3 Superhero Hacks for Enduring Cold Weather

Is Old Man Winter your arch nemesis? When he arrives to your tent fly, do you try to shoo him off in hopes that a warmer guest will arrive in his place? When his snow angles fall in masses, do you find yourself having to carry too much gear in order to deal with them? Or during these times, do you avoid going outside altogether?

If you said yes to any of these questions and want to do something about it, then you’re in luck, because today I have 3 powerful and proven Superhero Hacks for Enduring Cold Weather that will have you laughing in the face of cold and back outside enjoying nature in no time.

2017 – Health Hacks with Aria Zoner

January

3 Superhero Hacks for Enduring Cold Weather

During each month of 2017, I’ll be releasing 3 new Health Hacks. These are not going to be ‘tie your shoe on your head for a hat’ kind of hacks but will be things that actually work and can improve your health, performance, or in this case your tolerance to cold. My Health Hacks are to-the-point and precious and are done in a certain way, and for reasons, that you might not have thought of. And although wearing a shoe for a hat sounds cool when you first read about it, the afterthought of walking like that for any amount of distance leaves it of little use beyond there.

These hacks aren’t about looking cute and getting likes. They’re about helping you go the distance.

Superhero Hacks #1: Initiating your Fight or Flight Response

3 Superhero Hacks for Enduring Cold Weather - by Aria Zoner Year-round hiker Aria Zoner stands up to Old Man Winter

The ancient Zen philosophy “chop wood carry water” is more than just a mantra to meet responsibility and to master challenges, it’s a motto for how to survive winter.

Old Man Winter can be a real bully but you can build up your resistance to him by fighting back. Don’t be lulled into a state of immobility, his secret weapon, or you could be left frozen by the time morning arrives. Movement is your friend here and your greatest power. Instead of just lying there shivering in your sleeping bag, make the effort and do some push-ups, crunches, or sit-ups which will rewarm your bag.

The colder it gets the more active you need to be. Just how active? Well, not as active as my favorite bird and personal hero, the Arctic Tern, who spends the majority of its year traveling. The idea here is work hard enough to stay warm but not to sweat. Never let Old Man Winter see you sweat. You don’t need Dry Idea Deodorant to do this, you just need to stay motivated.

Superhero Hacks #2: Building up your Nerve Force

Do you want to have tolerance to the cold? Then you need Nerve Force.

Nerve Force is your vital power, it’s the expression of your overall immunity.

Nerve Force is something that must be built up, similar to the way a body-builder builds up his muscles. Thru repeated exposure to cold you can build strength in your skin; and behind it, your nerves. Now don’t expect to be Superman on your first attempt at this. In fact, you may even get sick. But in the long-run this is good, as it shows that a purging of your Lymphatic System has taken place. The Lymphatic System is where toxins in our body are stored and flushing these out is a byproduct of being exposed to cold. If you’re not quite ready to jump into a half frozen creek, simply find a shower. After getting nice and warm, switch to cold water only. The shock that you feel is a real sucker-punch to Old Man Winter that eventually will leave you with an impenetrable shield that even he cannot get thru.

WATCH: How to Build Nerve Force

Superhero Hacks #3: Eating to Meet the Occasion

It’s no secret that animals and peoples of the artic use fat in their diets to survive cold weather. In your body, fat functions similar to the way oil does in your car, it lubes and protects. However, not all fats are created equal. Fatty foods like doughnuts and fried meats are unhealthy because they contain fats in them that are chunky, thick, and hard to digest. These kind of fats will eventually leave you immobile. On the other hand – foods like olives, avocados, and pine nuts give you long-lasting energy because they contain fats that are thin and easily digested.

12 Superfoods for getting Fat - by Aria ZonerClockwise: Avocado, Olive Oil, MCT Oil, Pine Nuts, Chia Seeds, Ghee, Coconut Oil, Flax, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Hemp Seeds, & Almond Butter

These 12 fat sources are each great for producing SUPERHERO ENERGY; and best of all, they won’t clog your blood vessels!

In Summary:

The good news here is, you don’t need to look like a walrus in order to be able to endure cold weather. All you need to do is:

  1. Initiate your Fight or Flight Response
  2. Build up your Nerve Force
  3. Eat to Meet the Occasion

When combined, these 3 Superhero Hacks for Enduring Cold Weather become an unbeatable recipe for defeating Old Man Winter – once and for all.

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For additional tips on wellness, nutrition & long-distance hiking, visit me at Whole Food Hiker.

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Comments 5

  • Gail Barrett : Jan 14th

    How do you incorporate these foods on a thru hike? I’d like to have the best diet possible.

    Reply
    • Aria Zoner : Jan 14th

      I like to eat the avo with other fresh veggies or I’ll put some in my broth with the oils. The nuts & seeds I just mix into the almond butter. Then, all you need is a spoon!!

      Reply
    • Aria Zoner : Jan 14th

      If you have time Gail, check out my channel: http://www.youtube.com/wholefoodhiker. I’ve made a bunch of videos specifically about using superfoods for achieving a healthy hiking experience. I hope this helps you and please keep striving, your body will thank you.

      Reply
  • Dave Johnson : Jan 17th

    Thanks for the in-depth information it was really helpful. Although I couldn’t see my self embarking on a winter trek ever, I give you mad props.
    What advice could you give me on the PCT for the best preparedness I could do for a first timer such as myself.
    Thanks Aria!

    Reply
    • Aria Zoner : Jan 18th

      Hi Dave! Getting ready for a PCT hike? Keep your knees bent. Workout the muscles around your knees before you go and rest often during it. There’s plenty of campsites to pull over at on the PCT, more so than on any other trail I’ve done. Use these times to get to know your classmates, as you’ll be with them all year. If enjoy each step – before, during, and after the hike – then you’ll surely make it to Canada. You got this!

      Reply

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