Good day to all of you glistening snowflakes who are gazing upon these words at this specific moment in time. I use the term snowflake in the most endearing way, not as whatever that insult is supposed to mean. I never understood how or why it was used in a degrading manner because who wouldn’t want to be a beautiful, intricate and transformative aspect of nature? Personally if someone called me a snowflake, I would automatically assume that they want to get married, but maybe that’s just me.
As someone who personally has zero circulation in their extremities, the winter months can be a challenge. Walking from your dorm to the dining hall is difficult when you lose the ability to bend your fingers in those five minutes, let alone partaking in one of those joyous-appearing winter activities, such as snowball fights or sledding. Can you tell I’m only a little bitter about my minor case of raynauds? Well my little snow angels, fear not for your circulation because I have some tips and tricks to staying warm in the beautiful snow and bitter cold.
Now that I am an ancient crow on this campus, I sound like a facetious grandmother, but gloves are a total game changer. The amount of time I am able to spend outside without being in agony from the pain is tripled by wearing gloves. Quite honestly I start wearing gloves in October. I have no qualms or embarrassment anymore, probably because I am a fossil, but seriously, invest in gloves. Wearing two pairs of pants is another way of dress that also keeps one significantly more comfortable in the cold. Until I’ve thrifted a pair of L.L. Bean’s men’s flannel lined jeans, double pants it is.
Aside from clothing, when a chilling gust of wind blows through the terrain, I suggest recalling a time when you were sweating beyond what you previously thought was humanly possible. Transport yourself back to that experience. This is great if you’ve ever been to states such as Alabama or Texas in mid-July, but really any time and place works.
If all else fails, find a human you are attracted to who is walking around in the cold with significantly less layers and still appearing to be rosy and warm. They say one’s hands tell everything you need to know about a person and amazing circulation is insanely hot, no pun intended.
So. we have established how to stay warm and serene outdoors, but what about when you come inside? If you are one of the many students residing in an on-campus residential hall, you most likely know all about the cinder block walls, cold tile floors, flickering fluorescent lights and all the fire code safety guides that hinder one from being able to make their dorm room as cozy as their homes are.
While you may not be able to light a candle and turn your room into a diner at 8 a.m., using potpourri or essential oils can give your room a great smell not to mention stimulating concentration, relaxation or relieving headaches, instantly making one more comfortable.
Mood lighting is another instant game changer to make one’s room cozy. While it’s self explanatory, dim warm lighting makes you feel as though you’re in a ski lodge versus the cold blue fluorescent lights typically seen in an asylum. I can not stress investing in mood lighting for your rooms enough.
Rugs are also very important to me and my levels of comfort. Not only is laying on the floor one of the highlights of life, but they add so much comfort and coziness to one’s room. Despite the fact that I’ve spilled copious amounts of coffee on my rugs, we have a loving bond nonetheless and I guarantee you will also feel this beautiful relationship bloom when you lay the rug down on your floor and kiss it with your feet.
And on that note, that’s all of my creepy thoughts today, my droplets of beauty!