Eat Well, Live Well - Add warmth to your life

Feeling the cold? Our top tips for warming up your life will keep you cosy inside and out!

Brighten up your home
Few of us feel like braving the cold and the darkness in the evening, so chances are you'll be spending a lot of time on your sofa. And it's easy to make sure that the winter chill stays outside. Start by identifying cold spots in your home, such as drafty windows, dark corners or hallways, and working out how to warm them up. Leather sofas can feel chilly in winter, so liven them up with soft throws in deep winter colours like cranberry or plum. Scatter cushions around, in inviting textures like velvet or plush. Draft excluders make a huge difference and will save you pounds in heating costs, too. And invest in cheap, cheerful and colourful fabric wall hangings to warm up a cold wall and add a little exoticism to your home.

Spice up your food
There's a reason why so much Christmas cooking involves spices like ginger, saffron, cinnamon and nutmeg - they have a warming effect on our bodies which salad just doesn't achieve. So embrace winter's cuisine with hot curries using seasonal vegetables like cauliflower and sweet potatoes. Add a pinch of nutmeg to porridge in the morning - grate it fresh for extra zing - and try cinnamon in your hot chocolate or cocoa. And switch your traditional cuppa for a herbal version - ginger tea is a winter favourite.

Cheer up your wardrobe
Wearing bright, cheerful colours can actually affect your mood. For example, we associate red with warmth and passion and bright sunshine yellow with happiness and hope. So if you're feeling chilly, try livening up your outfits. If bright pink coats and neon yellow shoes aren't quite your style, don't worry - there's plenty of ways to add colour to your outfit without looking like you've just walked offstage in your local panto. Instead, use cheap accessories like hats, scarves and gloves to cheer up your day to day wardrobe.

Be warm on the inside
Ever wondered why you crave carbs in winter? Simple - you burn more calories when it's cold. So listen to what your body is telling you and make sure you get plenty of slow-release carbohydrates before you leave the house on those cold mornings. Soup is the perfect lunch to keep you warm in the winter months; try with RYVITA® Crispbread, which is great for dipping or making croutons.

Light up your life
As sufferers of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) know, the lack of light in winter makes a huge difference to your mood. More light in your home will not only give you a boost, it'll make your space feel warming and more welcoming without breaking the bank. Extra lighting doesn't have to break the bank either - it might be just one