We were walking the chilly city with a bottle of wine as we made our way to enjoy a night of Friendsgiving. My friend Claudia looked at me and said, “Stop!” It took me a moment to realize what she was referring to. I immediately took a breath and let go. Earlier that week we discussed how we often romanticize the idea of feeling cold and concluded, just like all things, it’s merely a mental game. Feeling cold? Well, it’s all in your head. If you remember this, you'll beat the freeze.

Picture the way you shiver back to your parking spot from a night out. It's an uncomfortable moment as your shoulders creep toward your ears while your teeth chatter. This is your body’s immediate response to facing the cold. It’s a mindless and almost zombified response. Take a stab at recognizing these primal reactions, let them go, and respond to the cold on your own terms.

Realize where your mind is at

I didn’t notice I was shivering on our walk until Claudia pointed out. You feel cold because you promote it. You invite this feeling in with your mind and don't even realize it. When you’re in the heart of a cold night it might be hard to catch your reaction to the weather. It might help if you mentally prepare as you head out the door. Remind yourself that your body will react, but it is your mind that has the power to respond.

Relax your muscles

Shivering promotes temporary body heat by engaging our muscles. This is an instant physiological response. Once you notice this, stop and relax your muscles. You’ll instantly feel better. You’ll even notice that it’s not as cold as you might have believed it to be.

Breathe

We hold our breath in when we get cold. It’s part of the physiological response that makes us tense up such as having our shoulders to our ears and huddling over with our arms crossed. Holding your breath won’t solve the issue. This can also be viewed as a universal perspective when it comes to life. Breathe, release your shoulders, and go about your life. You’ll feel that much warmer.

Don't think about the temperature

Once you realize where your mind is at, relax, and breathe you’ll immediately forget about how cold it is. That feeling doesn’t come for free. You’ll find yourself enjoying your conversation as you walk, but as soon as you take it for granted the chills will come back. You don’t need to shiver in discomfort. Take your mind to the place it needs to be and continue to relax and breathe.

The world is a reflection of your own perception

Winter is a great metaphor for life in so many ways. Some say it is a period for rest and renewal to prepare for the rebirth of spring. I see it as a mental exercise. Sometimes winter appears in our lives when we least expect it. It’s up to us as to how we experience it.