Forecasters predict a cold snap down to minus 25 degrees Celsius for this weekend. Doctors are already recording cases of frostbite and advise dressing warmer.

Forecasters predict a cold snap down to minus 25 degrees Celsius for this weekend. Doctors are already recording cases of frostbite and advise dressing warmer. The traffic police recommend preparing your vehicle for a trip in advance. The weather has also added to the workload of road services – special equipment is operating in enhanced mode.

In such weather, it is very easy to chill your respiratory tract and get sick.

The principle of protection in strong winds is simple – breathe correctly.

The inhaled air should be as warm as possible, which means you should breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Inhalation and exhalation should be smooth. It is especially important to inhale slowly and smoothly, allowing the air to warm up sufficiently.

If the frost intensifies, your nasal sinuses will constrict, and you will be forced to breathe through your mouth. This is not a problem; there is a special trick. Slightly part your lips and breathe through a narrow gap. It is even better to purse your lips into a tube and raise your tongue to the palate. This way of breathing is both easier and safer.

In any case, try not to take deep breaths and do not breathe against the wind (this increases the inhalation speed beyond your control). If you are walking and the wind is blowing in your face, bend down lower and breathe towards the ground.

However, do not wrap your mouth and nose with a scarf. The exhaled breath will quickly turn into ice in the fabric. Then, the air you inhale through the formed ice will become even colder.

Be sure to dress warmly, especially around the chest and neck. Your respiratory tract can cool down from the outside (e.g., through an unbuttoned collar or a loosely fitting scarf), in which case, no matter how you breathe, a cold is inevitable.

What Not to Do

Now, let's focus on the most common mistakes. At first glance, they may seem minor, but they can ultimately lead to unpleasant consequences. So, what should be strictly avoided when the air temperature drops below 10 degrees Celsius?

1. Using nasal drops immediately before going outside.

In this case, the blood vessels are subjected to real stress. First, they constrict under the influence of the drops, and then under the influence of the frost. As a result, the mucous membrane simply will not have time to warm the inhaled air. Therefore, if you need to clear your nose, it is better to simply rinse it with water at least 10 minutes before going outside.

2. Staying outdoors after feeling a severe chill.

As soon as you feel cold, it is best to go indoors immediately: a shop, a cafe, the nearest entrance. Rest there, warm up, and then continue. This way, hypothermia will not threaten you.

3. Warming up with alcohol.

The warming effect will only be felt for the first 30 minutes. Then the body will begin to cool down rapidly, and the brain may react inadequately to what is happening. For example, it may not signal that you are freezing – and you risk frostbite.

4. Applying cream before leaving home.

Any cream, even a protective one, contains water (and a moisturising one is 70–80% water). This water, along with nourishing and moisturising substances, gets onto the skin. For the liquid to evaporate from the body surface, at least 35–40 minutes are required. If you go outside earlier, you will provoke, at best, hypothermia, and at worst, frostbite of the skin.

5. Wearing tight-fitting clothes and shoes.

Such an outfit guarantees rapid freezing. It is better to choose looser clothes and shoes and dress in layers (vest – T-shirt – sweatshirt – jumper). This way, an air layer will retain heat for a long time.

6. Drinking hot beverages outdoors.

Hot drinks increase blood circulation and boost the body's defences. However, they also dilate blood vessels. This means that as soon as you go out into the cold, you will lose a lot of your own body heat. If you really want to drink, it is best to limit yourself to water or any warm (but not hot) beverage. You can drink hot tea no later than 30 minutes before going outside.

7. Leaving home hungry.

Our body simply needs energy to produce heat. Without it, we will freeze. Food provides the body with energy. Therefore, as soon as you feel hungry, be sure to eat. The best source of energy is fat or high-protein food (e.g., meat).

8. Going outside with a wet head.

Of course, your hairstyle should always be in order. However, if you haven't managed to dry your hair and rush outside with damp strands, only a miracle will help you avoid getting sick. By the way, hairdressers recommend that after drying hair with hot air, you should always dry your head again with a stream of cold air. This will constrict blood vessels and reduce heat loss.