Submitted by same-shit-everyday t3_zxa5kn in Maine
Hi neighbors! I moved here (Southern Maine) in 2022 and this is gonna be my first winter. In my country winter is softer than here. So basically i need some advices. I literally do not know how to deal with it :) Thank you <3
edit: i’m open to any advice. about cold or hobbies, clothes, things to do, etc.
This is great advice. Also, don’t fall too heavy on substances (including caffeine,) and consider getting a small sun lamp- I have a cheap one from Amazon that cheers me up when I get home from work at five and it’s already dark. Do not let up on these practices until May, lol. Sometimes April hits me hardest, when it seems like it should be warmer but it’s still muddy and miserable outside.
Ps- if you’re lonely, go hang out at a cafe or become a regular at your local library. My weekly librarian chats are the best, year round!
Local libraries are CLUTCH. Many have great activities and groups, and they’re also just a great place to sit and work or relax.
Can you tell me the name of the sun lamp I'm depressed af
Just do a product search on the Amazon website for Sun Lamps they have many different brands and styles and ranges in price.
I don't think you need an extra lamp in may (or even really much past end of march given the amount of sunlight in those months is the same as the summer) but otherwise I think these are all good suggestions
To add: Don't bundle up into your warmest clothes the first time it gets cold in the fall. Your body will acclimate (at least a little) to colder temps. If you never experience cold your body won't acclimate and you'll just be cold all the time.
Once you've acclimated some you'll probably find that you don't need your heaviest jacket like you thought you would.
Finally sitting around and bitching about the cold just makes you more miserable. It irritates everybody around you too.
thank you so much i’m kinda fall/winter person and this comment is very helpful 💕
Glad to hear. I was thinking more philosophically/mental health. But all the comments about layers are absolutely true and essential. It took me years to convince my wife to try a vest. She didn’t understand how a vest could keep her extremities warm.
Get a vest. They work wonders!
A happy light helps soooooo much, definitely second that.
There are very affordable ones out there, much cheaper than the hours of therapy that are also beneficial!
I think my husband's cost $25 on Amazon.
>Also having good dark time activities: board games, video games, books, and such.
Depending on where in Southern Maine, game stores, some book stores and social clubs have weekly open game nights. Diversions Puzzles And Games (South Portland ME, Portsmouth and Somersworth NH), Woodford's (Portland) for example.
Human contact is always good in the dark
This.
In addition: "there is no bad weather; only inappropriate clothing."
Budget some money for warm coats, boots, socks, etc. The cheap stuff that looks the same... is not the same.
This also goes for indoor things like blankets, curtains, and slippers.
This is best advice I've seen about winter in awhile
Edit: was at the chiros when typing this and had double vision from electric stim
Maine winters are no joke. Mental health is real!
To add to the seasonal affective disorder: vitamins D and B are almost a MUST to add to your diet in winter in Maine. Just buy the supplements and make sure that the B vitamins have B12 and B6. Also, a sun lamp helps too. Getting outside as much as possible (once your blood warms up lol) is also imperative. Exercise. Anything to get endorphin and dopamine production up!
SAD is very real in Maine. It’s rough, but it can be mitigated. Just start in November 😂
Layers. And get outside. It always seems dull and depressing sitting inside telling yourself the weather isn't good enough to go out. Just go outside and do whatever you like to do in the summer. Once you start moving you'll realize it's not that bad and pretty refreshing. That's the biggest hurdle.
Sound advice. I walk the dog most days and usually doesn't suck as much as I think it's going to.
Wool socks and a wool hat will be super helpful. Splurge a little on a good shovel, and I really recommend crampons or spikes for your shoes because it gets icy :) I will also always stand by owning some heated blankets!
To clarify, I assume you’re talking about microspikes like these, not climbing crampons which wouldn’t be appropriate to use “around town”. I just don’t want someone new to Maine winters thinking the snow and ice are that bad! 🤣
Don't forget your ice pick!
For the purposes of dealing with the cold the number one piece of advice I can give is layers. You will be warmer with two sweaters and a thermal shirt than just a T-shirt and a winter coat. Wear a hat I suggest just a wool knit cap as I find large winter hats too warm. If you work or recreate outside I suggest some long John’s (thermal tights) or at least lined pants. Most importantly get a pair of good boots. Personally I’d stay away from “snow” boots or other traditional winter boots. Invest in a pair of “muck” style boots. Doesn’t have to be that brand, but something similar. Check out your local tractor supply and you should be able to get all the winter gear you need. As far as living and supporting your well being in the winter the first thing I can suggest is doing stuff outside. Personally my gf and I do a lot of snowshoeing and ice fishing and we both work outside all year. Learn to enjoy being out in the winter weather. If you dress right you won’t be cold. Plus if you’re active you’ll sweat through at T-shirt in 20 degree weather. The other thing I suggest is using the increased inside time to catch up on things you don’t have as much time for during the warmer months. Practice an instrument, take up embroidery, play board games with friends. Also this may not be applicable to all but depending on what you do for a living try maybe designing your work lifestyle to reflect the seasons. Because I work outside a lot and have some flexibility in my job I work more hours during the warmer months and less during the coldest four (dec-mar) I’ve found that having more time for me in the winter keeps me happier. I even sleep more in the winter than in the summer. It sounds corny but one of my favorite parts of living somewhere with a climate that ranges so greatly is that I allow my mind, body, and thus lifestyle to fluctuate with the seasons.
thank you so much! this comment changed so many things for me ❄️✨
I think the boot suggestion really depends on the person. I have traditional snow boots that are good quality that keep my feet warm and dry, muck style boots, and my feet would freeze to death because they don't have the same insulation. Muck boots to me are more for wet conditions. Maybe if you have to go shovel real quick but not for long-term outside activities. Again, it really depends on the person. I have a really hard time keeping my feet warm in the winter, so super insulated boots are all I can do.
We own a farm up north and I wear much boots with good socks when it’s in the negatives. The winter ones are warm
That's why I said it really depends on the person. Multiple sicks, 1 sock, good socks, or not, my feet personally just can't stay warm in them. Mine barely stays warm in highly rated insulated winter boots. I just wanted it to be known that what works for one doesn't always work for everyone. It also depends on what you're doing in the shoes, when your up working and walking around your feet will stay warmer no matter what shoe vs. Just going grocery shopping for 20 minutes
Fair enough. I agree whatever works/ is in budget will do fine.
I love my muck boots. But the one downside for me is that they aren't great for longer hikes / rougher terrain. If I'm gonna take my dog on a 5 mile hike, the mucks just don't have the support in the arches and ankles. Love em for just about everything else though.
Both Muck and Bog (the brand names) make insulated boots intended for winter weather. My Bogs are rated for something stupid like -50°. I bought some heavy socks to wear with them going into the first winter I had them, but only wore them once because the boots themselves were more than enough.
Allen's Coffee Brandy
Take vitamin d supplements
are those really that important? because i used vitamin c supplements and i didn’t feel the difference. i don’t have enough knowledge about vitamins so if it is necessary, i could make a research about supplements.
I’m a lifelong southern Mainer; people always talk up vitamin C but it’s only ever given me an upset stomach. Vitamin D is where it’s at. I take a couple every day and a couple extra if I feel like I’m coming down with something. I used to have what felt like seasonal depression but I don’t anymore.
Your body produces vitamin D, but only through sun exposure. I can't cite the source, but I've read that anywhere north of Atlanta and the sun angle and duration aren't sufficient for humans to produce the needed vitamin D in winter months. We are very far north of Atlanta...
I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency a few years back after complaining at my annual check up about feeling low energy and fuzzy headed. It took a few weeks, but after vitamin D supplements I started feeling much better and clearer headed. Since then I supplement every fall through spring (as a runner, I get plenty of sun in the summer)
Yes! I start taking vitamin D late September, I think it’s worth it for sure
Vitamin D helps your body use Calcium (basically doubles the amount you can absorb). Your body produces it by exposure to sunlight, thus the recommendation in the winter months.
Vitamin C helps you to avoid scurvy.
It's great advice and really important. Vitamin D isn't a typical vitamin we get from eating. It's more like a hormone our body creates when exposed to the sun. Supplementation is probably necessary for most of us in Maine, but especially if you have much melanin in your skin.
Yes, really important. It makes a big difference. Two things about Vitamin D: If you can go the extra mile, get a blood test to check your (pre- supplement) Vit D level. Then start with a daily 1,000-2,000 dose.
DON’T take Vit D at night. It messes with your sleep.
Cold kills. Don’t head into the woods without an experienced hiking/fat biking/xc skiing buddy. I think the white mountains are at about 22 hiker deaths this year, so far. The most recent were deaths due to exposure/hypothermia because of poor preparation and catastrophic inexperience.
Another adage is that cotton kills. Wear layers that are breathable and wick moisture away from your skin. Cotton holds it against your skin and can cause hypothermia.
I love winter hiking, hate dressing for it. Can't find "snowpants" I like to fit my fat ass
Snowboarding snow pants. The general style for* them has always been more baggy fashion-wise, which leaves ample room for folks who are hauling absolute wagons out back.
Whiskey wood stove and wool socks
The dubs
Cribbage
Good winter attire makes all the difference!
Bomber hat, wear layers, drive slow. Winter is relatively mild in Southern Maine. Nothing like living up North.
If you have kids, make sure NOT to put bulky coats or jackets on under their car seat straps. If you get into a car accident, the coats will compress and make their straps too loose, which can have tragic results. Babies can be buckled up inside the house and covered with blankets, then carried out to the car already in their seats. Toddlers can take off their coats for a few seconds while buckling up, then put the coat back on backwards unzipped. If you have to loosen the car seat straps at all to accommodate the coat, it's too thick to go under the car seat straps safely. Lots of folks from warmer climates were never taught this because it wasn't relevant to them, so I figured I would share just in case!
No hate to you moving here, but it blows my mind how many people posts asking how to, "deal," with winger because they just moved here and don't know what to expect. Google and research before you move. Look up average Temps the last few years for your area so you have an understanding of what to expect cold wise. Make sure you have a snow brush for your car if you drive. A shovel, salt for walkways is a plus as well, and then most importantly just have warm clothes. A sweatshirt and sneakers aren't going to keep you comfortable when it's 10°f out. Winter boots and a winter jacket at least, and hats and gloves as well. Also, if you aren't used to driving in the snow, don't risk getting into an accident if you don't have the confidence to go out in a storm. If you do NEED to go out, take is slow. Let the ass holes in their lifted Ford trucks speed by you, and you just keep on your way lol
actually i searched those things but i didn’t expect to be here until winter so i didn’t take any winter items with me. and i didn’t know that wet hair can actually freeze lol things like that is suprising me every day and it is hard to learn everything by using google :( thank you
Where are you from? Lol, pretty much anything that's wet can freeze when temperatures get below 32°f If you don't have warm cloths and winter items, you definitely need to go get them because it does get cold. Snow and ice will depend on where in the state you live, and you can keep an eye on the weather forecast to prepare for storms. I suppose some other valid info would be not to let your home get too cold. If heat isn't run, your pipes can and will freeze, causing a bunch of issues with your water. Fun fact, if your nose is runny or your eye lashes are wet from crying or something, it can freeze just like your wet hair, lol The cold does get cold enough that it can hurt your face too. Gloves and a winter hat are a lofe saver. Don't try and clean snow off your car or shovel a walk way without them. I'll also repeat to be careful when driving. If you aren't comfortable driving in snowy, wet, icey conditions, then don't do it. Black ice can be very dangerous because you can't see it on the roads. If you have any specific questions, let me know. Stay warm and stay safe
wow thank you so much! i’ll keep these things on my mind!
Whoa. That's...wow. So when you say "how do I deal with winter " you don't mean "how can I have fun during winter". I don't think I can help you with stuff like "I didn't know my hair could freeze" because I just don't think about things like that anymore.
If you didn't take any winter items with you, you must get some. There are several discussions in this forum on what you need as far as clothing and general winter stuff like shovels, spikes, salt, etc.
Your username does not apply anymore because you're going to have new experiences every day. Treat every day like that and start thinking about things with weather in mind.
I'm actually open to any advice
Yeah be careful not to stare to long. Or spend to much time outside. With the cold temps here your eyes could get frozen shut. Be careful out there
not funny
Idk I thought it was pretty funny 🤣🤣 not completely wrong either, if it got cold enough that technically could happen
You're talking to someone from a country near the equator who's never spend a winter in Maine and is earnestly asking for advice. Repeat: not funny. Pretty much the definition of being an asshole.
I answered OP's question and commented multiple times to help them. Also, if you read through, they HAVE been through a winter and seen snow, just not this cold. Also, yes, it is possible for it to get so cold someone's eye could freeze its just not going to be as likely for it to get that cold in Southern Maine.
Lot's of folks come to Reddit to ask these questions to get a more personal response to their inquiry. Google results for questions are SEO'd to fuck and back you'll basically get the most general of general answers half the time.
But you can still get basic ideas from online and then ask peoples experiences. I'm saying people come on and ask with absolutely no knowledge what so ever, like OP didn't even know wet hair could freeze. I didn't comment to be judgemental, read through the rest of the comments... however, some people do need to just take some time and research BEFORE making a huge life changing move, not after once winters already here. OP also has absolutely no stuff for a winter, which they could have been mildly prepared for if they researched and reached out before hand not last minute once we already had a huge storm.
I want to be more clear… I had snowy winters before but they were not like this much cold and icy. I know basic things for preparing winter, i didn’t get any winter items with me so i went to buy new things at last days of fall, i have 3 jackets and 2 boots, a lot of hoodies, 2 pair of gloves, etc… But i’m still freezing… I thought that i didn’t get the good quality ones for this winter. Because i wasn’t expecting that much cold, and i couldn’t imagine the temperatures because i have never experienced it. Because of all of these, i thought i did something wrong and i wanted to figure it out. I’m open to any advice because of that. I thought those things are enough for winter but apparentaly no.
OP, you're completely fine, I'm talking in generally because I've seen quite a few posts and comments of other people moving here from warm states and have absolutely no idea what to expect. But, anyone can get some info from Google and then ask other things they may be missing. You've gotten a lot of good feedback in here, and I hope it's been helpful to help you have a warmer, safer winter.
Plan a vacation in February, the weather here is awful and you’ll appreciate a break from it in the middle
Winter tires for your care are a must in my opinion.
Also keep a safety kit in your car for emergencies. Mine is a 0* sleeping bag, snow shovel, some sand/rock salt mix, emergency flagging and stick, flashlight, car battery jump pack, spare phone charger, a tow strap, energy bars,dry change of warm clothes, wool sweater, spare snow boots, hat and gloves.
A woman an Buffalo died lost in her car just this last storm. I have used parts of this kit several time over the years to either help myself or someone else.
Otherwise dress in layers, get a good winter coat and boots, keep an eye on the weather, and get outdoors on the clear days to see the sun. This can be a very special time of year and a beautiful time to see the rocky coat without tourists.
i do not have a car yet, but i’m gonna keep this in my mind. thank you a lot
Maine’s public transport system is pretty sparse so mostly people end up needing cars eventually (unfortunately).
For yourself avoid cotton base layers in winter. Cotton don’t insulate if it gets damp. Wool or synthetics are better.
My winter layers are usually thick wool/alpaca socks, muk boots, base layer thermals and then pants. Shirt and sweatshirt/sweater under either winter down puff jacket or thick carthart jacket. Mittens and Winter hat. Also. Buff, basically a polar fleece piece that goes around your neck. If I am going out and wearing nice cloths for work or a party, I always have at least the outer layers and boots with me in a backpack or in the car just in case. Yaktraks/crampons are metal grips that help you from slipping on ice, they are helpful to have too especially when it rains then freezes.
Southern Maine has lots of fun indoor activities like Arcadia the arcade bar, roller skate rinks, bowling allies, your local library and so own. Learning ice skate, ski and snow shoe is tons of fun and helps you stay active!
In Southern Maine you can get away with some good aggressive all season tires if you get an AWD vehicle, i.e Subaru AND you become proficient with snow driving. You can never go too slow in the snow.
Keep the glorious summer that comes back around in mind.
Get used to dry skin. I cannot lotion or drink enough water to make it better.
Try getting a humidifier. This might help.
Yes! I can't survive the dry winter air without one. Especially at night. If I don't sleep with a humidifier this time of year my sinuses dry out and it's so uncomfortable.
Get a clothes drying rack and set it up with damp laundry overnight. Saves energy too.
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Since I want to remain anonymous, I would like to answer this question as “the south part of Europe”
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Ok so, i didn’t know how cold -2.2 F could be, i didn’t know wet hair can actually freeze, things like that. And i still do not know what kind of weather and how cold should i expect
We've actually had a very mild winter so far. Generally this time of year we should be hanging around the 20s or 30s during the day and in the 10s or so at night. January and February are typically are coldest months though where we can sometimes get down into the -20s at night and maybe peak at 0 during the day. This is somewhat dependent on your location in the state too, the coast and southern part of the state tend to be a bit less harsh than inland.
wow -20s must be really cold, i’m gonna prepare for that weather
Its pretty cold. Its cold enough any wet or dampness on your skin (think inside your nose, wet hair) will freeze pretty quickly. Frostbite can set in very quickly at these temperatures, so you just need to be careful being outside for too long when its that cold.
When I was in high school, I used to do cross country ski racing on the school team. There were many times when it was -15 or so outside, and all we got to wear was some long underwear and nylon speed suits. That was bitter cold. The technology for all that stuff has changed a lot in the last 20 years and its probably not so bad now, but as a kid, it was sometimes so cold it hurt.
It has been very mild this year, I have a feeling we’ll make up for it late January-February.
Ahh, icicles hanging from my beard, that's a proper winter!
The best attitude to have is to "embrace the suck". Yes stuff gets less convenient but we all get through it together and bond over it.
Hair freezes, your nose runs into your facial hair or onto your upper lip. Skin dries out, cracks and bleeds. Power goes out. Cars get stuck, or, at a minimum, take extra time to defrost. Potholes and frost heaves appear. Mailboxes get run over by plows.
But you can set up a bird feeder. They attract squirrels and bears too, FWIW. Go ice skating-- some towns have outdoor rinks if you don't know how to judge a frozen lake for safety. Wander through a summer tourist spot like OOB and enjoy the solitude.
Why did you move here without knowing that?
Since this is the coldest place I've ever seen in my life, I can't imagine how cold it would be without living in such weather conditions for a while. Right??
Right, but what I'm asking is how did you not find out basic information about a place you were going to move to?
Do you really think that when moving from one country to another, I did not search about where I would live?
Yes, it seems so, because to came to Maine, a place known for the harsh winters and are now asking us how to deal with it because you didn't know it would be this cold.
nevermind, you didn’t get my point. You are right im that person you can sleep well tonight
Then switch to bitching about the bugs.
Yup, the endless loop.
When going outside: layers layers layers, hat and gloves make a big difference. Some sort of ice grippers for your shoes for when it inevitably gets icy.
Find some outdoor activities to do, even if it's just for short stints, it can be quite beautiful. Make an excuse to get out, go to a new resturant/cafe, etc.
When it's blizzardy use it as an excuse to cuddle up at home, make comfort foods, wear pajamas all day, binge Netflix, read, and other self care type activities depending on your tastes.
For the car: ice scraper, blankets, bag of kitty litter (traction aid) stuff like that. I also carry a heavy older coat for those times when you go out with a lighter coat, but might get stuck in the cold. Keep the washer fluid topped up, if you end up driving in slush/salt mix the windshield gets dirty quick and will eat up washerfluid quickly.
If you're not used to driving in snow slow down, do not feel the need to keep up with the idiots, if needed pull over and let them by.
The biggest problem with Maine winters, to me as a lifelong Mainer, are not the cold weather or the storms but the lack of light. The best way to defeat this is to get outside, but if you are not accustomed to the weather, it can be shocking, especially in the coldest parts of winter which we are about to enter.
Your best bet to stay warm is to dress in layers, as many people have mentioned. You want a nice jacket/parka that is well insulated and has an outside layer that is resistant to wind and rain/melting snow. LL Bean, Cabelas, North Face, Columbia are all great options. Visit the LL Bean Factory outlet in Freeport for decent deals on jackets. Another place to check out is Mardens and Renys. They have sales all the time on winter gear.
Boots are another important thing to keep your feet warm. While they may not be the most stylish, Muck and Bog winter boots are far and away the best things to own for cold, snowy winters. LL Bean 'duck boots' suck. They are not warm, even the insulated ones aren't that great. What is nice about Mucks or Bogs are they are completely water resistant and they keep your feet warm, even with a lighter pair of socks. That being said, a nice pair of warm wool socks will keep your feet warm. But, I noticed if I wear them my feet tend to sweat--and sweat is your biggest enemy in the witner. So I prefer wearing a ligher pair of socks and more cold resistant boots.
You also want to get some warm gloves. Everyone is a bit different here, but what I find the most effective is to get a thin pair of cotton liner gloves (they are pretty cheap at Walmart, just look like thin little cloth gloves) and then wear a heavier pair of warmer gloves over them on really cold days.
Winter is hard but mentally prepare yourself for an even worse spring. Mud season seems to last forever. You will see spring on social media in other places but look out to 40 degree rain and feel like summer will never come.
Yeah there'll be "false spring" for a day in March that's absolutely gorgeous but it'll be another two months of not only dreariness, but of paying heating bills.
Lots of good advice already but here’s one I don’t see mentioned too often. Change all of your indoor lighting to warmer bulbs, or add mood lighting (salt lamps, led light strips that you can control the color of, lava lamps, etc) having some cozy lights and candles to turn on at blue hour has created a ritual that makes the coming dark bearable.
Become ornery and bitch about it until mud comes, then bitch about that. Bitch and repeat.
Get a lotta road salt for your walkways and driveway
But if you have pets, make sure to get a pet-safe kind!
Learn how to walk on ice. I’ve seen a lot of people fall because they don’t adjust their gait on ice. Smaller steps, keep your center of gravity over your feet, think penguins. Keep sunglasses nearby. There is a lot of low light this time of year which is hard on the eyes, especially when it reflects on water or snow.
Walk like a penguin, it sounds dumb but when you get the hang of it you'll know.
Wet ice, at or above freezing, is way more slippery than properly frozen ice at temps well below 32F.
Thanks, i really need to learn how to walk on ice, because i fell down on ice 8 days ago, and i’m still trying to walk again. it hurts
It’s so painful. I’ve been on slippery ground with bad shoes and seriously contemplated if it was worth getting up again.
yeah, i can since 9 months old lol and now i can’t walk for 8 days, it’s hurting me and my feelings. I miss to be at outside :( I’ll never go to outside without good quality shoes…
I fell on ice last year and immediately bought new boots. I highly recommend Keens and some microspikes like others have mentioned.
Look up frostbite info. Read the weather warnings on your phone daily, they will indicate how long before frostbite sets into uncovered skin. Sometimes it's as little as 15 minutes.
Get some shoe spikes.
oh definetly i will
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Layers. Lots of layers. Especially if you're thin as a twig.
Baby steps on the ice, even if you have good boots. This is a rule of thumb that can help prevent slips, falls, and potential concussions.
When buying boots, waterproof them with waterproofing spray before using them. They should be sprayed and then sat outside for 24 hours.
For the love of God, buy a snowblower, if you are able to. Electric, not gas--less hassle and they run better. The EGO brand sells very good and durable snowblowers. If you can't get one this season, buy them near the tail-end of summer, earlier than that if possible. People snatch them up come fall and when they do you will be SOL.
Also, buy shovels. You should have one regular shovel (for yourself; buy more depending on how many people live with you, if any), a pusher shovel, and a sleigh shovel. Snowblower should be used if the snow exceeds 6 inches (4-5 if wet and heavy), but that's my general rule of thumb.
And finally...go sledding. Sledding is very fun on big steep hills. Even more fun with a friend!
Welcome to Maine, enjoy your first winter!
Thank you so much ✨i hope i’ll enjoy it
If it's snowing and you need to go anywhere, plan to be up/leave earlier than usual, then add another 15 minutes of buffer time to that early start. Will save you loads of frustration to just be prepared.
Hibernate until spring comes around
Embrace winter by finding hobbies and ways to enjoy it. Although I must admit once March comes around I'm ready for the warm weather myself
Buy a good shovel! You will want something with a solid handle and metal scoop to break ice. Cheap plastic ones will not do this effectively.
Enjoy the outside but also look into indoor sports! Swimming, basketball, fitness classes, Pickleball. If there’s a sport you enjoy there’s probably a venue that offers it. You can also check with local Ys, town recreational sites and XL sports.
Get out there and become comfortable with it
You picked a good starter winter! It's been pretty warm, and relatively snow-free so far this year.
Learn to dress in layers, if you don't already. This helps you adapt, wherever you find yourself. We keep our house fairly cool (62-65F / 16.6-18.3C,) but I have friends who keep their houses at ~78F (25.5C,) and it'd be misery if I couldn't pull off a few layers.
I rely on O'Keefe's Working Hands to keep my skin from cracking. I got some Weleda Skin Food for xmas, and that seems pretty good as well, though its twice the price (or more) of Working Hands.
Long johns!!!!!!!!! I used to live in Maine and when I moved down south I wondered why I was so cold during comparatively mild winters, I didn't have long johns/thermals on under my clothes.
Everyone has already given you great, practical advice but I would like to add that your mindset can be really important. I’ve lived here my whole life but never been one for winter sports. So I tend to think of winter as my time to indulge every hobby or craft I just don’t have time for the rest of the year.
I pack so much travel and social time in during the spring/summer/fall/holidays that I’m very happy to have 3-4 months to stay home and read books, watch movies, cook all the new recipes I have bookmarked, do some sewing, deep cleaning/organizing, extra time for going to the gym.. so even if you don’t fall in love with the snow and doing winter sports, it’s still a really peaceful time to be here.
Practically, go to ll bean and get yourself nice winter gear. If you can’t afford that, you should be able to find plenty of warm gear in thrift stores or maybe Reny’s on Congress street. Turtleneck under wool sweaters, warm socks, warm boots, thermal shirts, flannel lined jeans or roomy trousers to wear leggings underneath. Get some gloves if you do a lot of walking but don’t spend a lot and buy extra pairs as it’s so easy to misplace one glove. I’d pick this stuff up asap because it’s actually been a very mild winter so far and it’s about to get much colder. Also a heated blanket is so nice in the morning and at night. Slippers are good too :)
How to deal with maine winters...
Be careful not to bundle up too much! Hypothermia is a real thing. Too many layers and your body sweats if your doing even the lightest activity, and can make you cold super quick. If that happens, change out of them, dry off first.
Eat some soup..drink..consume..ingest? Soups are great, and a nice staple food im gonna eat for suppa' is Tomato Soup (adding some cheeseits in the soup ofc) and Grilled Cheese and watch some shows. 🍜🍲
I always have studded winter tires, every winter i put them on around mid December as extra security when driving, and take them off around april(?) And put on summer tires... Even though every year winter seems to be getting pushed back more into warmer months...
Salt/sand your walkways/driveways after you shovel/plow/snowblow yourself out of the house. If your renting the landlord should but lets face it, they usually dont.
And a big one for me, cleats/ice grips you put on your shoes, to help with traction on ice when walking around outside to the store.. Just take them off before entering a location, can scrape the floor and be slippery for you too.
Enjoy the lovely snow covered mornings and sun shining through.. Its great.
Make sure you give yourself extra time when traveling. Have backup heat, food, blanket in your vehicle and home, just in case.
Backup batteries/charging device.
Slow down, walking or driving. Animals can appear out of no where. 😁 humans or deer.
Dress warm.
Find a hobby or a sport to get you outdoors.
Layers. Lots of layers. Also a warm hat and a pair of gloves. Either that or staying in and reading a book instead.
Go start your car and run it indefinitely until climate change takes hold.
Barring that try and find some winter activities be they indoors at a 2nd location or outdoors.
I like the idea of a happy light, I always say I’m going to get one but I never do. Layers for sure. On super cold days I do cotton socks with huge fluffy socks on top, then leggings and a tank top, jeans/sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt with a big sweater on top then obviously ski pants, coat, scarf hat and gloves. I use the little cotton gloves with waterproof gloves on top. That might be overkill for some people but I don’t handle the cold well at all
No idea where you are staying, but plastic on older windows can do wonders for a draft. Also if you are staying at a house instead of an apartment, shoveling snow up against the house can help with insulation. You can actually see where heat escaping the house will melt back the banks you built up.
My advice..go somewhere warmer lol. Winter sucks even with winter activities.
Don't know if you are in an apartment or a house. But you might need basics like a snow shovel and a covered bucket of salted sand (which you can often get sand from the local public works department in my town we are allowed at least one 5 gallon bucket per storm.) Make sure to clear the snow from your walkways and sand any icy spots. You will be glad you did.
If you drive... you should have emergency gear in your car in the winter. Flashlight, warm blankets, maybe spare coat/gloves, jumper cables, folding shovel. That kind of stuff. If you go off the road in a storm sometimes the car won't run and you might need to shelter in place. My husband and I always joke that in Maine when you go out.. you don't dress for the drive in the warm car to the warm office... you dress for the walk back to civilization after you skid off the road. So we keep spare gear in our trunk in the winter. oh.. and a phone charger if you don't already keep one in your dashboard.
It's good for mental health to have a winter hobby. I know that lots like outdoor sports.. even in winter.. but for me I'm too old for that crap now. (The orthopedic told me I'm not allowed to fall on my replacement knee because it would shatter my kneecap... I've never made it through a day of skiing or skating without falling.. so I gave them up) But I still have inside hobbies that I focus on. I don't do the TV thing. But books, crafting, cooking and baking... they make me happy... especially if it's storming out. So find your happy.
The sun lamp thing is a really good idea for nearly everyone who lives north of the 37th parallel. Because of the angle of the sun in the winter we don't get enough UVB to get our bodies to make the Vitamin D it needs even if we are outside all day. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. But the lamps are generally lower cost now and worth trying to see if it helps.
Wool socks, hats, sweaters... (if you can stand wool some people can't) Layers! Layers, Layers.. Invest in some decent long underwear if you are going to be doing outside sports. Merino wool or some people swear by silk... but they can be expensive. Even plain old waffle weave long johns are better than nothing. I don't think they work as well once they are wet but fine on days when that's not an issue.
If your house is cold or drafty... then I prefer a heated mattress pad over a blanket at night because heat rises. The cats like both so they don't care. ;-)
Having been here basically my whole life I'm sure that there are things I do automatically that people from away would wonder about. But time and experience will help you decide how you prefer to handle things.
i live in a house, my landlord put a nice heavy showel outside but i still need salted sand… and i don’t have car so i need to use public transport which is better i think… i don’t have to worry about car in winter. I can try the sun lamp but i want to wait a little bit. i don’t have a problem with sunlight right now. I tried to get everything i need for winter, and i was thinking these clothes are enough for feel warm, but apparently they are not. So I’m gonna go to shop, and i’ll keep all that knowledge in the comments section on my mind… And about heated mattress pad, i REALLY need one of those. It is freezing at night… Thank you so much 😊
oh yeah.. heated mattress pad is the bomb... nothing like slipping into that already warm bed... ;-)
Take vitamin D3 pills. I've had a couple of doctors tell me that pretty much everyone in the northeast is D3 deficient.
Coffee Brandy if you want to blend in with the locals
Learn to layer- that was a huge thing for me when we moved here in 2019. Layering helps a lot. I drive a Subaru- and invested in winter tires that I use November- April.
Spring forward, Fall back. When you set the clock ahead, start wearing longjohns or lined jeans. Stop when you set the clocks back.
Many people forget to add layers to their bottom half. They just throw on an extra sweater. Long johns will help keep the rest of you warm.
Also, scarves are amazing, too.
Prozac+ Xanax
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Keep close eyes on the weather forecast. Our weather changes frequently and radically. Find ways to be prepared for cold inclement weather such as a gasoline generator if you lose power, nice snow shovels, nice boots, nice gloves, and a nice scarf. If lots of snow is on the horizon, shovel out your driveway at least once during the storm.
Drink.
Find your best local sledding hill and get sledding. Being some hot chocolate in a thermos (with alcohol in it if you're anything like me) and bomb that hill repeatedly.
I'm from here but hate the cold. Snow sports (sledding, snow boarding) make it much more tolerable
I just booked a February trip to Quebec. Maine will feel tropical after that.
Have a small emergency kit ready! Candles, flashlights, extra blankets, maybe a battery powered heating pad, some bottled water and a stash of food that doesn't need refrigeration or cooking (crackers, jerky, trail mix, canned meat, etc). An external battery for your phone, some arts and crafts projects, a jigsaw puzzle and some card games can help you keep your sanity if you get snowed in, lose internet or lose power.
Also, sealing up drafty windows is so helpful. You can get the cellophane window insulator kits for cheap, but they can be kind of fiddly to apply, and might mess up the paint when you take them down. You could also get thicker curtains for winter, or if you live in an apartment and have a budget a couple of command hooks and a cheap lap blanket works OK, too.
Get yourself a good pair of boots. Like invest some money into them. Should be a good bit above the ankle, waterproof, and insulated. Take care of them and they will last for years. This will be your primary footwear for most of winter.
cold weather brings out lot of nice people out there mate. enjoy
Similar to what others have posted but:
Dress in layers. Between going from the cold outside to the heated indoors and simply the changing changing outdoor temps, wearing layers lets you adjust easily to different temperatures/weather conditions.
Invest in quality winter weather gear. Jacket, hat, gloves, boots, socks. Quality makes a difference in comfort level when it's cold out. Good gear will help you stay warm and dry.
Stay active. It can be tempting to huddle indoors during the winter, but it's important to stay active and get some fresh air. Take advantage of the winter activities available in Maine, such as walking outdoors, skiing, snowshoeing, or ice skating.
Keep your car prepared: In case of emergencies or unexpected weather, it's important to make sure your car is prepared for winter driving. Keep a winter emergency kit in your car, including blankets, a flashlight, and other supplies. Make sure your car is equipped with winter tires and keep the gas tank full to avoid getting stranded.
Keep your home prepared. Keep your front steps salted, for example!
Take care of yourself. Keep a regular sleep schedule, get outside during daylight, exercise and avoid cabin fever. Eat right. Yada yada.
Embrace it. The seasons and weather are one thing we all have in common.
Warm socks and a hat. Dress in layers that can come on or off as the weather needs. Have an extra set of winter clothes in the car in case of emergency. Enjoy the weather!
Buy some base layers to wear underneath your clothes, along with your winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf. That will help keep you warmer when you go outside. I could not get through the winter without them.
Heavy jacket for colder days, thermals if you have bad insulation or work outside. You should be fine. But if you see someone wearing shorts and a t-shirt in January, just don’t be like that person. No one likes that person.
Did you happen to move there from RI?
no, i’m from another country
Welcome!
(This is why I asked https://www.narragansettbeer.com/ )
This winters been fairly tame, so far. Except the big wind storm we had.
Start drinking. It's most of what we do up here
Oh no… it isn’t even cold yet… ⛄️
ahaha i see, but in my country if we had this temperatures, we probably could go to a bar and celebrate it ❄️🌨️ min temp i have ever experienced is around 15F
Volunteer to help the elderly or housebound- it shouldn’t be too hard to find a local resource about this in whatever town you live in. Gets you out, good karma. improves someone’s quality of life and can be a potential life saver for them.
Put a small shovel in the back of your car along with extra wiper fluid and an extra set of gloves.
Don’t slam on the breaks in the snow. Don’t go too fast in the snow. Don’t ride someone’s butt in the snow.
Clean off the top of your car before driving or you’ll get pulled over and fined.
I'm a huge fan of tabletop games, my wife and I play magic the gathering and other board games.
Try to find some hobbies that you can enjoy inside in the warmth. Also, if you go outside for the day, maybe wear some long johns under your pants.
There's always drinking too! Plenty of excuses to go over a friend's house and have a few 😁
Finding activities for kids that aren't outdoors is the toughest really. We put a 7ft trampoline in the kids playroom with the netting all around it and then we take the outdoor saucer swing and hang it from the living room doorway using the biggest C clamps that Home Depot sells, then also rely on lots of crafts, movies, baking, and dance parties.
Move back
depending where you live if you use a well for water it could freeze 🥶
Seriously? I've never heard this. I have a well and it's never frozen. Not even when it gets down to -30F.
edit: knock on wood
What winter? It's going to be 50 fucking degrees for most of the next two weeks.
All these winter sport suggestions, but where is the winter?
You ice fish now.
Get a heated jacket. Life changing.
I just moved to Southern Maine, too! This is my first winter here. Welcome!
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i don’t know, my account is brand new… i didn’t see anything and i just wanted to ask something… i was trying to use this app correctly. sorry if i bother you
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weakenedstrain t1_j1z4lzm wrote
Winter sports/activities help lots. Snowshoeing, skiing (xcountry or downhill), skating, sledding. Having a reason to enjoy what little daylight we get makes winter not just a chore, but a benefit.
Also having good dark time activities: board games, video games, books, and such. If you can make winter a time to look forward to for its unique benefits it’s less of a sad time and something to look forward to.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is also a real thing. If you find yourself just down for no apparent reason, consider getting a sun lamp to put on your desk or workspace during the day.
Welcome and good luck!