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Winter Survival

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Western chapter.

 

Every year winter sneaks up on us bringing with it shortened days, freezing temperatures and dryness. It’s no surprise that most people struggle to get through the winter so we compiled a list of must-haves to get you through this difficult time.

Hot beverages

Seriously stock up. There is nothing better than sipping a cup of hot-winter-inspired cocoa – or tea, or coffee – in the colder weather. David’s Tea has a brilliant winter collection (including Cookie Dough, Santa’s Secret, and Cocomint Cream).

They even have one for when the cold gets to you and you end up getting sick! Check out Organic Cold 911 – it’s meant to battle out those tough colds throughout the season.

There’s also the obvious choice of Apple Cider and a cinnamon stick – a truly wintery-drink.

A personal favourite of mine is Hot Chocolate. Try combining Rolo Hot Chocolate with a spoonful of peanut butter for that awesome-cozy-warm-ahhmazing – and delicious – winter drink. Don’t forget to add the Baileys (if you’re 19+) on those extra hard days.

Take care of your skin

Skin Drink from Lush – your skin will need that extra moisture during the winter season, so don’t hold back!

Sunscreen. I’m not joking. I wear sunscreen every day, all year round because it protects the skin from UV rays – don’t be the idiot with sunburn in the winter.

Lip balm – if your skin is dryer during the winter, so are your lips. Keep everything hydrated and beautiful! Not sure which one is best? Try Burts Bees. It can be found at any Shoppers Drug Mart! Or a HerCampus alternative: Vaseline! (See our 30 Uses of Vaseline article).

Don’t forget the obvious necessity of Vitamins – seriously, your body isn’t being exposed to as much Vitamin D as it is during other seasons – also, to avoid any winter colds make sure you’re taking a superb multi-vitamin and eating lots of healthy food (and soup… because soup is warm and comforting). Butternut squash is a seasonal favourite of mine.

What else can get your through those winter blues you ask? Try:

  • Food – a hot bowl of soup or freshly baked cookies will warm up your body and soul! Anything from the Betty Crocker or Pillsbury collection is easy to make and delicious.
  • Movies – the winter classics will help get you through those snowy days.
  • Curling up with any good book – Right now I’m currently part way through Freakonomics.
  • Old 90s television show series that you love or that you’ve always wanted to get into, i.e. Friends never gets old.
  • Good music, listen to music that makes you feel warm! Hit up 8tracks.com and try out pre-made playlists that follow any genre – from slow jazz, to hip hop, to dubstep, to indie. It has every music essential you’ll ever need.
  • Take lots of baths and hot showers – the best way to get warm!

And remember: you’ll survive – it’s only winter.

Nakita is a student at the University of Western Ontario studying Media, Information, and Technoculture with a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Culture. She spends a lot of time on her residence executive as VP Social, Events Director for Her Campus Western Ontario, and volunteers as a residence soph within the Orientation Week program at Western. She spends her spare time sipping back David's Tea, enjoying the warmth of any wool clothing, and loving everything 90s. Some of her bucket list items include: sandboarding in Australia, owning a pet duck, and working in a PR firm. You can learn more about her 140-character thoughts by following her Twitter: @nakitaryerson
Rida is a fourth year student at the University of Western Ontario and is extremely excited about the opportunity to bring Her Campus to London! She recently changed her major from Finance to English Literature after finally realizing what she wanted to do with her life. Having spent her whole life in the Middle East (Dubai and Saudi Arabia) Rida had no choice but to grow up a shopaholic! Having shifted from the desert to the great ice box that is Canada, she still finds it difficult to adjust to the freezing weather. In her spare time, Rida likes reading, watching way too many shows, stuffed crust pizza and,of course, shopping! Her aspirations are to one day live in Paris and be a writer for Vogue.