I had forgotten over the past few months how bad it felt trying to play with icy cold stiff fingers. But now the (relative) cold seems to be back, and my fingers will be too cold to pick up a guitar for the next 6 months.
Any ideas on how to deal with the situation? I've always had that problem but it is getting worse, and just turning up the heating isn't going to work. It seems circulation in my hands and feet (not elsewhere, though
) just shuts down below a certain ambient temperature.
When I'm really committed I'll get the fingers warm after 30-45 minutes of playing but that's normally the total practice time I get and if know I'll be uncomfortable and ineffective all through practice I find it hard to get started at all.
Comments
I could be wrong, but as far as I'm aware your extremities start to get cold as your body reduces blood flow to them to keep your core at its optimum temperature.
So maybe you need to do some whole body warming up so that the blood is pumped out to your fingers and they heat up.
Whole body warm-up may be a thing to try, that sounds like going to the core (sorry ...) of the problem. Water-based methods are out because they'll weaken the fingertips too much I'm afraid.
Honestly try wearing thick long sweatbands, even underneath a sweater (especially if it is a loose fitting one). I find it works really well.
I don't find the hot water method works well, even if you keep your fingertips out of the water it is only a temporary solution and if the room is too cold you end up being cold again after a while. Better to do a full body warmup instead of the water then try to keep as much heat in while playing.
Get a thick pair of thermal socks too, or some boot style fluffy slippers (the ones that look like soft Ugg boots).
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