From a postman to a vet, we asked people who work outside in all weathers for tips for getting through the coldest, darkest months of the year – from big pants to barrier cream
If winter in Britain is characterised by anything – other than train delays and novelty gourd-flavoured coffee – it is darkness. And cold. Oh yes, and rain. As autumn slides into winter, mist turns to drizzle and sunset is replaced by mid-afternoon gloom, it can be hard to prepare for the months ahead. What to wear, how to warm up, even how to summon up the energy to get through the season. We asked a range of people whose outdoor work – from scaffolding to veterinary medicine – makes them experts in winter survival for their tips.
The greatest hurdle to winter living is state of mind. To a greater or lesser extent, all of us will find our mood affected by changes in weather, reduced daylight and a drop in temperature. The secret, says Graham Singer, a scaffolder working across Essex and London, is to give yourself milestones. “I’ve been doing it since I was 15, so I know it’s coming,” he laughs. “Sometimes, you know as soon as you step out of the vehicle that everything’s going to be soaked in a few minutes, so you resign yourself to that fact. Just keep in mind that in a few hours, you’ll be back in the warm. Take it hour by hour – don’t think about the whole day, but just the next job. Tomorrow can’t be any worse.”
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