Winter is coming. And while the chilly weather might make you want to hibernate, there’s no need to give in to chattering teeth and frozen fingers. This guide is your ultimate companion to staying toasty warm, from layering like a pro to creating the perfect warm sanctuary — you don’t need to just survive the winter, you can enjoy it too.

Dress the part: Staying warm is all about strategy, and what you wear is your first line of defence against winter’s chill.

#1- BASE LAYERS: Layering is the key to staying warm in the winter, and let’s be real — hoodies and sweaters are cute, but they’re not going to save you from freezing. The magic happens within… Within the layers, that is. Wearing a thermal layer as a base for all your other warm winter clothes will do wonders for helping trapping your body heat and wick away any sweat to prevent you from being cold or wet. These are usually thin pieces of clothing — either tops or bottoms — that are worn beneath the sweaters or jeans.

WHERE TO BUY: You can find thermalwear at Marks and Spencer, Charmaine, Decathlon, Amazon, and Carina.

#2- OUTER LAYERS: Emphasizing the importance of base layers does not by any means mean neglect the outer layers. Puffer jackets trap your body heat using down or synthetic insulation. They also usually have a waterproof outer layer that protects you from any unexpected rain and harsh bone-chilling wind.

WHERE TO BUY: You can find jackets and winter accessories at Concrete, Massimo Dutti, DayOff, Zara, Naga Homme, Teeoro, and Pull and Bear.

Keep your home cozy and warm: Now that you’re sorted when you leave the house, let’s tackle indoor comfort.

#1- COZY UP: Bundling up at home is all about comfort. Picture this: you’re on the couch with your favorite show playing on the TV, but your limbs are too frozen for you to reach out and grab the remote to hit Skip Intro. The remedy? Get yourself some blankets, cushions (for insulation, duh), plush house slippers, or our personal favorite item for comprehensive coziness — Snuggs. ‘Tis truly the season to snuggle up in a cocoon of coziness.

WHERE TO BUY: You can find these cozy home essentials on ariika, Mintra, Kiliim, Morano, and LillyHome.

#2- HEATERS: When blankets aren’t enough, it may be time to bring in the big guns. A powerful heater can transform your space and relieve body stiffness from the cold.

WHERE TO BUY: You can find heaters at Noon, ElAraby, and B.TECH. Pick your electric heating pad from AthleteHome, B.TECH, Amazon and Noon. Want to go analogue? Grab microwaveable packs on Amazon, or make your own. You can also opt for ye olde hot water bottle with a soft cover to keep you nice and toasty. You can also get it in grey if you want to be warm and still rugged.

Warm up your stomach: Your internal heating system starts with what you eat and drink. It’s important to nourish ourselves with the right foods and drinks to boost our resilience against the chill (and the health issues that come up with it).

#1- GET COOKIN’: Time to spice things up — literally. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper aren’t just for flavor. They boost circulation and kick your body temperature up a notch when you need it the most. Add some turmeric in there too to strengthen your immune system.

#2- HOT DRINKS: Dust off that tin of cocoa powder. There’s nothing like warming your hands with a steaming hot mug of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, hummus al sham, or whatever your beverage of choice is. Worried the cold will get to the drink before you do? Find a mug warmer on Amazon, or splurge on these top picks from NYT.

What else to do: Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to hibernate — here’s what you can do for yourself.

#1- MOVE YOUR BODY- Get moving to generate heat. Your muscles are like tiny furnaces — contract them, and you’ll warm up fast. Just don’t go overboard, since sweating may lead to a temporary decrease in skin temperature.

#2- THINK TWICE ABOUT A WARM BATH: Tempting as it sounds, a hot bath isn’t the answer. According to JohnEric Smith, an associate professor of kinesiology, a warm bath may feel good for a moment, but you’ll be colder once you step out as your wet skin quickly loses heat.

Stay warm out there.

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