Surviving winter in Chicago

Yelnura, MA in Middle Eastern Studies, 2026

Winter quarter is said to be one of the hardest times in the academic life of UChicago students. Why? It is ten weeks, January through March, of going to classes almost without any holidays in the temperature that drops way down to minus Farenheits (-20ºC). In this period it becomes too easy to get sick both morally and physically.

So, when your body and soul needs an extra bit of care and attention in this period, I offer you a short list of winter essentials that will keep your body warm and spirits high. The list has 5 categories with few important items in each category.

Home essentials.

Heater. Chicago winters are no joke, and even though most apartments come with heating, it’s not always reliable—especially in older buildings or when the central heating schedule doesn’t quite match the weather schedule. That’s where a space heater comes in handy. Having a personal heater you can switch on whenever you’re feeling cold is a game-changer for staying comfortable during those extra-cold days.

Another must-have? A cozy duvet cover and a good blanket. Whether you’re tucking in for a warm, restful night or spending the day wrapped up in bed with a book or a show, the right bedding makes all the difference. Invest in something soft and warm to keep the cold at bay, and you’ll be set for whatever Chicago winter throws your way!

Food

Whether you are feeling sick or about to get sick or do not want to be sick at all, broth is a life-saver in the winter time. Any kind of broth would do good for you, as they are filled with vitamins, proteins and nutrients. It is said that the bone broth is the most nutritious of all with high amounts of potassium and magnesium, a chicken broth is a classic, and a vegetable broth for our vegetarian readers :)

Warming up at Plein Are Café

Tea is another good treat during winter time. If you are tired of simply drinking black or green tea, you can always play with it and add some fresh mint, honey, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, or mix it all together! All of these ingredients can help boost your immune system and help you resist bacteria and viruses.

Clothing

Two words - thermal underwear. If you are not a fan of layering up and wearing a sweater on top of a sweater to stay warm, my suggestion is to invest in a good winter thermal underwear. These clothes are usually thin and made with a special technology of keeping your body warm and temperature balanced.

Winter jacket is a big investment with its prices going up to 500$. However, having a good winter jacket can save you a lot of trouble of not getting sick and will serve you for many years.

Boots. It is usually believed that your feet help to sustain a balanced body temperature and if your feet are cold it is harder for the body to keep the other parts of it warm. So, don’t forget the boots!

Skin-care essentials

It is not a coincidence that Chicago is usually called the Windy City, the wind coming from the North can hit you hard and especially have a bad effect on your skin. Having skin irritation and dryness is the last thing we really want to care about on top of all other things. So, get equipped with a good lip balm to prevent the pain of chapped lips and a good hand and face moisturizer to compensate for all the dryness caused by both the cold outdoors and heating indoors.

Relationships

The most important of all is having good connections. Your spiritual balance is the most powerful tool you have to stay healthy mentally and physically in winter. Whatever the winter of Chicago is throwing at you - fog, gloominess, snow or wind - organizing a dinner event with your friends, a movie night with your loved ones, or simply coffee outing with good acquaintances can contribute well to your spirits. Winter spend with loved ones can be a winter well spent with fun activities outdoors and cozy moments indoors. Who knows, maybe with the right approach to winter you might even like it or maybe even look forward to all the snowy, cold days it brings with it.