Warming up to the winter season
Your guide to surviving Winter Wonderland Maddy Ting Calling all Californians! My, my, how chilly it is outside. Are you one of those people who can’t stop shivering? Are your fingers so numb they feel like they’re about to freeze off? Maybe you’re catching a cold or have a chill down your spine? Then this guide is for you! Before we get into details, can we address the other coast? East Coast always says WE’RE the weak ones, but I say they’re wrong. Californians can totally beat them when it comes to summer. People come from all over the nation, no, from all over the world to enjoy our summers and sunny beaches. But alas, summer can seem so far away when you’re in the middle of the coldest time of the year. The nights grow longer and the days grow shorter as you pack away your beach clothes and pull out your fuzzy socks. “Will the chill ever go away?” you wonder, goosebumps rising on your skin as you shiver. If you’re like me, your thin Californian skin can’t take much more of the cold. Lucky for you, I’m here to help. You can thank me later. The first essential you need to survive winter is a good, sturdy mug. Mugs are useful for all sorts of things, like holding pencils or paintbrushes, but the one you’ll want to focus on is hot drinks. Need ideas? Hot chocolate on a cold day is a classic staple, from the steamy marshmallows to the whipped cream melting in your mouth. Or, you could go for tea or coffee, both of which are popular options. Plus, who doesn’t like caffeine every once in a while?
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Remember that old wives tale that says you lose most of the heat through your head? Turns out you lose heat depending on exposed surface area, so instead of shorts, opt for jeans or some comfy sweats. That being said, winter beanies are useful, and super cute too. They come in all sorts of colors and patterns, allowing them to match any outfit you might come up with. Plus, they hide hat hair pretty well. Goodbye bad hair days, hello fashion model. Other cool (get it?) winter items include scarves and gloves. Snag a pair of fluffy pajama pants to wear to sleep, around the house, or even school if you’re feeling fancy. Bonus points if you get a pair of sweet, sweet Carlmont Scots flannel pajama pants from the Student Store. Speaking of clothing, I have one word for you when it comes to keeping out the cold: layers. This is a given, but adding heavier jackets on top of lighter shirts helps keep warmth close to your body. Apply layers to your blankets as well as your daily outfits. It’s time to bring out your thick comforters and put away the thin sheets you had for the summer heat. For additional comfort, put the fluffy blankets closest to your body, and you’ll be snoozing peacefully in no time. Introducing everyone’s one true love: fuzzy socks. Sheltering bare feet from the freezing floor is easily accomplished with a good pair of fluffy socks. They’re pretty cheap and make great gifts, too. Next time you go to Target, snag some pairs for your friends and family. “Okay, Maddy,” you say. “This is great and all, but what if I don’t want to go out and buy new things for winter?” Don’t worry, I’ve got some great activities for you.
Taking a hot shower or bath is a relaxing way to end one’s day. But remember to keep them short and sweet. Although California isn’t officially in a drought, it’s always better to conserve water. On the topic of doing good for the environment, open up your curtains during the day. Even if there’s limited daytime, any natural sunlight will help warm up your house. At night, make sure you have heavy drapes to preserve existing warmth. Have you ever heard the saying, “heat rises?” Cold air settles near the ground while warm air gets pushed up, up, and away. As you can imagine, this might prove a problem during winter, but have no fear. Turning on a ceiling fan to clockwise at a low setting can help reverse this effect and push warm air to where you can enjoy the heat. Want an activity that you can enjoy with others? Try baking when the chill really gets to you. Using an oven heats up the whole house, and you get yummy treats to enjoy with your friends and family. The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies...mmm, makes me hungry just thinking about it. Or how about exercising? Whether it’s visiting the gym or walking the dog, getting up and about is both healthy and good for warming up in the winter. But hopefully you already knew that. Congratulations, you are now a master of the Winter Wonderland! Laugh in the face of bitter cold from the comfort of your own home. Brag to your friends about all the ways you’ve learned to conquer the chilliest time of the year, and don’t forget to spread the warmth around the end of this winter season.
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