Want to feel like summer in winter, that's easy. Here's how
Video Journalist
Monday, January 15, 2018, 12:24 PM - As Canadians we have a reputation for being kind, polite and sweet. We also have a reputation for being tough when it comes to handling cold weather. Well I’ll tell you this: I’m Canadian and just the thought of winter used to make me want to cry frozen tears.
With a bit of a career change and new direction, I’m finding myself experiencing the great outdoors more than ever and surprise surprise, it’s working for me.
Here are a couple of tips I picked up along the way to not only tolerating the cold, but actually embracing it.
1. Dress the part.
No wonder I was miserable, I was freezing.
Layer up everybody. It’s the only way to survive. Life is not a fashion show, especially in the winter. Think long underwear, undershirts, sweater on top of sweater and a huge coat. Throw on a scarf, some mittens and don’t forget fully insulated and waterproof boots. You may not be able to move or walk properly, but you’ll be warm.
2. You always feel lighter in the summer.
Seasonal weight gain is a thing. Research done by Johns Hopkins University, states that we can gain anywhere from five to seven pounds during the winter. No thanks. If you exercise in the summer, there is no excuse to why you can’t get out in the winter. But what if you don’t like winter activities? I hear you. Skiing, skating, snowshoeing. Not exactly my forte. I have a dog and she needs to be walked. So instead of lacing up and playing a game of shinny, I go for a walk along the trails (and it can actually be super pretty when the snow is falling).
3. Two words. Cabin. Fever.
Minus-35 wind chill and I’m telling you to go outside and embrace it right? Not a chance. If you’re like me, you like to get out and do things, but when it’s absolutely freezing, then what? Go somewhere warm. Check out a local nursery and hang out with the tropical plants, a mall, a library (yes they still exist) go to a butterfly conservatory (always hot and humid) or go swimming in an indoor pool that includes a hot tub or sauna.
VIDEO: Some quick winter weather safe havens:
4. It’s like the song that never ends.
Many of us gripe about the first snowfall when it happens before Halloween and we tend to get a little fed up when it lasts well in to April. What can we do about it? Nothing. Mother Nature wins every time. But, we can make it a little easier on ourselves. Break up the season. Plan things to do during the beginning, middle and end of winter. We tend to luck out during the holiday’s because we’re so busy stuffing our faces to care how cold it is, it’s mostly the end of winter that can seem especially long, and that brings me to my last point.
5. Leave.