Image description: A woman dressed in winter clothing sits on a snowy hillside holding a bright blue circular sled. She is smiling, wearing sunglasses and a knit hat, with a fence and winter landscape in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
It鈥檚 currently around 35掳 C where I鈥檓 from. For most of my life, the end of the year was about vacation, staying as long as possible in front of a fan, sandy beaches, and fake snow on fake Christmas trees. Now it鈥檚 about endless marking, layered clothing, slushy roads, and 鈥 still 鈥 fake snow on a fake Christmas tree (I live in an apartment, and ).
You can imagine (and perhaps even relate to) how brutal Canadian winters are for me. Despite the cold and the dark, I鈥檝e been learning to cope little by little 鈥 check my previous blog for more on this. Today, I wanted to share some tried-and-true tips and tricks on how to prepare for the upcoming Winter season.
1. There鈥檚 no bad weather, only bad clothing
Look, winter isn鈥檛 trying to offend you personally 鈥 it just feels like it. The good news? Gear fixes 80% of it. Invest in a good winter coat, waterproof boots, thermal layers, wool-blend socks, a warm hat, and gloves that work with your phone. If you haven鈥檛 checked these items off your list, take advantage of Black Friday deals or the . Dressing appropriately is the difference between 鈥淚 hate this country鈥 and 鈥渙kay, this is tolerable-ish.鈥 Pro tip: Wool is usually best, but not always affordable. Either way, remember that air is what keeps you warm 鈥 so leave a little room in your outer layers, shoes, and gloves.
2. If possible, change your schedule
If you can shift your workday, do it. The sun is essentially on a part-time schedule in winter, so try to complete your tasks when it鈥檚 still visible. Walking to the lab at 7 AM in the pitch-black cold is a spiritual experience, just not a good one. Even bumping things an hour can make your day feel less like a vampire internship. This was probably the most impactful change I made last year, and it was genuinely life-saving.
3. Check your vitamins and exercise
Winter turns many of us into sentient moss, and your body will complain. Vitamin D is usually the MVP, but consult your doctor to determine your specific needs. Exercise is, of course, always helpful. But during the cold and dark days, it may make all the difference in your energy levels. Think of it all as giving your system a little 鈥測ou got this鈥 boost before the darkness tries to chew through your soul and motivation.
4. Enjoy winter-exclusive activities
Winter won鈥檛 magically become fun unless you force it to. Try the seasonal stuff: skating, tubing, winter markets, building snowmen, skiing, drinking hot chocolate like it鈥檚 your new personality. These activities are basically coping mechanisms disguised as festivities. And they work. Give yourself something to look forward to that isn鈥檛 just 鈥渢he semester ending.鈥 My favourite things are skating at Market Square and tobogganing at Fort Henry. There are many activity suggestions here on the blog, like this post.
5. Make your work and personal environment joyful
You鈥檙e going to be indoors A LOT, so make your spaces treat you right. Add warm lighting, cozy blankets, a plant that forgives you for forgetting about it, or a tiny fake tree if that鈥檚 your holiday vibe. Even your office desk deserves a little sparkle. Ask your supervisor about decorating the lab (winter wonderland theme?). Tiny upgrades do wonders when the world outside looks like a grayscale glitch.