Folks, the winter season is finally upon us.
With its icy streets, bone-chilling Lake Champlain wind chill and general lack of sunshine, winter is a hallmark of Vermont life.
So, here are a few tips to survive and thrive this winter.
Be cool and stay warm
This kind of goes without saying. Adequate gear is essential to make it through Vermont winter. Also: layer, layer, layer. I can’t emphasize this enough. No one likes chilly nips and fingertips.
Here’s a few items that I swear by:
Mittens. They are way warmer than gloves and come in all sorts of varieties: fleece lined, waterproof and some even convert to gloves.
Darn Tough socks are by far the superior sock choice that combines warmth and fun patterns perfectly. Made in VT for VT—can’t get much better than that.
Yeti Tumbler. I consume two to four cups of tea every day during the winter. If I had it my way I’d have a constant IV drip of herbal tea. Yeti excels in the hot beverage game. Note: if you’re an iced coffee fiend no matter how cold it gets, Yeti is also the superior choice.
A good winter parka. There’s a winter parka for everyone—please find yours and keep yourself warm and dry. My personal fave is the REI store brand. I’ve got a thigh-length jacket that is endlessly warm even after years of wear. Other honorable mentions are Columbia, Patagonia and, of course, L.L. Bean.
Steer away from sandpaper hands
Maintaining baby-smooth skin is hard work but not impossible. The wind and bitter cold sap all the moisture right out of the skin. It is imperative to have a diligent re-hydrating routine.
Body lotions and oils, face creams, lip balm galore and a good ‘ole tub of Aquaphor or Vaseline are consistent and dependable when it comes to fighting scaly, peeling skin.
Make people envy your soft hands and slather on all the lip balms. Unpopular opinion: ChapStick and Burt’s Bees don’t have that certain moisture factor so avoid those. Plugging my life-blood: Weleda Skin Food.
Take your D
I like to think that every time I take my vitamin D, I’m performing an act of self-care.
When we bundle up to stay warm we cover most of our skin surface, meaning that there is not enough skin exposed to sunlight for adequate vitamin D synthesis, according to an Aug. 3, 2020 National Health Services UK article.
Vitamin D has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect on certain hormones—including dopamine—and aids in the synthesis of serotonin, according to a Sept. 13, 2022 study from the National Institute of Health.
So, take your D: all the little things add up to supporting mental health this winter season.
There’s misery in monotony: spice up your life
It’s easy to get stuck in the school and slug cycle. Developing a hobby is a good way to counter the dreariness that often comes with winter.
The most obvious ones are skiing, snowboarding or another winter sport that embraces the winter weather and provides some time outside.
If this isn’t your thing, there are countless other options.
Take on a creative or crafty outlet like crochet, coloring or drawing. Become a bullet journaling master. Propagate plants—the environment of the space you inhabit can radically impact your mood.
Get interested in movies and television, have a watch party or a weekly TV night with friends. Try new recipes or hot beverages at Burlington’s many coffee shops.
Go crazy and pick up a more obscure hobby. Start whittling anime characters or geocaching. Make soaps or candles and then give some to me—I’m always accepting test scents. The wintery world is your oyster.
Invest in yourself by investing in a project or activity.
Chalk in the fun
Honestly, the primary thing that gets me through the winter is consistently having something to look forward to.
These things can be big, like a concert, but can also be small. I like to sprinkle in bits of simple and wholesome fun every day if possible.
Have a game night with friends. Try out a new restaurant. Have themed potluck dinners, like an indoor picnic. Some of my favorites are phoning a friend or family member from home, taking time at the end of each day to delve into my latest novel and scheduling mini-adventures with friends.
This winter, stay cozy and connected to yourself and others. I wish for lots of snow: it’s a little reward for the frigid weather. Winter is harsh, so treat yourself with kindness and do the little things that boost your mood through these gray months.
The Vermont Cynic accepts letters in response to published material, as well as any issues of interest in the community. Please limit letters to 350 words. The Cynic reserves the right to edit letters for length and grammar. Please send letters to [email protected].
