When it's cold, your body protects your core first by narrowing blood vessels in your hands and feet. That's why fingers are often the first thing to go numb. These tips help you keep your hands warm, whether you're outside in the snow, in the stands on game day or stuck at a drafty desk.
1. Keep your core warm
Your hands stay warmer when the rest of you is warm. Wear a base layer, an insulating mid-layer and a hat. If your body isn't fighting to stay warm, it sends more warm blood to your fingers.
2. Choose mittens over gloves when it's really cold
Mittens keep your fingers together so they share heat. For very cold days, they beat gloves.
3. Layer your gloves
A thin liner glove under a warmer outer glove or mitten traps more heat and lets you take off the outer layer for tasks without exposing bare skin.
4. Stay dry
Wet hands lose heat fast. Pick water-resistant gloves for snow and rain, and swap out damp gloves as soon as you can.
5. Use a hand warmer
A pocket hand warmer gives you a direct source of heat. Rechargeable warmers let you choose the heat level and turn them off between uses, so one charge can cover your commute and the walk home. The WarmNest Rechargeable Hand Warmer runs up to 12 hours on low.
6. Warm your pockets before you go
Drop a hand warmer into your coat pocket a few minutes before you leave, so you're not starting with cold fabric.
7. Keep moving
Swinging your arms in big circles pushes blood out to your fingertips. Wiggling your fingers and making fists helps too.
8. Hold something warm
A hot drink in an insulated mug warms your hands from the inside and out.
9. Don't forget your wrists
Long cuffs, sleeves that cover your wrists and gloves that tuck under your jacket stop cold air from sneaking in.
10. At your desk, try typing gloves
Fingerless gloves keep your palms and wrists warm while you type. Pair them with a hand warmer during breaks.
When to see a doctor
Cold hands are usually just a sign of cold weather. But if your fingers often turn white or blue, go numb for long periods, or feel painful when they warm up, talk to a doctor, since it can be a sign of a circulation condition such as Raynaud's. If you think you have frostbite, get medical help right away.
Shop winter gloves and mittens and rechargeable hand warmers.