When the weather outside turns cold, staying cozy indoors is enticing. But that does not mean you cannot still have outdoor fun in the chilly winter temperatures. With the right insulating winter gear and some adjustments to your routine, you can learn how to stay warm and comfortable even when it’s cold out.
Bundle Up Properly
The key to comfort in cold weather is dressing properly in breathable layers that trap heat close to your body. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer made of insulating thermal underwear that keeps skin dry. Avoid cotton thermal layers since the material holds sweat against your skin, causing discomfort.
Next, add a thick fleece or wool insulating middle layer to retain warmth close to your core without causing overheating. Top this with a fully waterproof yet breathable outer shell jacket that blocks icy winds and snow flurries while venting excess heat. Don’t forget to accessorize with wool blend snow socks, waterproof snow boots, thick insulated gloves, and a knit hat that covers your ears fully.
Keep Moving
When you’re properly bundled up in your winter gear, don’t stay cooped up inside when you travel to chilly destinations. Get outside and stay active. Exercise generates lasting internal body heat while increasing blood circulation to the extremities, helping you stay toasty in the cold. Go for brisk walks to admire snowy park scenery, snowshoe on forested hiking trails, or give classic winter snow sports a try if visiting a mountain resort. Most resorts offer ski and snowboard rental right on the mountain along with lessons for all abilities and ages. The people at Canyon Sports say that staying physically active outdoors makes winter vacations fly by while creating lifelong memories.
Know When to Warm Up
While exercise and activity can keep you cozy outdoors for a while, it’s still crucial to come inside periodically to quickly warm your hands, feet and face. Start by ducking into a nearby coffee shop or café with cozy heat lamps and fireplaces on the patio where you can get temporary relief from the cold over a steaming mug of hot cocoa or spiced cider.
You can also head back to your mountain lodge hotel room or scenic vacation rental early to recharge by the fire and defrost. A relaxing soak in a steamy outdoor hot tub while surrounded by stunning snowy mountain peaks does wonders for cold fingers and toes. Just being out of icy breezes for a 30-minute break makes a significant difference in boosting your overall comfort level.
Eat and Hydrate Properly
What you put into your body also immensely affects how your internal heating system functions in cold environments. Stay hydrated in the dry winter air by frequently sipping warm drinks like herbal tea with lemon, hot apple cider, creamy hot chocolate, or ginger turmeric lattes throughout the day.
Additionally, be sure to eat enough healthy fats, complex carbs, and proteins during meals to fuel your body’s natural internal heating abilities. Hearty winter comfort foods like venison chili, butternut squash soups, or cheesy baked potato dishes provide lasting warmth. Bringing pocket hand warmers and high calorie protein-packed snacks like mixed nuts, beef jerky sticks and granola bars ensures you stay energized and revitalized while out having snowy adventures.
Conclusion
Instead of hibernating at home every time the temperature drops near or below freezing, use these practical preparation tips to comfortably and confidently enjoy all a beautiful winter wonderland getaway destination has to offer. Dress properly in quality insulating layers, stay moderately active to generate core body heat, periodically warm up, and fuel up with the right nutrition indoors.
