Spiritual Ways to Stay Warm

Top Ten Ways to Stay Warm in Winter

Tips for keeping toasty warm and happy throughout the cold winter.

Even for people who relish the perpetual cycle of the four seasons, winter can be a challenge. Not only does the sun shine less and the thermometer drop, but snow and slush, not to mention thick winter coats, make it harder to get around, much less spend time outdoors.

But there is hope to have a warm, cozy, even spiritual winter experience. Just explore our ten tips, and you'll feel warmer already.

Tip #1: Go for a Winter Walk

For many, looking outside onto a cold, snowy scene is a road map to the couch. But keeping physically fit in the winter is an important part of keeping your mood stable and staying connected to the outdoors. Take pleasure in bundling up in layers that will wick away sweat while keeping you cozy, then head outside, either alone or with a friend or your family.

Look around, and notice how different your neighborhood looks in wintertime, and savor the cool quiet of the season. Better yet, strap on some snowshoes and check out a local park for some truly refreshing—and warming—communion with nature.

Tip #2: Take a "Hot" Yoga Class

Practically any type of yoga practice gets your circulation going, but bikram yoga, also called "hot" yoga, literally heats up your core. Bikram yoga's 90-minute classes are conducted in rooms that are heated to 105 degrees, causing your body temperature to rise, your sweat glands to open, and your body to purify itself of toxins as your muscles are stretched at a deep level. Practitioners of this type of yoga swear by its health-giving properties, though beginners should be careful—and all bikram yogis should be sure to stay fully hydrated.

Tip #3: Sip Herbal Tea

Herbal teas allow you the luxurious feeling of swallowing a warm drink, but spare you the calories of hot chocolate or the caffeine of coffee. With so many varieties of herbal tea to choose from, there should be something for every taste.

If you're looking for a soothing cup before bed, try chamomile. For the more adventurous palate, check out genmaicha, green tea brewed with brown rice. Not only will it keep you warm, green tea also has plenty of health benefits--it's high in antioxidants and may help prevent some forms of cancer.

Tip #4: Cuddle with Your Pet

Nothing gives you the warm and fuzzies better than something warm and fuzzy, so make time when it's cold outside to snuggle up with your dog or cat. Let your pet remind you of the simple pleasures in life, the joys of making another living thing happy and comfortable, and the ways you keep each other physically and spiritually warm.

Tip #5: Turn on the Lights

Do you find yourself feeling blue more often in the winter? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a kind of depression related to changes in light. This usually makes people feel more depressed in cold months, when it gets dark earlier.

The website Light Therapy Products has a whole range of indoor lights that help alleviate SAD. Try the "dawn simulator," which imitates the sunrise in order to help you wake up naturally. You will definitely start the day in a better mood.

Tip #6: Bake Something Yummy

Nothing fills the house with comforting, warm scents more than something delicious baking in the oven. At the end of a yucky, cold weekday, whip up a batch of brownies from a mix to power down and warm up in a hurry. On a blustery weekend day, spend a little more time, baking a loaf of bread or making cookies or a cake from scratch.

This is a perfect activity to do together with kids, friends, or loved ones, and the rewards are as delicious as the waiting.

Tip #7: Take an Aromatherapy Bath

Since ancient times, people have recognized the restorative power of a hot bath. Adding essential oils to your warm water escape can lift your spirits even more than a simple soak.

Use peppermint to soothe headaches, citrus for rejuvenation, and lemongrass for inner purification. Smelling the oils sends the fragrances to your brain, where they affect your mood.

Tip #8: Practice "Warming Breath"

Students of kundalini yoga do a "fire breath" to literally warm up at the beginning of class. To do this breathing exercise, first come into a seated position. Start by inhaling a full breath and then exhaling completely. Inhale again, then exhale quickly without taking a break.

Repeat this, each time faster, and soon it'll feel like your body is heated from the inside.

Tip #9: Curl Up with a Good Book

If it's sleeting outside and you dread the thought of putting on your heavy coat, stay inside with a good book instead. Here are two inspiring recommendations: Harvest for Hope: A Guide to Mindful Eating by famous biologist Jane Goodall, Gary McAvoy, and Gail Hudson, and Cancer Vixen, a funny, thoughtful memoir about dealing with cancer, written and illustrated by Marisa Acocella Marchetto.

Tip #10: Light a Fire

The mere sight of a crackling fire can get your body feeling warmer. (Why do you think those televised yule logs are so popular?) If you're lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace in your home, strike a match and settle in for a pleasant, cozy time.

Let yourself relax as you enjoy the sight of the leaping flames, the scent of the burning wood, the sound of its pops and cracks, and of course, the warmth of the fire.

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