Siberians give us their top tips for surviving winter as mercury in UK falls to -10C – colder than Russia
Snow fell in some parts of the UK last night as temperatures plunged
James Clothier
ARCTIC winds sweeping the country mean today some of us woke to -10c temperatures – which is colder than Russia.
But in the frozen wastes of Siberia, where winters average -30C, our bitter blast seems positively balmy.
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The cold weather saw snowfall in many parts of ScotlandCredit: Alamy Live News
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Someone who knows about such winter chills is Anna Liesowska, of The Siberian Times.
She reckons the key to surviving any cold snap is to not let it get you down.
She has more practical tips too, and here she shares the best of them them with JAMES CLOTHIER.
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Anna Liesowska of the Siberian Times gives her cold weather tipsCredit: The Siberian Times
Chew the fat
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Forget bacon and eggs, we eat raw lard, either smoked or salted, for breakfast. Never go out hungry.Credit: Alamy
Take stock
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Men, don’t be afraid to borrow your wife’s tights. Women, you can wear lingerie, just put a good ski suit on top. And no, we don’t wear fur knickers.Credit: Getty - Contributor
Rein it in
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Sorry Rudolph, reindeer meat is a favourite to help warm us up. Raw fish rich in fatty acids does the trick, too.Credit: Alamy
Keep it cool, kids
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Even at -15C, kids go out and pour cold water over their heads to build stamina and flu immunity. Also great for stress.Credit: Vera Salnitskaya/The Siberian Times
Layer up
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Wear LOTS of layers. Mittens are better than gloves and wrap your feet in newspaper before putting your boots on.Credit: Alamy
Make a cuppa
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Does Russian vodka warm you up? No – it’s a myth. Avoid alcohol and drink hot herbal teas with honey instead.Credit: Getty - Contributor
Get steamy
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Have a steam sauna, or banya, and take some leafy birch twigs in with you. You and your partner can then take turns to whip each other to stimulate blood circulation. Another trick is to smear yourself with honey – or goose or badger fat – while you’re in it. Men often dive naked into the snow afterwards, it boosts their potency.Credit: Alamy
Let it hang out
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Put washing out, as it will freeze-dry in minutes. Bring it in and it will rapidly dry in the warm air and feel extra fresh.Credit: Vera Salnitskaya/The Siberian Times
Get a-head
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In Siberia, a real fur hat and coat warm like nothing else, but a balaclava under a normal hat works pretty well, too.Credit: The Siberian Times
Here comes the brr-ide
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Some warm leggings and felt boots, or valenki, under a dress can keep a bride warm on her big day.Credit: Vera Salnitskaya/The Siberian Times
