7 Smart Ways to Break Out of Your Winter Rut
Turn that frosty frown upside down
Sub-zero temperatures, treacherous roads and the need to wear a thousand itchy layers at one time. Even slow-cooker hot cocoa and New Girl Season 5 aren’t enough to see us through the snow thaw.
Winter, blech.
That’s why we’ve pieced together this list of the seven things we’re really excited about this very second. We’re talking a few new discoveries (bet you can’t guess the coolest under-the-radar travel spot of 2016), chic cold-weather gear and an inspiring snack that won’t bust your healthy-eating resolution.
A WINTER WONDERLAND NO ONE ELSE KNOWS ABOUT (YET)
While your coworkers all jet off to the same exotic beach to escape cold-weather reality, you could embrace it. Picture yourself in Greenland among the world’s most colorful fishing villages, on a boat sailing through ice canyons and beneath the Northern Lights. It’s reason enough to pass on Cabo (and the chance of running into Eric from marketing…in a Speedo).
A GAME-CHANGING HAIR SERUM
Fact: Winter is an all-out assault on your hair (hat head, split ends, static, ugh). That’s about to change, thanks to this cult-favorite hair oil, which banishes frizz and can also be used on your cheeks for a healthy glow.
A TOTE THAT CAN HANDLE HEAVY WINTER VEGGIES (AND MORE)
This linen carryall is large enough to hold your indoor flea market finds, gym gear and farm-stand haul.
A BETTER SNACK
Winter doldrums have led us to mindlessly grab whatever bag of cookies was within mitten’s reach. But now that we’ve resolved to make snacking a more mindful experience, we’re going to prepare something a bit more special. Like crostini crisps, a wedge of The Laughing Cow’s Creamy Light Swiss cheese, pear slices and a dollop of orange marmalade. Sweet, savory and totally worth the extra (tiny bit of) effort.
AN EXCUSE TO SKIP THE GYM
Think about it this way: Building a snow fort, sledding and a wintry hike all count as workouts, people. And the only real thing standing in the way of your getting off the boring treadmill and playing outside (remember childhood?) is the right gear. A neck gaiter is a good start. It works just as well for an outdoor run as it does on the slopes.
AND AN EXCUSE TO STAY IN
So you’re planning to go to Berlin this spring (an art gallery bike tour sounds so cultured), but your Deutsche is a little rusty (German 101 was in high school, after all). This award-winning app turns language learning into a fun game on your smartphone that you can play in as little as five minutes a day. And unlike other language tutorials, it’s totally free.
A NEW WAY TO WARM UP
Gloves are great and all, but cashmere-blend hand warmers that are stylish and functional and won’t stop us from texting? Yeah, we’re sold.