With snow comes frigid, miserable temperatures – the kind of temperatures making your nose run and your eyes water. What should you do for the next what seems like a million months to keep yourself safe from hypothermia?
Okay, that might be a big overdramatic, but I’m going to give you some tips on keeping warm anyway.
1. Keep your feet dry
DON’T WEAR: Chucks. Sure, your Chucks are the most versatile shoe ever and are stylish all year round. But wearing them in the snow is probably the worst time to ever wear them. They really are always comfortable … when they’re dry. When they’re soaked in just above-freezing, used-to-be-snow water, you’ll regret turning your toes into little icicles.
DO WEAR: Ugg Boots. Ugg Boots are like wrapping your feet and ankles in little heated blankets. They aren’t the most attractive kind of shoe, but they’re stylish nonetheless purely for comfort. Just don’t wear them with sweatpants. There’s nothing sloppier than having sweatpants hanging out of Ugg boots, getting covered in dirty slush.
2. Keep your head covered
DON’T WEAR: Hoods. With the first gust of wind, they’ll be flying off of your head, exposing your ears to the harsh air. You’ll put it back on, and then the wind will blow again, blowing it off again. Not to mention the fact jacket hoods aren’t secured tightly against your head anyway, allowing air in.
DO WEAR: Hats and headbands. Hats are the most practical way of keeping your head warm, but a girl might not want to give herself hat hair before her first class of the day. Headbands and earmuffs are a fantastic alternative. They keep your ears from freezing and turning bright red while still keeping your hair neat.
3. Cover your hands
Gloves are the most essential part of winter attire, because having dry, cracked hands is painful. The best kinds are convertible glove mittens. As mittens they keep your hands toasty, and as gloves you can do just about anything, even use your touch-screen phone. Just keep them in the pockets of your coat so you always have them.
4. Dress in layers
A t-shirt, a hoodie or sweater, and a winter coat are great for the trek from your car to class. You can take layers off at your leisure and don’t have to sit around in bulky layers all day. But at least you’ll have them there if you need them.
5. Consume warm beverages
Hot coffee, hot chocolate, hot tea … All of these soothing drinks warm you up from the inside out, and they also keep your hands warm while holding the cup. Mix a little Bailey’s and Kahlua in your coffee as well for a little extra kick.
6. Cook or bake
Turning on your oven on automatically warms up the house – that’s why it’s so miserable to cook lasagna in the middle of the summer. Any kind of meal taking a long time in the oven is sure to warm your house a few degrees and you’ll have a great dinner to look forward to.
7. Keep blankets around your house
Sometimes if you’ve been sitting on the couch for a while, you’re not feeling up to getting up to get a blanket if you get cold. Keep one hanging on the back of your couch, or get a footrest that opens that you can keep blankets in. Keep extra ones on your bed too, in case you wake up cold in the middle of the night.
8. Take advantage of body heat
Snuggle. Whether it’s with your significant other, pet or little sibling being close to someone helps keep you warm. Snuggle up under a blanket and watch movies together. It’s soothing and comfy and will help you with the winter blues.
