Seven Ways To Stay Warm Now That Winter Is Officially, Seriously Here

As the famous Game of Thrones quote says, “winter is coming”, or rather, it’s already here!

We’re right in the midst of winter right now, and everyone is feeling it. Last week, Perth experienced a mercury drop to a shiver-worthy 0.7C, the coldest July morning in four years, and Victoria has been hit with an Antarctic chill, blanketing towns near Melbourne with snow.

Because I’m a typical Sydneysider, I’m sitting here in the below 20-degree weather (oh, the horrors!), wearing two layers of clothing and covering myself in blankets in an attempt to survive. So, due to my off-the-scale self-pity, I started dreaming up great ideas on how to survive the winter, and thought I’d share some tips with everyone.

Tip #1: Steaming Cup o’ Tea

Whether you make the effort to go to a nice café, or stay at home and make your own, you can never go wrong with a hot drink in the cold weather. My personal favourite winter-warmer is a steaming cup of chai tea. However, if you’re not a fan of the spicy combo, maybe you’ll fancy a cup of coffee, or a simple earl-grey tea. Regardless of the type, a hot drink is sure to give you that warm-fuzzy feeling inside, without too much dedication!

Tip #2: The Ol’ Chicken Soup

Similarly, whether you stick to the classics, and whip up a good ol’ chicken soup, or order in pizzas, you can’t go wrong with some stomach-warming food. For the benefit of those on a winter-budget, here’s a simple (but delicious) pumpkin soup recipe; one of my all-time favourite winter-warmers. However, if soup isn’t your style, try baking some sweet-goods, hot chips, spag-bol or even some homemade pizzas!

Tip #3: Winter Wardrobe

My favourite part of winter is definitely the possibility of revamping your wardrobe. Whether you’re going for a classy “night-out” look, or a simple stay-at-home one, you’ll definitely want to aim for warmer clothes. If you’re not about that hectic night-life, hit-up Peter Alexander, or even Big W, and get some new pyjamas to ensure you sleep in peace! However, if you’re planning to take on the world despite the weather, hit up TopShop/ TopMan for some stylish outfits.

Tip #4: Movie Marathon

Since the weather is too dreary to go exploring, you won’t feel as bad inviting friends over for a movie marathon. If you’re feeling brave, throw on The Babadook or The Conjuring (winter provides an ideal excuse to hide under the blankets when you get too scared) or if you’re looking for a laugh, The Interview or Adventureland are personal faves. Otherwise, have a Friends marathon; you can never go wrong with a Friends marathon.

Tip #5: A Good Read

For most people, the worst part of winter is getting out of bed. So, what if I told you to explore the world, without getting out of your comfortable cocoon? Well, believe it or not, there are books which are so “out-of-this-world”, you can travel to a warmer place! I recommend reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, or if you’re more into crime-fiction, try John Grisham’s The Client. For more genre-based suggestions, I suggest exploring the GoodReads website.

Tip #6: Artificial Cuddle Buddies

So, it’s winter, and it’s cold, and the best way to get warmth is to steal it from someone (or something else). So, if you have a pet I suggest cuddling up with it (unless it’s a fish). However, if you’re like me, and live in an anti-pet household, a similar solution is a hot water bottle. Put a nice cover on top, and it becomes the ideal cuddle buddy (and even better, it won’t run away from you)! It sounds obvious, but sometimes you can forget the joy a hot water bottle can give you.

Tip #7: Burn, Baby, Burn

If none of the above works for you, there’s always the option of bringing warmth to your whole household. Turning on a heater (or air-conditioner, if you have one), is a quick and easy way to wish the winter away, and pretend you’re in summer. Candles and fireplaces also add a bit of warmth, and a calming sense of ambiance to any space.

So, don’t let the cold weather get you too down; there’s so many ways to beat it! Whether you eat some nice foods, or stay at home snuggled up in bed, you’re sure to survive this year's winter.

Sarah Schofield is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about the contributors program.

Photo: HBO.