Tufts Blogs

Settling in the mid-Atlantic, my parents surely expected that my exposure to the assortment of four seasons would, in theory, permit me to live comfortably anywhere. Unfortunately, I learned that my mother and father did not know of the preparation necessary to survive—let alone, live in—winter in Boston. While autumn brings coy breezes, colorful leaves, and pumpkins to the table, winter in Boston dumps rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The joints of the trees creak in the wind. Even when there is light outside, the sun never appears. Winter in Boston is evil. How does one survive the frozen tantrum of mother nature? Well, as hardly one week has passed since an excellent conversation with my local Bostonian friend, Rubert, I will share some tips how to survive the wicked winter of Boston.

Firstly, as Rubert made clear, the appropriate selection of clothing is of utmost importance. Since most buildings are heated, Rubert recommends that students spending most of their time indoors—only leaving to travel between classes or dining halls—should select one or two thicker layers as undergarments can be nuisances. From bottom-up, Rubert recommends warm wool socks, waterproof boots, solid jeans, a long-sleeved shirt underneath a toasty hoodie, and a big parka or jacket that can be tossed on-and-off. For those five-to-ten-minute walk between buildings, Rubert swears by this system.

Now, for those long treks into Boston, whether by train or car, Rubert offered another system. With windchill, the temperatures fall far below freezing, so undergarments are critical—stockings, leggings, long-johns, etc. While long-sleeve shirts under hoodies might suffice on-campus, Rubert expresses that the cold in Boston finds ways to creep into every crevice of the body—four-to-five layers are recommended for the top. Moreover, while one pair of wool socks might work for short walks, Rubert warned that those long days in the cold demand double-socks. Finally, a pair of warm gloves (though Rubert prefers mittens), a sturdy umbrella, a wool scarf, baclava, and/or beanie, and optional earmuffs are recommended to adequately tackle the winter in Boston.

In addition to appropriate clothing, Rubert also advises certain ‘quality-of-life’ practices: one should always carry lip balm; one should dry their hair before leaving the house; if the world has turned white with snow, one should wear sunglasses, visor, or a brimmed hat; and one should stockpile snacks. Now, in our conversation, Rubert expressed that, while one must certainly protect their body, the effect of winter on the mind is often overlooked. As the days grow short, the sky turns gray, and the wind blows dry, so too can the mind fall ill. In addition to some lovely suggestions from Rubert, I have compiled several exercises that will support the maintenance of a healthy mind during winter in Boston.

From his extensive repository of recommendations, Rubert offered the advice of opening the shades or blinds during the day before sparking aromatic candles (in university-approved spaces) at night. With the world dull and smoggy, the gentle flickering of the candle flame can liven spirits. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, Rubert also recommended drinking some hot tea, coffee, or chocolate with some cherished friends. If snow starts to fall, Rubert mentioned that building snow people or sledding down the lawn were fun activities—personally, I prefer to take long walks in the snow rather than rolling around in it.