How to Survive Winter When It's Really, Really Cold Out

Another perk of winter?
Sweater season for the pup.
Photo by Mara Felton
http://mfelton.tumblr.com/

As a Wisconsin native, I'm used to winter. 

This year, however, it seems that winter has decided to show up early - and in its finest form.

Many people have a hard time during the winter months - it's dark, it's cold, it's hard to get outside to do the things we love, and often we start our workday before the sun comes up and end it long after the sun has left us for the evening.

This year, I've started a few new routines that have helped to bring a bit of warmth during the cold start to December. I'd love to hear from you, too - what are your favorite ways to stay warm during the long, cold winter months?

1. Simmer Something Wonderful on the Stove.
Warming tea, homemade broth, fragrant spices, or even warming up last night's leftovers all work great. Not only does this provide us with something hot and nourishing to eat or drink, but the delicious smell throughout the house warms up even the coldest of days.

Here are my two favorites:

Warming Tea:
A healthy pinch of the following, warmed on the stove with either almond milk or water, depending on what you're in the mood for:

Cardamom
Cinnamon
Black Pepper
Turmeric
Ginger
Cloves
Allspice
Honey (optional)

Homemade Broth:
Throw your leftover veggie remains in a pot on the stove, and just let them simmer. My favorites are: onions, carrots, celery, garlic, potatoes, and parsley - but anything goes. Use the broth for cooking in the evening, or throw it in the fridge or freezer to have on hand. Homemade broth in place of water makes almost any recipe taste better.

2. Brighten Up the Indoors.
In the absence of sunlight on the cold winter days, we're forced to create our own. Brighten up your living space with candles, cozy lamps, and calming holiday lights (Clark Griswold style decorations not required).

For candles, opt for soy or beeswax, which are renewable, free of toxins, and biodegradable. 

3. Find a Sunny Spot.
Search out the spot at home or at the office where the sun beams in during the afternoon, creating a mini tropical oasis. Make a point to visit that spot at least once per sunny day to warm up, savor the sunlight, and maybe even close your eyes for a moment and pretend you're in the tropics. 

4. Step Outside.
I know, this is a fairly horrifying recommendation when it's precisely one degree outside. But throwing on your largest, puffiest, most ridiculous winter jacket along with a hat and mittens and taking a walk around the block has a host of benefits. Studies have found that going outside leaves us ranking higher when it comes to vitality, enthusiasm, pleasure, and self-esteem and lower on tension, depression, and fatigue.

5. Find The Things You Love.
While creating a list of the things we hate about winter is much easier, creating a list of the things we love can be quite satisfying. To do so, get creative - and give yourself permission to include the 'little things' that you might not have ever noticed you actually like during the cold winter months. For me, the list includes giant piles of blankets, holiday scented candles, soups, 'baking season,' the way the sun streams into my office and onto my face each afternoon, and cozy evenings at home. 

What about you? What do you do to stay warm (and sane) during the cold winter months? 

Warmly :),
Sarah