Beat cold waves in these 5 smart ways

Winters are getting harsher every year. Winter chills, cold waves not only disturb normal life, they also have an adverse effect on one's health. In the recent few years, India has been witnessing the disastrous effects of the cold waves. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the number of deaths due to cold waves in 2020 was 152, which was 76 times more than those due to heat waves.

On Tuesday, the IMD has predicted cold wave and cold day conditions are likely in parts of northwest India for the next two to three days.

In view of the rising cold waves, here are a few tips that one should know in order to beat the cold waves.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked people to not drink alcohol during cold waves. This, it says, reduces the body temperature which should be avoided during low temperatures. Alcohol relaxes and widens the blood vessels, which in turn facilitates body heat to escape and subsequently lowers the body temperature.

Hats or caps prevent heat loss from the body through the head during cold waves. In a general way, any part of the body that is exposed will aid in the release of the body temperature. Therefore in order to retain the heat of the body one should get covered as much as possible.

The NDMA suggests wearing mittens instead of gloves. "Mittens are better than gloves as your fingers can share body heat," the NDMA guidelines read. Mittens are considered to be warmer than gloves as they do not separate the fingers due to which the fingers remain together and also share the overall body heat. Mittens increase the level of warmth in comparison to gloves.

Regular intake of hot drinks will help maintain the body temperature. One can consume kadha, or simple ginger tea in small intervals. But along with this, one should also be careful about the sugar intake. Increased consumption of tea and hot beverages will also increase the amount of sugar consumed which can subsequently have an adverse effect. You can take jaggery instead of refined sugar.