A chance of snow flurries appeared in my ten day forecast for the first time yesterday. No surprise, really, since I do live in Syracuse, New York, famous for its snowy winters. Quite a few of my classmates who hail from warmer climates have expressed fear about our upcoming winter and though this will be my first Syracuse winter, I have more than enough experience to pass along a little advice. Plus I actually really like winter! So for a little change of pace on the blog, I present my top ten tips for surviving (perhaps even loving!) winter.
1. The darkness is the hardest part.
No really. Way harder than the cold. It’s helpful to be mentally prepared because after day light savings time ends next week, the days will feel excruciatingly long. There are advantages – cozy indoor evenings lend themselves to doing homework for one (I recommend rewarding yourself with hot chocolate spiked with Bailey’s). Having a project will also help – I do 85% of my yearly crocheting quota between Thanksgiving and January. For me, a small investment in yarn saves my sanity. Do a puzzle, try brewing beer, take up knitting – just some sort of long term project. Also, make sure you have good indoor lighting. The most important thing to do, however, is the next tip.
2. Go outside. Every. Single. Day.
No matter how cold it is, deliberately spend at least 15 minutes outside. In other words, the time spent rushing from your car to a heated building and back doesn’t count. Forcing yourself to get out is crucial – you’ll get acclimated to the cold temperatures, get fresh air/sunshine (however meager it may be) and you’ll go crazy otherwise.
3. Invest in good snow boots.
Cold, wet feet are a recipe for misery. If there is snow on the ground, wear the boots. Winter is not the time for fashionable footwear.
4. Two words: long underwear.
Okay, not the old fashioned long underwear you read about in Little House on the Prairie. Basically, wear a layer underneath your other clothes, especially under pants. Jeans alone will not keep you warm. Cords are better, but not by much. Wear leggings or tights (look for fleece lined versions). I personally love my “Cuddle Duds” sets – top and bottom that easily fit under most things, very soft and very warm. They also make these for men.
5. Car care.
If you have a car, make sure you have a good quality snow brush/scraper, an extra set of gloves, in your car at all times. Also good to have: extra wiper fluid, a blanket, nonperishable snacks, first aid kit, flashlight, flares, jumper cables. Keep your gas tank above 1/4 and make sure you wash the underside frequently (the salt on the roads is not kind to your vehicle). All-weather mats are also a good thing.
6. Find a winter hobby.
Outdoor or indoor. Skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowboarding – awesome snowy fun (and good exercise to boot). Or join a bowling league, take an art class or start game nights. Have something that you love to do, a special activity just in winter.
7. Dress for comfort first.
Warmth > Fashion. Not that you can’t be fashionable all winter (um hello, accessorizing opportunities galore with hats/scarves and cozy sweaters and cute leggings etc.) but get dressed with the weather in mind. For me, it’s around 5 degrees where I start to get really, really cold so that’s when I really need lots of layers. If it’s your first winter, you might have a different threshold.
8. Practice self-care.
People cooped up, touching all the same surfaces – it’s easy to get sick in the winter. Be proactive about your health – eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, wash your hands, take vitamins, get a flu shot. Make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked, you’ve got a couple boxes of tissues on hand and maybe stick some frozen chicken soup in the freezer (or a can in the pantry) so that when you inevitably get a cold or two, you’re prepared.
9. Invest in quality outerwear.
It is better to have one really good coat (water-proof, warm, hooded, zippered pockets etc) than 4 mediocre coats. Buy from brands built for cold-weather (think Columbia, Land’s End, L.L. Bean etc) – a random Old Navy purchase is not going to cut it. You’ll get what you pay for (check out thrift shops too – if something is well-made to start with, it’ll last – or outlet stores).
10. Cultivate a positive attitude.
I totally get it. Not everyone is going to love winter. But it’s a waste to spend 5-6 months complaining incessantly about something you cannot change. Find what it is that will keep you happy – cute footie pajamas, cozy blankets, mugs of hot chocolate, weekend snowboarding, twinkle lights, spinning class at the gym, or whatever works for you.
Cataloging Kyra 