New England Winters

As someone who moved here from the South, I was definitely unprepared for the New England winters. New England’s beautiful rolling hills, mountains and jagged coastlines are unfortunately a consequence of retreating ice sheets from prehistoric times, and during the winters most of New England becomes a giant ice sheet. I’ve lived here for four years now and have still not figured out the winters. Although it undeniably has something to do with global warming; it will be 45 degrees and sunny one day, and a painful blizzard the next.

Regardless, you can bet that winter in New England will bring some bright, brittle mornings and evenings with temperatures well below zero with a bitter wind snapping at the frozen branches of the spruce trees. I still have not found an appropriate, comfortable and equally attractive pair of winter boots (mostly because of how ugly they are and my vanity), or a really practical coat (or the dreaded parka). One of these days I will have to give in and sacrifice my trendy good looks for comfort and health, but maybe I’ll wait until I’m done with school for that.

Here are some tips I have discovered on surviving a New England winter that helped me and will hopefully help you:

1.) Layer – get used to the pit stains, but wearing lots of layers is a proven way to stay warmer during the winter.

2.) Insulate – People can benefit from insulation in our homes, jackets and, easily forgotten, our hats. Up to 50% of heat loss can be from an uncovered head.

3.) Stay hydrated – in cold weather you lose a lot of fluid just inhaling dry cold air and exhaling warm moist air. Drinking lots of the right liquids is important. Caffeine is not really good for you in cold weather. Alcohol is technically a no-no since it is dehydrating, however ask any college kid about the benefits of a drunk jacket on a freezing Saturday night. Pregaming the cold is a quick fix as long as used responsibly.

4.) Use public transportation – when it is snowing or has just snowed, consider taking the bus. Driving in the snow is a hassle. You have to warm up the car, sweep the snow off the car, then scrape ice off it every time you want to go somewhere. Contrast that with just stepping onto a bus that’s already warm, and that’s driven by someone with considerably more snow driving experience than you. And it’s more eco friendly!

Thanks to the stupid groundhog we have a lovely six more weeks of winter. Stay warm!