9 things to help you cope with winter and chronic illness

This post includes affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy for more details.

One of my most popular posts ever is about managing fibromyalgia with heat and humidity. I felt eminently qualified to write that post because I basically live on the sun (if the sun had 99% humidity). I’ve never before written a post about managing chronic illness/chronic pain in the winter because winter is usually wonderfully pleasant for me. It feels semi hypocritical to write a post on dealing with winter when it’s 60 degrees outside. However, because so many people have to deal with winter I reached out to some of my readers for advice  and went far back into my cold northern childhood memories to provide me with some inspiration. I got so much feedback, I’ll be posting about winter tips this week and next.

Here’s some of my readers favorite things for coping with winter and chronic illness:

1. Warm beverages

A mug of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea can warm you up even when you’re cold on the inside. When I was a kid we would spend hours playing outside and then come in completely frozen. We’d come in and drink some hot chocolate while our extremities defrosted. I vaguely remember how painful it was, but mostly I remember how happy hot chocolate made me.

While most people with chronic illness aren’t spending hours outside playing in the snow, we do tend to get cold easier than others. Drinking a warm beverage is an easy, and cost efficient way to keep warm.

2. Fleece lined leggings

I’ve only recently discovered the delight that is fleece lined leggings. I don’t need them 11 months out of the year, but during the one month that it’s semi cold they are my favorite things. There’s something comforting in them. It’s like wearing sweatpants, only they’re socially acceptable to wear outside.

3. Heated seats

This past year was the first time I’ve had heated seats in my car. I used to think I didn’t needed them, but I fell in love when I used them in a friend’s car. After that they were my #1 requirement for my new car. My readers seem to agree with me that heated seats are amazing.

If you don’t have a built in heated seat, there’s always the option of the portable one.

4. Electric Blanket

This advice comes straight from my cold childhood with parents who kept the heat on 65 at all times. My electric blanket was the best thing I ever owned. It’s amazing how fast they can warm you up compared to regular blankets. If you’re really cold blooded you can go the extra mile and get a heated mattress pad.

5. A good support system

This one is hard because it isn’t always within our control. However, ideally everyone would have a good support system set up so that when things get hard (as they often do during bad weather), they have someone to talk to. When you’re isolated by weather and bad health, it’s easy to get stuck in your head. Everyone needs someone who can get them out of it.

When you're isolated by weather and chronic illness, it's easy to get stuck in your head. Everyone needs someone who can get them out of it. Click To Tweet

6. Warm slippers, boots, or socks

Keeping your feet warm can make a huge difference. Even in Texas my feet freeze on the cold tile during the winter, and that’s not an enjoyable feeling. I also love my fake Ugg boots. I know they aren’t fashionable anymore, but they are so warm and soft I do not care.

7. Epsom Salts

There’s nothing like a hot bath to warm you up and relax your sore muscles, and having an epsom salt bath is even better.

8. Light Therapy Lamp

Every once in a while we’ll have a couple dark and grey days in a row during the winter. Almost every time it happens I call my sister in Seattle and ask her how in the world she functions as a human being without sunlight. I’m so grumpy and tired when I don’t get sunlight on a regular basis. I know some people have found that light therapy lamps have really helped with the winter blues.

9. Hand and foot warmers

I have to admit that I haven’t used these since my high school marching band days in Michigan. I still have very clear memories of bumming them off my friends to help my freezing hands so I could play my instrument. Several of my readers said this was the most important thing in their spoonie winter tool kit.

Hopefully this provides you with a few beneficial ideas to help you get through this winter. Next week be on the lookout my post with additional suggestions. What things help to get you through the winter?