While many people travel to areas of the US with similar climates as their home countries, others may find themselves going from a hot climate to a cold one! I had a similar experience moving from the South to the Midwest. As the weather cools, find out what you need to know about surviving the winter.
What to Wear
The number of layers depends on how long you plan to be outside. College students walking around campus need more clothing than employees who need only to make a mad dash from the parking lot to the entrance. Comfort also plays a role. You can experiment until you find out what works for you.
Items to Consider Purchasing:
- Hat
- Light gloves
- Heavy gloves or mittens
- Light jacket or hoodie
- Heavy coat
- Scarf
- Snow boots (if your area gets a lot of snow)
- Tights
- Undershirt
Quality varies greatly in items and accounts for the range in prices. Depending on where you live and how much time you plan to spend outdoors, you may need a higher quality coat than what you can get at a box store.
For cold, windy days, use an undershirt as a base layer. Wear a regular long-sleeved shirt over that, followed by a coat that is appropriate for the weather. Tights are great as a base layer under pants. Many people who don’t wear an undershirt wear tights because while you can add coats and scarves to your upper body, there isn’t much protection for the lower body. Hats and gloves are important, too, and come in various fabrics to protect from different temperatures. Many people in cold climates have lighter hats and gloves for cold weather and heavier hats and gloves for very cold weather. If you need help, visit your local sports store and tell them what you need. You are not obligated to purchase anything if it is too expensive.
If you have kids and live in a very cold region such as the Midwest, your child may need a snowsuit and snow boots to play on the playground. If you are not from a cold country and are unsure, ask your child’s teacher what you need to know to keep your child warm.
Protect Your Skin
While you may feel warm in your coat, how are your lips and nose? Before going out, check the weather for the day. Don’t forget to account for windchill! In some places in the Midwest, the wind can make the temperature feel much colder than the air itself. Once it gets very cold, protecting your skin from frostbite and drying out becomes a priority. For dry lips, many people use Chapstick. Chapstick is a brand, but like Kleenex and Band-Aid, many people refer to all brands as the same item. It looks like lipstick, but it is clear. Cover as much of your skin as you can and apply lotion after taking a shower to help prevent drying and flaking. If your skin is very dry, consider purchasing a humidifier, which is a device filled with water and is dispersed into the air to make more humidity. Be careful with these if you have small children as some models can cause burns to a curious child.
If you are going outside in the sun for activities such as hiking or skiing, wear sunscreen. Sun reflects on snow and makes it more dangerous to skin.
If there is snow on the ground and you do not have boots, how are your feet? If you must walk through snow to reach your destination, at least bring an extra pair of socks and shoes if you have them. Cold, wet feet can drop your body temperature and make you miserable. If the snow is deep or ongoing, you may need a change of pants or shirt as well.
Protect Your Mental Health
People who live in colder, darker areas are at risk for developing Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a form of depression that can be caused by lack of sunlight. If you are feeling irritable, sad, or unmotivated, consider investing in a sun lamp or see your doctor.