How To Stay Warm This Winter: Tips by a True Wisconsinite

This week I realized winter weather has come to stay in the mid-west. I got cold walking to class in my winter coat and at one point in the day a friend remarked, “Can you feel your toes? Because I can’t”. When I got home, I started preparing all the things I will need this winter to stay warm in the unforgiving Wisconsin weather. Here is some of the advice I have for mid-westerners on how to survive the cold, from a true Wisconsinite.

When I was a kid, my parents used to send me out into the snow and negative temperatures in a full snow suit, boots, hat, gloves, and one, if not two, scarves. However, now I’m an adult and walking to class in snow pants to stay warm is not really an option. What is the next best thing? Long winter coats. The one I have is from Eddie Bauer, is fleece lined, and ends at my knees. I love how it keeps most of my body warm, not just above my waist, and some companies make coats that will go as far as your shins. I have yet to try one but I hear good things.

Another must have are mittens, and I mean real mittens, not gloves. The ones I have are yarn with wool on the inside. The reason I recommend mittens is because by having all of your fingers together in one section it retains heat. Gloves that separate all of your fingers may be nice if you plan on working with your hands, but are not ideal for warmth.

I like to refer to the winter as beanie season. I have more hats than I can count at this point, but my favorites are my Love Your Melon beanies. They are classic, cute, warm, and by purchasing one I am supporting pediatric cancer research and families impacted by cancer. I have three, but I think I might be treating myself to a fourth for Christmas this year! If you are interested in their cause, follow this link to learn more.

Now that you have all of your winter clothing set, you need to prepare your car. The two items I always keep in my car during the winter are blankets and hand warmers. I usually have at least two blankets in my car. These are great for bundling up when you’re cold and are essentials in case you get stranded somewhere by snow. I also keep a box of hand warmers in my car. You just have to open the packaging, shake the hand warmer and it starts to heat up. Putting them in pockets, gloves, shoes, or just holding on to them can make a big difference.

Last but certainly not least, I like to keep an electric blanket in my bedroom to keep me warm. Electric blankets are nice because you can control the heat setting for how cold you are. Sometimes regular blankets just aren’t warm enough!

I hope these tips help you survive the cold winter weather. After all, if being born and raised in Wisconsin taught me anything, it’s how to stay warm through subzero temperatures. Stay positive, stay warm, and remind yourself that as we say in Wisconsin, “It really wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the windchill”.