Amy Miao

Combining different tactics create the perfect cozy afternoon.

In the middle of winter, staying warm becomes a crucial aspect of everyday life, whether you are sitting at home relaxing or walking around school. As someone who lives in so-called sunny California, I still somehow find a way to be cold in almost any situation. I never seem to escape the shivering and goosebumps that come with the December temperature drop. Here are my top six tips for staying warm.

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• Use a heated blanket

 

Ever since I received the blanket as a gift for my 13th birthday, it has been a daily staple to keep me warm. I use it on the weekends when binge-reading a good book or watching a show with my family. It comes with a detachable plug which makes it very convenient to wash, and it has adjustable heat settings — I always opt for the highest one. 

When I am the only one in the house who is cold, my heated blanket is great for warming me up without having to heat the entire house, making it energy efficient. On top of that, the blanket works much better than microwavable heating packs, which only last a short amount of time.

Since I enjoy my blanket so much, I’ve bought similar ones as gifts for other people and found that Amazon tends to offer the best blankets. With a variety of colors, materials and sizes for blankets, I can find exactly what I am looking for when buying a gift.

 

• Invest in warm bedding

 

I am very enthusiastic about sleeping, especially on the weekends, when I can catch up on all the sleep that I missed during the week. My brushed cotton flannel LL Bean comforter, pillowcases and sheets never fail to provide warmth in the winter when a normal cotton comforter is simply not enough.

After coming home late from swim practice and doing a couple hours of homework, the heavenly soft sheets, which have lasted me over five years, have me sleeping in minutes.

 

• Drink tea

 

My family drinks a lot of tea, and regardless of  the time of year, it is my go-to drink for staying warm. I enjoy many different types: the mango black tea from Trader Joe’s, different floral loose-leaf teas and green tea with honey and lemon.

The mango black tea is my favorite to drink earlier in the day since it contains a lot of caffeine but has a tropical taste. Since it has a bold flavor, it’s better to infuse the tea bag for 30 to 60 seconds so it is not too intense. 

The floral loose-leaf teas, however, don’t contain caffeine and are something you can enjoy even late at night. While some people enjoy loose-leaf tea by simply adding it to hot water, I prefer to separate the leaves in a teapot so you don’t encounter them when drinking the tea. 

Green tea with honey and lemon is a classic tea that I have been drinking since I was little, and its citrusy-yet-sweet taste always manages to help when you have a cold. 

Other than potentially staining your teeth yellow, tea is healthy compared to hot chocolate or coffee, and it always warms me up.

 

• Wear fleece zip-ups

 

At school, a solid warm jacket collection is key to surviving the classrooms where the air-conditioning never seems to stop blasting. Out of all my jackets, my two fleece zip-ups are my favorite for the coldest days.

One of the jackets is from Uniqlo and I have had two jackets like it in the past because of my favorite part — the soft interior pockets which instantly warm up your hands. The price point, which ranges from $20-$40, is also relatively low compared to other brands, especially for the quality you get and the variety of colors you can choose from. My second jacket is from Garage, and while it is pricier, its sherpa material provides the ultimate comfort needed on a cold day. 

Although these jackets are thicker than others, they still yield warmth without being overly bulky. Unlike hoodies, these zip-ups are also easier to layer because they are easy to take off. 

 

• Slip into comfy pajama pants

 

Whether going out, spending a weekend indoors or sleeping, you can never go wrong with pajama pants. My different pajama pants are all made of cotton and are thin yet soft, always keeping me warm. 

I prefer these more natural materials such as cotton for pajama pants because they are not as itchy as the fuzzy polyester pants. Old Navy always has a wide variety of pajama pants which are all made of cotton, especially around the holiday season. The pants are also sold at a reasonable price, ranging from around $15-$30. 

Each pair of pants carries memories, since I received many as gifts from friends and family, and I also have a pair to match with my friends. When pajama day comes around, I never miss the chance to wear one of my beloved pants to school.

 

• Combine slippers and fluffy socks

 

The best combination for keeping your feet warm at home is fluffy socks and slippers. Slippers feel nice after a long day of wearing shoes, and adding fluffy socks on top truly provides the insulation that you need. This combination never fails to help me battle the cold kitchen floor in the morning, especially with the fun variety of socks that I own.

I’ve bought and received many fluffy socks over the years and my favorites have been from Target. They offer many different themed socks which stay fluffy and thick for numerous washes. My slippers are from Amazon, where I’ve found various slippers for personalized comforts for gifts as well.  

 

All of these items are like having a super power — giving me the ability to stay warm and cozy on even the coldest California days.