8 Must-Know Tips for Staying Warm this Winter

“It’s in our blood: the cold, the ice, the resilience; the ability to delight in a little bit of suffering.” – A caption I wrote for Instagram circa Winter 2018. But let’s be honest, it’s best if we don’t have to suffer!

It’s that time of year here in Minnesota when the days are short and nights long. When the wind bites, the whole world seems frozen solid, and we begin to wonder why we choose to live in a place where the air hurts our face.  

It’s no doubt the easiest time of year skimp out on fresh air, exercise, fun and self-care, and thus it’s easy to see a dip in our happiness if we’re not careful. So where are our people here in Minnesota? What are we doing? I’ll give you a hint and say we’re not cowering indoors waiting for spring. Nope. We’re out there. Wisely, braving it.  

As I write this, I’m sitting in the top-level workspace in my apartment building overlooking a frozen lake. Over top of my laptop, I can count at least a dozen walkers and runners, three groups of cross-country skiers, one ice fisherman, two dogs playing, one wind surfer, a fat-tire biker, and a girl flying a kite. Others in the area are no doubt show shoeing, playing pond hockey, sledding and winter camping. The other day I saw friends having a picnic – a picnic! – right there on the snow.  

If you follow my Instagram account, you’ve no doubt noticed a theme building over the last few months: the wonderful, fulfilling, magical, mental- and physical-health promoting enjoyment of winter. Because I’m a firm believer that the key to surviving winter is not bunkering down and hiding from it. It’s about getting out and embracing it. It’s something many northerners like myself do well, and I’m committed to helping others join in – especially those who may not inherently love the cold so much.  

So, while I’ve listed a few examples of “what” we can do to get out and enjoy the cold-weather months, the holdup often emerges from the “how.” Like: how on earth can I be expected to have fun out there if I can’t feel my fingers? Sound like something you might say? Please read on below. Not you? I still promise you’ll learn a thing or two that may up your ability to keep your joy this winter.

So OK, here are 8 tips to send you on your way to your next winter walk with friends, solo winter camp adventure, and everything in between.

First, to lay the groundwork of understanding how to stay warm, let’s first look at the ways humans actually lose heat:

1. Radiation: The normal process of your body releasing heat, especially from your skin.

2. Convection: The loss of body heat due to wind.

3. Conduction: The loss of heat through physical contact with something cold – like sitting on a cold chair or holding onto a cold object.

4. Evaporation: The loss of heat from liquid turning into gas – most notably through sweat or wet clothing.  

Hint: everything below will help you avoid these!

1. Stay Hydrated

I put this first because it’s quite possibly the most important aspect of keeping one’s warmth – and it’s so commonly overlooked! People often don’t feel the need to drink as much water in cold weather because they don’t notice how much they’re sweating and they may not feel as thirsty. But the body expends a great deal of energy to stay warm, which requires H20, and as such it becomes very easy to get dehydrated in the cold.

Dehydration is never good, and it inhibits the body’s natural ability to regulate heat. It is even a common factor in hypothermia. So, drink up!

I tend to opt for plain water or coconut water when I want some added electrolytes. Try to avoid drinks that are too icy cold when possible…for obvious reasons.  

2. Eat!

If you’re like me, you don’t need to be told this one twice. But like drinking fluids, there are many people who just forget, especially when doing something active. And like hydration, food intake is a huge factor in the game to stay warm. Our bodies expend energy to stay warm, so we actually need a higher caloric intake when outside in the cold. The act of metabolizing and digesting food also creates heat in the body, so you can truly start heating yourself from the inside out just by eating.

A couple of my favorite snacks to bring out with me in the winter are: apples & cheese (no refrigeration necessary), and a thermos of hot soup. Be aware that many snack and meal bars harden in the cold, becoming no fun at all to eat.

3. Move it, Move it.

When in doubt, get moving! It’s no secret that movement creates heat in the body. But for me, the importance of moving in the cold was never more apparent than one night on a backpacking trip in Alaska. The day my friends and I lovingly call “Hell Day” was an unexpected 10-mile hike with heavy packs, thick brush nearly impossible to push through, elevation gain, frigid rain, and the frequent need to turn completely around because our maps didn’t show all the new streams due to glacial melt.

When we finally arrived at a spot to camp, it was near midnight and everyone was exhausted and cold. After camp was built, myself and a few others started jogging in laps to warm up before making dinner. We didn’t realize that several individuals, out of exhaustion and cold, had gone into separate tents to lay down. When their absence was noticed, we looked to find each of the three were exhibiting signs of early hypothermia, while those of us who kept moving were doing fine.

We were able to tend to our friends and everything turned out fine, but it’s a night I think of regularly when trying to stay warm. Today, my first line of defense when getting cold is always jumping around, taking a quick jog, or throwing an impromptu dance party!

4. Layer Up.

You’ve heard about layering, and you probably already do it to some extent, but do you know why? First, layers trap heat because the air space between layers prevents radiation. But second, layers have an added bonus of preventing overheating.

Why is overheating bad, you might ask?  The answer is quite simple: sweat.

Have you ever bundled up in all your layers, hopped in a warm car, sweated your way to your destination, then immediately felt cold upon arrival? It’s because as soon as you step out into the cold, your body starts losing it heat through the evaporation of that sweat. Great in the summer; not so great in January. So always leave your heaviest layers off (including hat and footwear) until they are needed. Plus, if you’re getting too warm while outside, it’s beneficial to have the option to unzip, vent, or remove a layer before you overheat. I recommend a wind-proof top layer to prevent convection as well.

5. Protect the Noggin.

Many of us grew up knowing that humans lose 70 percent of our heat through the tops of our heads. Spoiler alert…most studies conclude this figure is actually exaggerated. But before you peel off that itchy winter hat, know that there’s a lot of truth behind that old adage.

We in fact do lose a great deal of heat through our heads. Hot air still does rise after all, and our heads and necks get a lot of blood flow. It’s easy to feel a distinct difference when wearing a good hat. On the coldest days, I always wear a hat plus an insulating layer with a hood to keep the wind off my neck and the sides of my face. As someone who recently got over a foot in length chopped from my hair, it’s been even more helpful this winter!

6. Cover your Face.

Um, it’s January, 2021. You probably don’t need me to tell you to cover your face. But did you know this simple act is hugely beneficial in keeping you warm? If you weren’t already aware, you’ve probably realized this year that even a simple face covering can really keep your cheeks and nose warm. I’ve been wearing a balaclava (a.k.a. a “Buff”) on my winter adventures for this purpose for years. But in addition to the obvious impact of keeping the cold from your precious face, a face covering serves an even greater purpose: helping to prevent the loss of heat from respiration.

We breathe out warm, moist air in the winter, and breathe in cold, dry air. This means we’re rapidly losing heat and water. A face covering can lessen this process and make a big positive impact.

7. Don’t Overdo it on your Hands and Feet.

“I’m wearing three pairs of socks and my toes are still frozen!”

How many times have you heard someone exclaim this? Maybe even you yourself have been in this unfortunate predicament. Well, I have some bad news, and I have some good news. The bad: You done did this to yourself. The good: there’s an easy fix!

A concept you must not forget: In the cold, circulation trumps insulation.

People have a tendency to layer on multiple pairs of socks and gloves, but while the insulation may seem like a good idea, even the smallest amount of constriction will start to prevent adequate blood flow to your extremities. And that, friends, is the kiss of death for keeping warm. So make sure to wear boots and gloves/mittens with a little bit of wiggle room. I recommend one pair of good wool socks and one pair of glove liners maximum.

If your hands or feet do get too cold, here are some tips to warming them back up:

1. Shake your feet and wiggle your toes.

2. Make a tight fist then spread your fingers wide repeatedly.  

3. Swing your arms in a circular motion like a propeller on a plane (this is my favorite way to increase blood flow to my hands, and you look super cool…).

4. In extreme circumstances, remove shoes and socks and place your feet on a friend’s belly inside their coat.

8. Enjoy a Hot Drink.

Yes, please! One of the easiest ways to add to your warmth is getting hot liquid right down inside your belly. It’s easy to see why it helps, and it’s always a good mood booster as well. I pretty much always bring a hot drink to winter fishing, bonfires and winter hikes, and enjoying it is always a highlight. So make your favorite hot drink at home, pour it into a thermos, and enjoy with friends.

Tip: If you’re out just casually with friends, you might enjoy tea, coffee, or even a hot toddy (click here for my recipes!). But know that caffeine and alcohol can have a moderate negative impact on warmth. So things like hot cocoa or herbal tea are wise, while simple hot water is your friend on more extreme adventures.

Bonus idea: In winter camping, thermoses of hot water can also be stashed inside a sleeping bag to help someone who can’t get warm.

For more explanation on staying warm, check on the YouTube video I posted by clicking here.

I hope you found this useful, and more importantly, I hope you’re getting outside and enjoying the winter, friends. If so, give myself and other readers some inspo by letting us know what you’re up to in the Comment section below!