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5 Tips for Contractors: How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather

Sure, it’s cold outside. But that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable all day. With a little extra prep (and perhaps some shopping) you can take the edge off of winter, while still getting all your work done. Here are five ways to stay warm when working outside.

1. Layering Is Key to Staying Warm When Working Outside

No matter how cold it is, you’ll sweat if you’re moving around enough—and that makes you cold. Layering with moisture-wicking clothing will key you dry, which keeps you warm. Stay away from cotton and opt for a synthetic base layer. Your outer layer should be waterproof.

2. Fuel Your Body Properly

Don’t decide to start a diet when it’s five below. Instead, make sure you’re getting plenty to eat. What you drink is important, too. Stay well hydrated and be aware that both caffeine and alcohol can actually make you feel colder by restricting blood vessels and making it harder for your body to heat itself.

3. Protect Your Hands

Mittens keep your hands warmer than gloves, but aren’t always practical (unless your job is to build a snowman). Consider wearing a pair of thin gloves that allow you to get your work done with mittens over them. This will allow you to remove your mittens when necessary and stay warm the rest of the time.

4. Protect Your Feet

Avoid cotton and opt instead for either polypropylene socks or wool socks or, if it doesn’t make your toes feel too restricted, layer the two pairs of socks. Make sure your boots are waterproof.

5. Work Smart

When it’s cold outside, that means doing as much prep work as possible indoors, taking breaks to warm up, and (if possible) working during the warmest parts of the day. It also means looking out for signs of hypothermia such an uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, and erratic behavior.

Self Storage Units for Contractors

Renting a self storage unit is one way to make your business more efficient. Let’s say you have a big job that happens to be an hour away from your shop. Sure, you could trek back and forth for supplies. Or, you could rent a self storage unit just a few minutes away from your work site, saving both time and money.

At StorageMart, we offer affordable self storage units that can be rented on a month-by-month basis. Check out our storage unit guide or rent a unit online today.

Renting a self storage unit obviously won’t make you any warmer, but it will help you to get your work done more efficiently—and get home to your nice warm house more quickly.