Essential Items to Stay Warm, Bright and Hydrated During Cold Dark Dry Winters

Winter can be harsh. The cold seeps into your bones, the darkness lingers longer, and the dry air can leave your skin and body craving moisture. Staying comfortable and healthy during these months requires more than just bundling up. It means having the right items that keep you warm, brighten your environment, and maintain hydration. Here’s a detailed guide to the essentials that help me survive and thrive through cold, dark, dry winters.

Warm

I don't know about you, but I am always cold in the winter. No matter what. The following items help me stay warm and cozy even when the husband insists the thermostat stay at 68F.

• Heated Blanket: My heated blanket is an old one and not as cute and plush as the one shown here. If mine quits working, I am purchasing this one for sure.

  

  Faux rabbit fur bubble electric blanket

• Foot Massager with heat: This wonderful foot massager lives under my desk so I can keep my toes warm while working on the computer. Well, it lives under my desk except when my teenage son steals it to use after an especially grueling soccer practice.

  

  Shiatsu foot massager with heat, vibration and compression

• Neck Massager with heat: My mom gifted my husband and me this shiatsu neck massager, and the heat function is so soothing. I like to use it while my husband and I are watching a show in the evening. It warms me up and also helps me relieve the shoulder tension of the day.

  

  Shiatsu neck and back massager with heat

• Space Heater: Small and compact, I can move this space heater around easily whether I am spending time in the garden shed, working on a project in the big shed or garage, or even to have under my desk to keep my feet warm.

  

  ceramic space heater with fan

  
  

• Towel Warmer: Husband got me this towel warmer for Christmas this year and it makes it easier to get out of the hot shower knowing I have a warm robe and towel waiting for me.

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  Large towel warmer with auto shut off

  
  

• Air Purifier with Cool and Heat: Sometimes when I’m trying to fall asleep at night I can't get warm and I turn on the heat function on this air purifier that I run every night while sleeping. It has a remote so I can easily turn the heat function off from bed without getting up once I warm up.

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  Dyson Purifier Hot and Cool HP1

  
  

• Infrared Sauna: I balked when my husband told me he planned to buy a sauna. I thought it was too extravagant a purchase and we wouldn't use it enough. I was wrong wrong wrong. We use our sauna almost daily. If I had to do it over again, I would push him to get the 4 person instead of the 2-3 person so that I could lay down in it. It was shipped to us in parts and we easily put it together in one day. It does require a special outlet but my husband was able to do that wiring work himself. The company was really amazing when he called to discuss the saunas.

Bright

The darkness of winter is one of the things I dread most. It gets dark early and it can affect mood and energy levels. I like to add cozy lighting to my home especially in the winter.

• Cordless table lamps: I have four of these rechargeable table lamps. They can be moved around to brighten any space or dark corner.

  

  rechargeable cordless table lamps

• Warm glow diffuser: This is a dupe for the $300+ Young Living diffuser I have lusted after for years. This diffuser is not as big as they YL one but I love the apothecary look of it and the warm glow it gives off.

  

  glass and bamboo diffuser/humidifier

• Amaryllis: Not lighting, but still brightens up the winter gloom. Every year I purchase amaryllis bulbs to place around our downstairs. You can buy inexpensive ones from Walmart (they typically show up in stores before Thanksgiving), or order specialty bulbs from online retailers.

  

  
  

Hydrate:

Cold air holds less moisture, which means indoor heating often dries out the air further. This can lead to dry skin, chapped lips, and dehydration.

• Essential Oil Diffuser: This diffuser does double duty, adds moisture to the air and gives off a warm glow. I like to use Far and Wild Essential oils in mine and my favorite ones to diffuse in the winter are Immunity Blend, Breathe Blend and any of the Citrus oils. (code HOPEFULGARDENER20 will give you 20% off your purchase)

  

  Glass and bamboo diffuser/humidifier

• Tallow Balm: This tallow balm was gifted to me during a favorite things gift exchange this year. I have already used half the jar. I put it on my dry, cracked heels before bed, on my lips and under my eyes. It smells like honey (not beef!) and I put one in each of my kids' stockings this christmas and mailed one to my mom and sister each.

  

  organic whipped tallow honey balm

  Bonus

  
  

• Jalapeno Rose: I discovered my favorite way to warm my insides during winter thanks to a wine advent calendar that included a spicy rose. I was unable to find it for purchase so I set out to make my own. I purchase my favorite inexpensive rose, La Vieille Ferme and the night before I want to enjoy it, I open it and add a couple jalapeno slices. I can find it at my local grocery store, but I have also linked it from Total Wine and Amazon Fresh.

  

  
  

**The links provided in this post contain affiliate links and I receive a small percentage from the brand company. This does not raise the cost for you, it is paid fully by the brand. These small earnings help fund my garden endeavors and make it worth spending the time to put together posts like these.