. I learnt it in an avalanche training class.
“You basically take a little penguin stance like this, and just raise and lower your shoulders. What it does is it takes warm blood from your core and pumps it out to your extremities. It feels a little weird, but do this 10 times and your fingers warm up so quickly.”
To do the exercise, adopt the “penguin pose” Erin mentioned, which involves putting your arms by your side and flexing your hands so that your palms face the ground, as if you’re about to waddle like a penguin. Then all you have to do is shrug your shoulders up and down, and you should feel the blood start to flow back into your hands and fingers, warming them up in the process.
Commenters on the video were thankful for the hack, as many said they often suffer with cold hands throughout the winter and were struggling to find a solution. One person said: “I have Raynaud’s and I’m constantly fighting to keep my fingers. Can’t wait to try this.”
Another added: “I have to try this as temperatures are dropping a bit.” A third wrote: “I learnt this last year. It really works. I do it all the time because my hands are always cold.”
How to keep your hands warm in the winter
1. Wear gloves or mittens
- Mittens are warmer than gloves because your fingers share the warmth.
- Choose insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens for very cold or wet conditions.
2. Keep your core warm
- If your body is cold, it will reduce blood flow to your hands. Dress in layers and keep your torso well-insulated.
3. Use hand warmers
- Disposable or rechargeable handwarmers can be placed inside your gloves or pockets for extra heat.
4. Avoid caffeine and smoking
- Both can constrict blood vessels and reduce circulation to your hands.
5. Eat well and stay hydrated
- Good nutrition and hydration help your body regulate temperature.
6. Move your hands
- Wiggle your fingers, make fists, or swing your arms to increase blood flow.
