Amid dense fog, zero visibility conditions, let’s find out if this everyday item can help beat the winter chill, avoid shivering

Dr Karuna Malhotra, cosmetologist and aesthetic physician, Cosmetic Skin and Homeo Clinic, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi, agreed and shared that keeping a newspaper inside the jacket can help you stay warm and avoid shivering in extremely chilly weather. “This technique works based on the principle of insulation. Newspaper, particularly thicker and denser types, traps air within its fibers, creating a barrier that reduces heat loss from your body. It acts similarly to layering clothing by adding insulation between you and the cold environment,” said Dr Malhotra.

Notably, the air is a poor conductor of heat, minimising the transfer of heat from your body to your surroundings.

Best practices when using a newspaper

Material: Thick, dense newspapers or those with glossy inserts provide better insulation because they trap more air.

Placement: Place the paper between your inner layers and outer jacket, focusing on areas that lose heat quickly, like the chest and back, said Dr Malhotra.

Crinkling: Dr Malhotra advised slightly crinkling the paper before placing it inside the jacket as it enhances its insulating properties by increasing trapped air pockets.

And what about the newspaper’s crumpling sound?

“Take a thick newspaper..single paper nahi (not a single paper),” she suggested, adding: “You have to wear it outdoors, and it is tightened with a jacket outside so (noise) won’t come as such.”

What to note?

While it might offer a temporary solution in a pinch, relying on newspaper is neither practical nor effective for staying warm during winter, stressed Dr Narender Singla, lead consultant, internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

“Newspaper can provide some insulation by trapping warm air close to the body, offering minimal warmth for a short time. Additionally, it might act as a makeshift windbreaker, blocking cold winds from penetrating the jacket. However, newspaper is not a significant insulator compared to materials like down, wool, or synthetic insulation,” said Dr Singla.

Additionally, it might act as a makeshift windbreaker, blocking cold winds from penetrating the jacket.

Here’s a newspaper hack you can try (Source: Freepik)

Experts also suggest that its use can be uncomfortable, as it may shift or bunch up inside the jacket.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Deepti Kapoor (@mommywithatwist)

“For prolonged exposure, it is advisable to combine newspapers with proper winter clothing for maximum protection,” said Dr Malhotra.

Would you try?

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.