How To Handle Cold Winters

How To Handle Cold Winters

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The temperatures may not have plummeted yet, but summer is almost over for many people. So, while everyone is looking forward to Thanksgiving and Halloween, it’s worth thinking about how you will get through the coldest, darkest months of the year. If you’re someone who’s never really liked the cold, you might be planning to stay cooped up inside. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s still worth knowing how to handle the winter if you need to leave the house. 

Spend More Time Outside 

It sounds counterproductive to spend more time outside when it’s cold, but this is the best way for you to acclimate to the dropping temperatures. If you spend all summer in a tropical climate, you’re going to take time to adjust to a new average temperature. The same goes for inching into winter. All is not entirely lost, though, because you can buy gear and clothes to protect yourself from harsher temperatures, such as winter jackets and womens gloves to keep warm. Spend an hour or so outside each day, and you’ll find it much easier to cope with the cold. 

Layers! 

Likewise, whether you’re dealing with snowy and windy Canadian weather or the wet and often depressing winters famous in the UK, layers are always your friend. Wearing multiple layers instead of one thick jacket benefits you because each layer traps heat, meaning you’ll stay warm for longer. Don’t worry about being too hot, either, because it’s always easier to remove layers than it is to suffer through being too cold and paying extortionate prices for a scarf. 

Be More Active 

Exercise helps you warm up naturally, so being more active is an excellent way to handle the dropping temperatures. Of course, you may not be able to go for your daily 5K (at least not without proper equipment), but you can check out winter workout ideas for inspiration about how to stay active during the colder months. An hour-long workout every day will keep you warm and you’ll have no trouble handling the cold, whether inside or outside. 

Eat and Indulge 

Winter time is always the time to indulge, especially around Christmas and New Year. but, besides the festive occasion going hand in hand with stuffing your face, eating plenty of food will help you activate your metabolism to keep you warm. However, you need to pick the right foods. Alcohol can cause the opposite effect (despite feeling warmer as you drink), whereas carbs and other energy-packed foods are perfect for ensuring you stay warm, and who are you to say no to a hearty meal? 

Turn Down the Thermostat Early 

People who enjoy warm summers and cold winters will tell you it’s all about preparation. You can buy all the warm clothes you want and stock up on firewood, but these won’t help if you’re not ready to handle colder temperatures. Try turning your thermostat down a few notches every week so that you’re more comfortable in a colder climate. Of course, this won’t be anything like what you will experience when the temperatures drop below zero, but it can make it a little easier to handle the temperatures outside. You will also get a huge benefit when you crank up the thermostat on those freezing days when you don’t want to get out of bed. 

A Cold Shower 

Cold showers are an excellent solution for handling cold weather, but like getting outside, it seems counterintuitive. The science behind is that a cold shower convinces your body to retain warmth, going into survival mode so you don’t freeze to death. This process increases your body temperature so you feel warmer. You don’t need to take a completely cold shower. Instead, turn the temperature down a minute or two before getting out. If nothing else, it will wake you up. 

Respect the Weather 

Coping with cold winters is not just about being warm. You also need to ensure you’re safe. If you drive to work, it’s worth knowing these common mistakes driving in snow that could affect you. Even walking can be hazardous if you aren’t careful on the sidewalk. Don’t assume that you can beat the weather because you won’t. Instead, just respect it (even if that means staying inside), and you’ll be all right until spring arrives. 

Brrrrrr 

Although some people love the vibes that winter brings, most would still prefer it to be hot. And if not hot then at least warm. That’s not how the world works, though, and these tips can help everyone handle winter like they’ve spent their entire life in a snowstorm.

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