Love it or hate it, winter is here. For those who just can't seem to get warm no matter what they do, this time of year holds particular challenges. Here are a few tips to make it through the cold weather alive and well.
1. Carry hot beverages
Tea or coffee has the double benefit of warming your hands and your insides, while also being delicious. I recommend investing in a good thermos so you can bring along your own hot beverage of choice and refill at hot water stations to avoid breaking the bank at Starbucks.
2. Plan for the mornings
Winter mornings are cold, dark, and just plain unappealing. It can be a real struggle for anyone to drag themselves out of bed this time of year, so make things easy on yourself. Put a robe by your bed so you can throw that on right away. Get clothes picked out ahead of time so you don't lose body heat while standing in front of your closet in your nightclothes. Set your alarm early enough you will have time to take a nice hot shower and eat something.
3. Fuzzy socks and slippers are lifesavers
Extremities get cold easily, so protect those toesies! Break out the fun, fuzzy socks and slippers. The added heat for your feet really makes a difference.
4. Bring a change of clothes to the gym
Workout clothes are designed to allow air to flow and keep you cool. In addition, the sweat from your workout will end up making you damp and more susceptible to cold. Even if the gym is a short jog from your house, consider traveling to and from in a more season-appropriate outfit and then changing once you reach your destination.
5. Don't leave the house without checking the weather
Is it wet and rainy? Cold and dry? Snow? Ice? Weirdly warm? It can be hard to tell in the morning, so use a weather app or just stick your head outside before you settle on an outfit.
6. Heated blankets are great
It's a wonderful feeling to come in from the cold and snuggle under an already warm blanket. Try it.
7. Hand and foot warmers are also great
8. Cuddle
Use the winter weather as an excuse to snuggle up with a family member, special someone or friend. Why not?
9. Accessories
Gloves, hats, scarves, etc. are very helpful in warming areas of the body not normally covered by clothes. If you're worried about looking too bundled up, look for fashionable accessories that still get the job done. There's quite a variety, so shop around and find some pieces that fit your personal style.
10. Plan for easy-to-make hot food
Eating revs your metabolism, and eating warm food is even more effective. If you're pressed for time, consider easy options like microwavable soup, nachos, instant oatmeal or crockpot meals. If you happen to have more free time, put it to good use by preparing some quality winter meals. Eating well will also help ward off sickness in these cold months.
11. Exercise
Short bursts of exercise, particularly cardio, are very effective at raising the heart rate, stoking the metabolism and generating more heat. Consider spreading mini-workouts throughout the day. Simple exercises like jumping jacks will do the trick. Or, if you are stuck outside, say, waiting for the bus, pace back and forth or do a subtle exercise like calf raises. Just keep moving!
12. Know your limits
Everyone is different in their tolerance for cold. Pay attention to how your body reacts to the cold and how long it takes for warning signs such as shivering, or hands changing color to kick in. Once you know what you can tolerate, it is just a matter of standing up for yourself. It's OK if you have to be the first one in from the snow or that one weirdly bundled up person. Learn how your body works and adjust accordingly.
