Comments on: Coping with the cold and dark (and a content round-up, including a Cal Newport interview) https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/ Writer, Author, Speaker Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:34:02 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Stephanie https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531401 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:34:02 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531401 Fleece-lined jeans and sweatpants are my go-to’s around the house in the winter. Plus, I’m always wearing hard-soled, fleece-lined slippers to keep my feet warm on hardwood floors.

]]> By: kate https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531314 Tue, 22 Oct 2024 02:53:47 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531314 In reply to Ann.

Heated gloves! I didn’t know that was even a thing – what a great idea.

]]> By: Marj https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531255 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:54:30 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531255 Minnesota girl here. We live in a 100+ year old farmhouse that gets drafty. In the winter, we keep thermostat at 68 most of the day. I can’t see the heating the whole house for just me while hubby is at work.
My tips:
Some sort of light weight long underwear, both top and bottoms. Leggings can work, but I find they bunch or feel too bulky under clothing. I prefer a semi-loose fit in a smooth slick surface knit fabric. They float and don’t bind or bunch. Can double as pj’s when traveling.
Personally, I need to keep my neck warm to keep my body warm. First layer, long underwear, next layer— A turtleneck t shirt under a sweater or sweatshirt is part of my winter uniform. A scarf also works, if I’m doing desk work or reading.
I wear socks (over the ankle) and shoes in the house in the winter. Even Crocs with socks work well and are so easy to slip on and off. These are worn only in the house to keep the floors clean. I wear something else when going out, even for quick trips— to get the mail, etc.
Go outside everyday once or twice to get heart rate up even on cold days. I bundle up with down jacket, scarf or neck gaitor, hat or earband, warm gloves, and winter boots. Amazing how quickly I can dress myself to go out when it’s just me, not like the years with little kids.
And it’s amazing how warm 68 degrees feels when I come back in. Then a warm beverage and I feel toasty for quite a while.
I hate being cold, but can’t stand heat and humidity either. My comfort zone is pretty narrow but cold weather is easier to accommodate. Good luck!

]]> By: Frieda https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531234 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:12:18 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531234 I really enjoyed your interview of Cal Newport. Seeing your „philosophies“ merged together made so much sense! Until that point, productivity and a slow lifestyle where opposites for me but thanks to your conversation I understood that it can be two sides of the same coin.

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531225 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:50:15 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531225 In reply to KGC.

@KGC – a foot warmer! Now there’s an idea…I’m usually warm at night – I have a down comforter so I sleep fine but it’s getting out of bed that’s the problem…

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531224 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:49:12 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531224 In reply to Holly.

@Holly – so I have a system with the shower that involves two towels so I never have to be really cold – as hair and body don’t need to be dried at separate times…

]]> By: Laura Vanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-531223 Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:48:26 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-531223 In reply to Cate.

@Cate – interesting – I hadn’t considered the heated blanket for the office idea…

]]> By: KGC https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-530905 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 18:28:17 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-530905 I love the cold so much but HATE the heat – I find summers so much worse than winters. I’m about 2 hours south of you, so very similar climate. That being said, I don’t like BEING cold – but you can do things about it! I have a heated vest, a mattress warmer, and a footwarmer for my desk at home. My mom has rechargeable hand heaters. My husband installed a bathroom heater into the wall (or you can just use a space heater) and it makes a huge difference for getting out of the shower in the morning. In the winter, I wear a base layer+wool nearly every day on my upper body. I have fleece-lined pants for my lower body. If you can get the extremities warm, the rest follow!!!

(if I had to recommend just one thing, though, get the mattress warmer! it’s the best!!!)

]]> By: Holly https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-530859 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:39:34 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-530859 In reply to Cate.

The older I am, the colder I seem to get. I live in Wisconsin, and remember I used to run year-round, even when it was low, low single digits. No way could I tolerate that now. I like the idea of a heated blanket for my desk as someone else mentioned. I work from home, and just freeze at my desk regardless of what I wear. I have found though that I do better with heavy socks and thicker soled shoes of some sort, and many layers on top. I have fleece dresses and will wear one of those over outdoor leggings when it’s really cold. And of course, a space heater. But I too am always cold while dressing, after showering, first thing in the morning, etc.
I like the tip about hot water for face and hand washing! And I’m off now to shop for a heated throw to use at my desk…

]]> By: Cate https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/10/coping-with-the-cold-and-dark-and-a-content-round-up-including-a-cal-newport-interview/#comment-530822 Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:20:43 +0000 https://lauravanderkam.com/?p=19769#comment-530822 Last year I got a heated lap blanket for my home office! It plugs in under the desk. So nice to have a fluffy warm cocoon to work under without needing to burn fuel to heat the whole house!

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