These winter essentials are the feel-good products to keep you going when winter feels like it’s going to last f o r e v e r
We’re cold. You’re cold. The days are short, the weather is a gamble, and the argument with your kids about wearing their coat is neverending. It’s the middle of winter and if you’re feeling a little blue, or even if you’re dealing with full-on Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s fully understandable. Of course, the season doesn’t mean life isn’t still great. It’s just a bit easier to find yourself pretty zapped, crabby, or dull. And we’re here to bring you back to feeling your best with these winter essentials.
Whether it’s your favorite time of year or not, we’ve got some serious tricks up our sleeves to keep you going no matter what the weather is doing. We’re even willing to bet that there are a lot of these feel-good products that you’ll find yourself reaching for all year. We’re talking winter essentials that will keep you going inside, outside, and every single day, and that’ll improve your mood, comfort, and overall sense of well-being. We mean it. Keep reading to get your glow back this winter.
Marshmallow Brown Warmies Boots
Warmies Boots are fully microwavable and scented with real French lavender, so you can warm your always-cold feet and get some zen out of the whole thing, too. Just pop them in the microwave (follow the instructions) and you'll have up to a full hour of cozy warmth. Available in 3 colors, too.
When it's gloomy and grey outside, you need to bring a little spring to your space. Adding a live plant not only cleans the air and reduce your stress levels, but they brighten up your whole mood. The braided money tree from Costa Farms is a winner for sure, and she only needs to be watered once a week in most cases.
We have good news. Snapping off a piece or two of your favorite chocolate candy can actually improve your mood and alter brain patterns. Thanks, science! Obviously, we can't inhale massive amounts of these incredible Tony Chocolonely bars (even if we think we want to. Even if this bundle does include Chocolate Raspberry...) without actually feeling not-so-great, but a little bit might just be your ticket out of the winter blues.
We're jumping right into comfort because when you're spending time inside, comfort is key. And when it comes to bras, that goes double (pardon the pun). When was the last time you invested in a really, really good bra? Be honest. ThirdLove has bra-sizing wizards (we're assuming) that help you figure out your bra size (the real one!) with just a few questions, and point you toward the best bra for you. Plus, you get a coupon for $15 off your purchase when you complete the bra quiz.
We're partial to the All Day Lace T-Shirt Bra—especially since the lace is actually soft! And we couldn't do without the ultra-comfy (and super pretty) coordinating All Day Lace Cheeky Panty. There's just something about matching underwear that makes us feel like we have it all together.
Yes, we suggested chocolate, and here’s how to offset that. Consider this: anything green is generally a good-for-you-mood-lifter, especially during the dark winter months. AG1 can help increase your energy levels, decrease bloating, reduce cravings, and add some more calm to your life. It can also replace your multi-product regimen: multivitamin, prebiotics, probiotics, and more. Plus, AG1 is loved by athletes and health gurus, especially since it’s so easy, super convenient, and tastes great (really!). Check out all the ways to drink your greens!
All of Homesick's candles are so dreamy, and the Beach Cottage candle is no exception. If you can't be at a beach cottage, at least your house can smell like one, right? Bergamot, sea air, and plumeria blend together for a seaside experience (even if it's snowing outside).
You're gonna need a place to display your money tree, or any other houseplants you may already have or decide to bring home. How cool is this hexagonal plant stand? You can even adjust the shapes for your own custom plant setup.
The sun is setting early and the days aren't always sunny to begin with in the winter, so meet HappyLight. HappyLight delivers 10,000 Lux of UV-free, LED, full-spectrum light for natural light therapy that doesn't include glares, flickering, or hotspots. Bright light therapy can help improve sleep, boost mood, increase energy, and enhance focus (in any season, actually, but definitely in the cold winter months).
Vitamin C is like sunshine in a bottle. Good Night Bright Brightening Serum works to encourage cell turnover, stimulates collagen, and boosts firmness and elasticity. With natural vitamin C from Kakadu plums, Good Night Bright is gentle on skin and won't cause irritation, redness, or flaking.
Ina Garten shares 85 comfort food recipes in this New York Times #1 Bestselling cookbook that's sure to warm you right up on even the most wintery of winter days. Green Spaghetti Carbonara, Crispy Chicken & Lemon Orzo, and even Pomegranate Gimlets to keep the whole family oh-so-cozy.
This deceptively simple showerhead is a cinch to install (no tools!) and feels ridiculously luxurious. It changed our whole shower game for less than $20.
Feeling low? Winter have you seriously blah? Journal it out. Even if you're new to journaling, this guided 91 day journal helps you focus on your goals and intentions, practice gratitude and mindfulness, and start feeling a lot more positive. It might even make you a fan of journaling for life!
The makers of The Big Blanket, which we're already huge fans of, launched their Hideout Hoodie not too long ago and we have yet to see anything cozier. Have you? It's big. It's so, so warm. There's a hood, kangaroo pocket, and a built-in sleep mask. Multiple colors and prints are available, but choose wisely; you'll be living in it all season. The Hideout Hoodie is one of those winter essentials we reach for constantly.
Local Washington State farmers, producers, and wild harvesters supply Scout Urling with ultra high-quality ingredients to create the most comforting tea collection that'll warm you from the inside out.
You're going to want to keep that tea (or coffee, or cocoa...) hot, of course. A whopping 121,000+ Amazon reviewers swear by this one. It comes in multiple colors and sizes, and will keep your comfort beverage hot for 5 hours (if it lasts that long, that is).
They're calling them 'headphones', but you could also totally use them as a sleep mask, too. Block out noise, bliss out to your favorite music, and drift away. You can also definitely work out with them, work, study, meditate...definitely a must-have. Multiple colors available, too.
We're sure you haven't missed the matching-2-piece-set trend—just open IG or TikTok and you'll see them all over. And it's really no surprise. Who doesn't want to be warm, comfortable, cute, and wearing something you can hang out in all day at home or easily run errands in? Plus, matching sets, well, match, so you don't even have to think about putting an outfit together. This versatile half-zip top and wide-leg bottom set comes in a bunch of different colors and can easily be layered over baselayers for super cold days.
If you find yourself feeling a little blue, or even when you're having a great day, positive affirmations have been scientifically proven to produce a positive mood boost, and give you the tools to sustain that good mood, too. Shuffle this encouraging and calming deck, select a card, and trust that you were meant to see that message. Take it with you through your day. Don't believe us? Really dedicate yourself to a week of focusing on your affirmations and watch the magic happen.
This is one coat that keeps going viral—just read any of the almost 28,000 Amazon reviews! Available at a steal, sizes XXS-5XL, and in multiple colors, you'll wear this year after year.
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Known for being enthusiastic and cool, babies with a November birthday also have some serious star power
If you know a few nonagenarians whose birthdays are in November, it might not be a coincidence. According to research, being born in November may well mean having a longer lifespan, among other unique traits. Sure, babies born in August are known for their positive attitudes, babies born in September are said to have strong bones, and babies born in October might be just a little bit taller. But people with November birthdays? Well, they stand out from the crowd, and we’d like to tell how.
Turns out, November is one of the most uncommon months to be born. In fact, according to this handy chart compiled using data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Social Security Administration, six of the rarest birthdays of the year, including Thanksgiving Day, are in November.
Not everyone can make the first string, but there are fewer bench warmers among this bunch. According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, kids with a November birthday are often fitter and stronger than those born in other months when measured for cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, and lower-body power. There's a clear physical advantage for those born in fall, researchers indicated, while also using this information to explain some bias in sports selection, particularly those leagues and schools with September age cut-off.
They're Strong at Heart
While heart disease is an unfortunately common ailment, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that those born in November are least likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. A look at 10 cardiovascular conditions showed that people born in autumn are more protected than those born in winter.
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They Lead Longer Lives
It’s pretty rare to live to be 100. Less than 1 percent of all Americans will make it to a full century, but if you’re born in November, chances are better that you’ll be among the few. Researchers from the University of Chicago found that babies born from September to November are more likely to become centenarians (or 100-year-olds) than those born in any other month. Being female, having good genetics, and a higher socioeconomic status can also help get you into the 100-plus birthday club.
Left-handers make up just 10 percent of the population, but if you have a November birthday, you may well be one of them. More specifically, boys born during November are more likely to be lucky lefties, according to research published in Cortex journal. Scientists suspect this may be tied to pregnant women's early exposure to sunlight, which can increase testosterone levels and result in left-handedness.
They’re A-Listers
Just about every month has a few birthday claims to fame, but none quite as stellar as November. Celebrities born in November include Leonardo DiCaprio, Scarlett Johansson, Martin Scorsese, Jodie Foster, and Ryan Gosling. It’s pretty clear that November babies are destined to be among the accomplished award-winners.
If you or your child has a November birthday, that means you or they are either a Scorpio (birthdays through Nov. 21) or a Sagittarius (Nov. 22 on). The ever-passionate Scorpio is known for being intuitive, brave, and hard-working, while fun-loving Sagittarius kids are recognized for their honesty, enthusiasm, and spontaneity. So, what does that mean? It means that if you're born in November, you must have a pretty great personality!
They Are Cool as Cucumbers
November babies have two birthstones: the topaz, which symbolizes calmness, and the citrine, also known for its tranquil energy. The stones both signify the serene, as well as prosperity, fortune and joy. No wonder people born in November are so cool! And both of these beautiful birthstones are more affordable than others, making a jewelry-related gift for people with November birthdays a bigger and better possibility.
At 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1st, most Americans still turn the clocks back one hour as we end “daylight saving time.” For most of us, this kicks off a stretch of lost daylight and a new darkness that will define both ends of our days for the coming months. That change can translate into a frustrating or even saddening sense of loss—loss for the good weather, the time to exercise, or even just the time to get things done. And, for many people this year, the shorter, colder days mean it’s more challenging to gather safely outdoors with friends.
Here’s how to help your kids—and yourself—embrace the time change and move toward a new season with spirits a little more lifted.
Lean into the Darkness
Though there are some movements to end the practice of turning the clocks twice per year, there is really nothing we can do to change how daylight fades as we head towards winter. What we can control, however, is how we react to the darkness. So, if we want to thrive, we should try to just lean on in.
That said, we want to acknowledge that, for some, the time change can lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in seasons. The advice we’re about to offer is not a cure, so if you think you or your child might be experiencing SAD, we’d encourage you to seek help from a medical professional.
But if your family is simply feeling a little down, try making the darkness fun. To get started, consider what special objects or rituals you could add to your home routine to make the early darkness feel special or fun. Focus on what the Danish, who repeatedly ranks as the world’s happiest people in spite of their long winters, call hygge—the art of creating a cozy home environment. Bust out fuzzy blankets, light candles or build fires if you have a fireplace. Start to enjoy warm herbal tea or cocoa in the afternoons or evenings. Aromatherapy from essential oils like bergamot, lemon, lavender, or cedar can also boost your mood.
The early darkness can also offer delightful moments when you experience it outdoors. Use lanterns or flashlights to go outside to look, listen, and feel the darkness. Little kids rarely get to gaze at the night sky when days are longer, so, if you can get outside before bed, enjoy adding a step into your bedtime routine to say goodnight to the moon and stars.
You can even see the new, early darkness as an opportunity to teach kids a valuable lesson about embracing change. That is what inspired us to create our annual Fall Lantern Walk event. Eight years in, hundreds of thousands of Tinkergarten families have made homemade lanterns and gone out at dusk on the first night after we change clocks. We come together to celebrate nature’s seasonal shifts and we sing songs, walk and just enjoy the beauty of our lights against the darkness. Visit our site to sign up to walk and receive free lantern-making directions, how-to guides, and access to special, live events.
As a parent, every time we change the clocks, it not only throws us for a loop, but it knocks our kids’ schedules out of whack, too. One of the toughest parts of “falling back” is that kids wake up really early for a few days and are not ready for bedtime. Here are our tried and true tips to help make the transition a little smoother.
1. Start ahead. If you can, move bed-time 10-15 minutes earlier each night starting three or four days ahead of the end of Daylight Saving Time. If your family is like mine and rarely plans that far ahead, just find solace in the fact that bedtime should go back to the normal hour in a few days.
2. Limit blue light. Melatonin is a hormone the body releases to help us get ready to sleep. The blue light of screens tends to block the release of melatonin and even resets the body’s natural sleep rhythms, delaying bedtime. So, now more than ever, limit screen time for the hour before bed.
3. Enjoy the late bedtime for a few days. Some kids have no problem going to bed an hour earlier, but if yours are like ours, their little bodies need a few days to transition. So, rather than fight it during the days it takes to reset, enjoy the time with soothing activities like reading an extra few stories, listening to calming music or nature sounds, or making a cozy fort to cuddle in (more hygge!).
After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Today, Meghan serves as co-founder and Chief Learning Officer of Tinkergarten, the national leader in outdoor play-based learning.
Scientists have uncovered evidence that the month you are born can play a role in how your personality develops. No, we’re not talking about your astrological sign, but rather how the season of a birth can have an impact on how babies develop.
As Jeffrey Kluger reports in Time, multiple studies have shown the effects of seasonal changes on babies, both in the womb and as newborns. For example, for babies born during the winter, when cold and flu season is in full swing, viruses are more likely to affect maternal health and infant development. Another example found that mouse pups who were born in winter had a difficult time adjusting circadian rhythms as days grew longer in summer and had poorer eating habits and lowered activity levels.
Kluger breaks down the seasons and the typical personality traits that come with each one based on scientific research. Spring babies are more likely to be optimistic, but on the downside they are also the group most susceptible to depression. Summer babies also display similar optimistic personalities, but they are often prone to rapidly flip flopping from good to bad moods. Fall babies show the lowest levels of depression and the least likely to develop bipolar disorder, but they have a tendency to be irritable. Winter babies face higher levels of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and schizophrenia, however, they also tend to be the most creative thinkers.
Does this breakdown fit your kids or your own personality? Share your thoughts in the comments.