10 Best Ways to Keep Warm This Winter
It’s been about 13 years since I’ve experienced snow days and puddles in my boots, but if you’re from the cold, you’ll never really forget the cold. It’s something that just stays with you. We’ve been experiencing an ice age of sorts these last few weeks, but luckily the temperatures seem to be rising. Hoorah!
It’s still only 18 degrees in some places, though, which isn’t exactly tank top weather. For everyone experiencing mega chills, here are some pro-tips to heat things up:
1. Drink.
And no, I don’t mean alcohol (although that will do just fine). Hot chocolate and tea is always nice, but if you want to really kick your drink game up a notch, try this recipe for Sbiten. It’s a spicy, honey-based Russian drink. According to my mom, it keeps colds (and the devil) away, too. Bonus: you can easily spike Sbiten with some red wine. Yum.
2. Truly winter-up your wardrobe.
Purchase some top-notch jackets and fleece sweaters, sweat pants, leg warmers and socks. Even with the heat on, it can still be cold inside the house, so invest in some warm clothes. This North Face fleece jacket is SUPER warm, comfy and cute. Layers always seem to work better than just one heavy coat, so get some cute thermals from Target. As for socks, I would choose wool. Cotton absorbs moisture and heat, leaving your feet cold, which is the worst. These patterned socks are ridiculously cute and festive.
3. Order in some Thai food.
Don’t feel like leaving your house to brave the Icelandic winds? Yeah, I don’t blame you. But since you gotta eat somehow, ordering in might be the most convenient way to go, and one of the best ways to work up a sweat is to eat some old-fashioned spicy food. Curry and coconut soup are some of my favorites, but you can get Indian or Mexican food, too. If you want to save a couple bucks, just buy some red pepper flakes or a bottle of hot sauce and add that to whatever you’re eating!
4. Practice your dance moves.
Just because it’s winter and negative a million outside doesn’t mean you should bundle up on the couch and stay there for eternity. Make yourself a playlist and dance the cold away! YouTube old Britney videos and try to memorize the “Oops I Did it Again” dance. You can have fun, exercise AND stay warm.
5. Seal your windows.
If you’re using the heater, you don’t want precious heat to escape. Here are helpful DIY instructions on how to effectively seal all of your windows. If you don’t have time, you can always use bubble or plastic wrap; just layer it on top of your windows, making sure that the cracks are covered.
6. Do some baking.
Winter is the best time to whip out all those Pinterest recipes you’ve been eyeing all year. Not only does the oven keep you toasty, but a slice of hot pie will also do the trick. Win-win?
7. Invest in some quality boots.
I know if my feet are cold, then the rest of me is freezing. If you leave your house, make sure you’re wearing boots that are made from good material. L.L. Bean has some durable hunting boots that are not only warm, but go with everything.
8. Wear a hat. Always.
In sixth grade camp we learned that all the heat escapes from your head and if you don’t wear a hat in the winter, you can die. This is probably a little bit dramatic, but it’s still important to wear a hat. These beanies from Plush are really cute, come in a lot of colors, and keep your head warm, even if you just took a shower.
9. Choose really crowded bars.
I refuse to go to most bars downtown because they’re sweatier than my gym and super crowded, but you can use these characteristics to your advantage in the winter. I think bars are the warmest buildings because they’re usually in such small spots, and there are so many people with crazy energy, that you end up totally absorbing it, too.
10. Cuddle up with someone cute.
That’s pretty self-explanatory, right?
