Today’s post is going to be (relatively) short because I’m hoping you will do most of the work for me.
My number one problem with winter is being cold. After I read How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz, I decided I want to better prepare myself for the inevitable (I WILL be cold) and approach winter a little more strategically, both practically and mentally. (Overall, low mood isn’t what I struggle with in the winter months. For the most part, I’m not bothered by the lack of daylight; it’s the cold. I LIVE cold in the winter. And it really is exhausting.)
I hate getting into a cold car. I hate having cold hands. I really hate having cold feet.
And since I seem to battle cold hands and feet more than the average person, winter basically feels like a months-long war with my body temperature.
Our house is fairly warm, so this isn’t simply an issue of cranking up the thermostat. (Also, other people in our household aren’t usually cold when I am; for the most part, John and the kids feel quite comfortable temperature-wise.)
So! I want all your best suggestions for making life COZY this winter.
Here’s what I already have:
- Magic Bags. I love them and tend to take two to bed with me at night. Especially if John’s away because, when he’s home, I am sometimes that mean wife who puts her ice-cold feet directly on his body to warm them up.
- A heated foot mat. I use this when I’m working in our basement at my desk and it is delightful. I also have a space heater I turn on when I’m in our office.
- A heated vest. I admittedly haven’t been very good about wearing this regularly (mostly because I find remembering to charge things such a hassle), but I intend to change that this winter.
- Heated socks. Mine are getting old, they’re bulky, and they recently started feeling too hot, which was a bit alarming since there are wires and MY SKIN involved. I think it’s time for an upgrade.
And that brings me to my NUMBER ONE priority:
COLD FEET
I must find warm slippers.
I typically wear Crocs around the house, which works well for most of the year, but not so much in the middle of winter.
I’m willing to invest in a good pair of slippers if they’ll last for years and—most importantly—actually keep my feet warm.
What are the warmest slippers you’ve ever owned?
Also: heated socks? Wool socks (I have a few pairs of Darn Tough merino wool socks and another set of wool Kombi socks and I will say they don’t seem to keep my feet much warmer than normal cotton socks)? Is there some magical combination I’m missing?
COLD HANDS
This is probably priority number two.
I’d love some sort of reusable hand warmer, but I haven’t found the perfect solution yet.
I’ve tried the ones you “reset” by boiling them in water and, while they technically worked, I found the whole process impractical.
I also don’t like the environmental impact of the disposable hand warmers you shake and throw away. I do buy a few for the coldest days at the ski hill because sometimes needs must, but I don’t want to use them regularly.
Rechargeable hand warmers seem like the obvious answer… except I hate recharging things. YES, I am that lazy! And, maybe in the long run the batteries are more environmentally damaging than using disposable hand warmers?).
If you have reusable hand warmers that you absolutely love, please share all the details.
MORE GENERALLY… HOW DO YOU STAY COZY DURING THE WINTER?
I want all your ideas. Realizing that some of you experience very different “winters” than I do in Canada.
And because staying cozy isn’t only about temperature, why don’t you give me your cozy book recommendations, too! I already have a growing list, but am open to adding more!
(I tend to prefer nonfiction, but I’m open to anything that feels particularly comforting or wintry.)
Thanks in advance.
Now… help!!!!!
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1. There are crocs liners (like the fleece in uggs). 2. I had a coworker who wore gloves without fingertips all winter (in information technology, so always needing her fingers on the keyboard). 3. My dad’s top suggestion is to keep your head and torso warm, to keep your body warm. (It helps, but I also need the lower half of my torso warm—a vest doesn’t cut it! If I had a super long vest like yours, it might!) 4. I love wool socks and cotton socks, but when I need my feet warm, I wear the acrylic kind that I typically avoid because they make my feet sweat! Gross but effective—two pairs at a time. 5. I also often sit on my feet in the chair, toes pointed back (like kneeling.) 6. Footed pajamas (in adult sizes—I’m tall so they’re hard to find). 7. Thermal underwear! 8. Lap blankets!
Basically, just be ok with looking ridiculous and wear the things that keep you warm outdoors, indoors! don’t worry about looking silly. Toques and ski pants in your house? It’s your house!
Glerups!! Not cheap slippers but life changing. Keep your feet warm but not sweaty. Crossing my fingers a magical pair may be at your local thrift store but honestly can’t imagine anyone ever giving up a pair- they are amazing!
I wear a scarf to keep my neck warm- I’m wearing one right now in the chill of the morning. I sometimes wear a second around my shoulders. Keeping my neck warm helps me better than wearing a hat.
I also wear a jacket or sweater or two – even at work. My office is cold year round. I also have extra blankets and scarves there to layer.
I like Dearfoam slippers- soft, warm, and they have a sole that can go outdoors- like when I run outside to pick up a kid from school. I also have a knitted pair of slippers socks, but I tend to wear those through quickly. My husband had a great pair of clean quilted slippers- those were so warm. Minnetonka has some nice moccasins that my kids liked and seemed to keep them warm.
Lots of tea, making sure you move and exercise to up your metabolism. The cold hands are harder- I’m buying my daughter with cold hands some of the rechargeable hand warmers for Christmas. I bake and hold my hands over the warm oven on very cold days -only a short term solution.
Hi, Elisabeth. Wicked Good slippers from L.L. Bean are pretty warm, in my opinion. They come in a moccasin style and last forever.
Ugg slippers.Seriously. Also fingerless gloves. I have re chargable hand warmers for running, and they’re fine. Ben wears a heated vest all the time and keeps a back up battery on a charger. Decaf tea so you can always have a hot mug to grip. Can you get remote start on your car? I love getting into a pre-warmed car, and mine has an automatic shut off so it’s not so wasteful. Also! HEATED STEERING WHEEL is the best winter accessory.