winter

The Top Things That Make Us Feel “Cozy” in Winter

When winter arrives, some people immediately declare, “Nope,” and begin emotionally shutting down until March.

A survey found that 67% of Americans wish they could straight-up hibernate like bears. And honestly, if someone opened a clinical trial for human hibernation, the waitlist would be miles long.

But since we cannot actually snooze our way through winter, 86% say they’re at least fully committed to getting “as cozy as possible,” which basically means transforming their home into a soft, warm nest and abandoning the concept of productivity.

People were given dozens of options, and these are the top 10 ways Americans say they achieve peak coziness:

Curling up on the couch
Layers of blankets, ideally enough to threaten mobility
Enjoying the quiet (because winter finally silences the lawnmowers)
Sleeping in
Making fresh tea, coffee, or hot chocolate (and maybe spiking it just a bit… right, grandma?)
Not leaving the home under any circumstances
Watching cold, rainy, or snowy weather from inside like a judgmental Victorian child
Lighting candles
Putting on relaxing music
Spending time with family

And because “spending time with family” can range from heartwarming to “why did I come here,” the next-most popular option is the far more universal: putting on thick socks.

Once people settle into maximum snuggle mode, it takes an average of 48 minutes before they feel fully relaxed. And 76% say they sleep better if they get cozy first, which is shocking information to absolutely no one.

There is no better way to spend winter than refusing to go outside, wearing socks that feel like tiny sheep, and pretending society does not exist until further notice.

It’s Science: Cold Weather Makes Us Drink More

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for a drink the second the temperature drops, congratulations, science is on your side.

A study from the University of Pittsburgh has confirmed something that feels obvious to anyone who has survived a long winter; colder weather really does make people drink more alcohol.

Researchers looked at weather patterns across cities and compared them to average alcohol consumption. What they found was a clear, direct connection between cold temperatures and higher alcohol intake. In other words, when it’s freezing outside, people are more likely to pour themselves another one.

The explanation is actually pretty simple.

Alcohol increases blood flow to the skin, which creates a warming sensation. It does not actually raise your core body temperature, but it tricks your body into feeling warmer. That cozy buzz might be why a cold night suddenly feels like the perfect excuse for a drink, whether it’s a beer, a glass of wine, or something stronger.

This helps explain why cold-weather traditions often revolve around alcohol. Think about it. Après-ski drinks, hot toddies, mulled wine, whiskey by the fire, and even tailgating in freezing stadiums all lean heavily on booze. When winter drags on, alcohol becomes part comfort, part social glue, and part survival tactic, at least mentally.

But the study also came with an important warning label.

Researchers found that people living in colder climates were more likely to develop liver disease, which is strongly linked to long-term alcohol use. That means the seasonal urge to drink can turn into a real health issue if it becomes a habit instead of an occasional indulgence.

It is a reminder that while alcohol may feel warming in the moment, it comes with consequences. The short-term comfort can easily mask long-term damage, especially in places where cold weather sticks around for months at a time. Winter blues, limited daylight, and cabin fever can all pile on, making it even easier to drink more without noticing.

None of this means you need to swear off winter drinks entirely. It just means being a little more aware of why you are reaching for them.

If it’s cold, dark, and miserable outside, that urge might be less about celebration and more about coping.

So yes, science has officially confirmed what your instincts already told you. Cold weather makes us want to drink. Just remember that staying warm and staying healthy do not always mean the same thing, even if winter tries to convince you otherwise.

People Exercise Less in the Winter Because It’s “Too Cold and Too Dark”

It’s always easy to come up with an excuse for NOT exercising, and it’s even easier in the WINTER.

In a survey, 31% of people admitted to being “less active” in the winter months.

Here are the Top 10 excuses they gave for not exercising as much:

1. It’s too cold. (As opposed to the summer, when the top excuse would probably be “It’s too hot.”)

2. It’s too dark.

3. It’s too wet.

4. It’s harder to find the motivation.

5. I worry more about safety when exercising in the dark outside.

6. I have less energy.

7. I’m more likely to pull a muscle or strain something because of the cold weather.

8. Hibernation mode kicks in… I’d rather stay in and watch TV.

9. I’m less body-conscious in the winter because we wear more layers. (These last two are probably the most honest.)

10. Costs are get higher in winter due to heating bills and paying for Christmas, so I want to save on a gym membership.

Here are four “tips” to stay motivated:

Get outdoors every day, even if it’s just for a short walk.
Explore new outdoor places, and new types of indoor exercises.
Stick to regular routines to help cement healthy habits.
And listen to upbeat music all year ’round, at least when being active. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” isn’t exactly a WORKOUT BANGER.

Six Things to Never Leave in Your Car When It’s Freezing

You’d never leave a gallon of milk in your trunk during a July heatwave, right? Well, winter has its own set of car-destroying, mess-making, regret-inducing mistakes.

Leaving the wrong stuff in your car when it’s below freezing can be just as bad – or worse – than when it’s too hot. If your car turns into an accidental walk-in freezer, bad things happen.

Here are six things you should never leave in your car when it’s below freezing.

Aerosol Cans

You know those cans of hairspray, deodorant, or air freshener rolling around your trunk? Yeah, they’re basically little pressurized time bombs in cold weather. Extreme temps can make them explode. Nothing says “good morning” like a can of Febreze blowing up in your backseat.

Canned Food

Bring those groceries in asap! Freezing temps can make the food inside expand, which can cause tiny cracks or even cause the can to swell. That’s how bacteria sneaks in and ruins Taco Tuesday. The USDA says if it looks swollen, toss it. If it doesn’t look swollen, maybe still toss it. Just don’t trust a cold can.

Eggs

Yes, eggs freeze. And no, they don’t bounce back from it. If you leave them in the car after a grocery run and they freeze and crack, they’re no longer safe to eat. Also, egg goo in your back seat is no fun at all.

Electronics

Phones, tablets, laptops – basically your entire digital life – is not a fan of the freeze. Cold weather can make batteries act weird, screens go wonky, and when they warm back up, condensation inside can fry them. So unless you want your iPad to become a very flat, very useless ice cube, bring it in.

Medication

Some medications, like insulin, can become unstable or even useless if they freeze. The rule of thumb with any frozen meds is: don’t guess, just toss – or talk to your pharmacist before you end up with more problems than you started with.

Loved Ones

This should go without saying, but just in case: don’t leave pets, kids, or anyone else in a freezing car, even for “just a sec.” If the idea of sitting in an ice-cold vehicle makes you miserable, don’t subject Grandma or the golden retriever to it. Your car turns into a walk-in freezer with seatbelts faster than you think.

This Is the Best Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in the Winter

(And before you say anything, we know it’s not technically “winter“, but it’s December and cold mostly everywhere soooooo.)

If you’re constantly arguing with your partner, roommate, or pet about how warm (or not) the house should be in winter, our government has entered the chat—and they’ve got a magic number for you.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal indoor temperature during the colder months—when you’re awake and at home. If you’re sleeping or out running errands, they suggest turning it down even lower.

Although shouldn’t they have said 67? Think of all the jokes your kids would make!

This recommendation isn’t just about comfort. It’s about saving money and energy, both of which are in short supply during peak heating season. And with electricity prices up more than 41% since 2020, that dial on your thermostat now controls more than just the temperature—it’s also managing your bank account.

Here’s something that might surprise you:

Keeping your thermostat set to a lower temperature doesn’t just reduce your energy use—it actually slows down heat loss from your home. In other words, the cooler your home is, the more heat it retains.

Science wins again.

So why is 68 degrees the golden number? It strikes a balance between comfort and efficiency. If you’re bundled up in cozy socks, a hoodie, and maybe a throw blanket or two, 68 won’t feel like the Arctic. But your heating system won’t have to work as hard, and your energy bill might actually give you a break.

If you’re one of those people who immediately cranks the heat at the first sign of a cold snap, this might be your sign to chill—literally and financially.

And hey, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Layer up, invest in some fuzzy slippers, and maybe bake some cookies (you know, for warmth). You’ll stay toasty while your furnace takes a breather.

What temp do you keep your house at in the winter? Asking for our energy bill.

The Seasons Are All Wrong – Here Are the New Dates

Hello from Smalltown, USA. It’s mid-September and a lot of leaves have fallen in my yard… but it’s still “summer.” Right.

Here’s another fun one: In mid-December, I’ll be listening to Bing Crosby and sipping hot cocoa in front of my Christmas tree… but it’ll still be “fall.” Riiight.

So since the entire world is already on fire, I propose changing the seasons. It’s time to do away with the solstice and the equinox!

If you’re blessed to live somewhere like Santa Barbara and it’s 70 degrees year round… these words are not for you. Go thank your sky daddy that you live in a land without seasons.

But for the rest of us, simple common sense should prevail. Without further adieu, here are the new dates for all four seasons.

SPRING

Spring starts as soon as Daylight Saving Time hits and we get an hour of sunlight back. I don’t care if it’s still cold, that extra sunlight = spring. But unfortunately, spring dies the moment it gets hot.

(And the definition of hot changes depending on the person and location. For older women, spring is very short because of the hot flashes, so it could end as early as mid-May.)

New Dates: March 8th – May 31st

SUMMER

Here’s a simple test to tell if it’s summer. Did you sweat while walking to your car? If so, summer. In most of the country, that’s June. May tricks you a bit into thinking you live in a nice place… until June smacks you in the face.

But as soon as it hits September, summer dies – even if it’s still hot. As soon as the first leaf hits the ground, it’s fall. Those are the rules.

New Dates: June 1st – August 31st

FALL

When you can purchase cider doughnuts, it’s fall. And it stops being fall the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday ushers in the grim reality of consumerism and Christmas, which is winter. This is the way.

New Dates: September 1st – Thanksgiving

Winter begins the moment you hear Christmas music on the radio and every day after that it’s cold. If your breath is visible and you’re reluctant to leave the house, winter is upon you.

New Dates: Black Friday – March 7th

So we are only shifting these seasons a couple weeks in either direction, I get it. But the distinction is important. Leaves are falling, football is on TV, and kids are back in school. Who honestly thinks it’s still summer?!?