Right now in Central New York we are experiencing the strange fall/turning to winter weather. It's jacket weather in the morning, kind of humid and sweaty in the afternoon, and jacket weather again at night. Here are 5 tips to beat the discomfort and possible sickness that comes with the strange mid-November CNY weather!

1. Cough Drops

Luden's are a LIFESAVER. They don't taste at all like cough drops, just delicious little candies that keep your throat from feeling dry and sandy!

2. Heated Blanket

The weather this time of year is sneaky. Warm during the day, but freezing at night. Having a heated blanket on hand has proved so useful (especially in dorm room winters!) for me. You feel fine and then suddenly the heat isn't kicking on and your normal comforter isn't enough! Heated blankets are very safe and decently affordable, and in my experience they keep you warm without getting overheated. (They have temperature options)

3. Coconut Oil

If the weather fluctuations cause your skin to dry out (or even break out!) coconut oil will be a lifesaver. It's in pretty much every grocery store, just look for "extra-virgin" and "unrefined." It works on your face (a good nighttime moisturizer) and on your hair as a deep conditioning mask. You can even use it as an all over moisturizer!

4. Dress in Layers

When it's freezing in the morning but boiling in the afternoon, it can really help to dress in layers. That way, you can undress and re-dress depending on the temperature fluctuations for the day. Scarves are really nice as well, especially when it suddenly starts to sprinkle with rain!

5. Consider Taking Vitamin D

Vitamin D is produced by our skin in response to exposure to sunlight. It affects energy and mood, which is why it's so important to have! When finals are coming up, and the weather is overcast and it's chilly so we're rarely exposed to sunlight, our bodies will produce much less vitamin D. Taking a vitamin D supplement everyday during the fall/winter months can help keep your energy levels up and reduce depressive symptoms that are associated with vitamin D deficiency! (It also reduces the affects of Seasonal Affective Disorder!)