No matter what weather forecasts are in the future, when the cold hits Central Texas it always seems to come as a shock.
The polar vortex swept across the U.S. last week and the Lake Travis area was left with chilly sub 40 degree days. But you don’t have to become a hermit this winter and never leave your home just because the air is chilly and the nights come early!
Here are a few things you can do to keep warm when the weather gets chilly in the Lake Travis area.
Hang Out at a Local Coffee Shop
Caffeine addicts may understand the urge to hit the lines at the local cafe or coffee shop around this time of year, which is why you can usually find me at Angel Donuts & Treats or at Bee Cave Coffee for their handcrafted drinks. I’m a sucker for a good latte!
Visiting a local coffee shop is not only your access to warming beverages but also the inviting (and usually warm) atmosphere makes it a great place to meet up with friends — which may be just what you’re looking for to avoid becoming a total introvert when the temps take a dip.
Do Warm Stuff Indoors
If drinking warm liquids and putting on layers doesn’t seem to do the job of adequately keeping the cold at bay, take a break from trying and simply distract yourself from it instead. It’s not as hard as it seems — and entertainment might be one of the most effective (and fun!) ways to go about this.
Back in the days of warmth, we put together a guide for Lake Travis Area Arts and Culture and 8 Things To Do Indoors With Kids but discovered that most of these places are great places to visit and keep warm during Central Texas cold snaps.
Exercise the Cold Away
Another great way to keep your mind off the cold is to simply fight it head-on with a bit of exercise. You can do this indoors if you prefer to stay warm for your workouts — think hot yoga at Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa or energizing Barre at Zenergy Pilates, Pure Barre in Lakeway, or working out at any of the Lake Travis area gyms. It has been proven that the more muscle mass a person has, the quicker they are to warm up and stay warm. I always need more reasons to work out, and this weather might just be the final straw for me!
Fortunately for all of us here in the Lake Travis area, the cold weather will only last for a few days and we’ll be back to our mild winter temps and hopefully enjoying this holiday season in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops.
