This Heated Vest Is About to Be My Newest Winter Obsession

It kept me, a self-professed winter hater, actually comfortable.

TRAVEL TODAY Heated Jackets This Heated Vest Is About to Be My Newest Winter Obsession Winter is without a doubt my least favorite season. Despite my loved ones' best-intentioned attempts to gift me thermal underwear, wool socks, and cozy scarves every Christmas—hoping beyond hope that this and that item will surely keep me warm—from October to April, my hands and feet remain in various shades of blue due to lack of circulation and my muscles occasionally ache from shivering. Over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, I went down to Baltimore and Pennsylvania to spend time with a friend from London who was in town visiting family. On Sunday, with a winter storm threatening to dampen our day with wind, ice, and several inches of snow, her mom lent me her new ORORO heated vest, knowing how susceptible I am to the elements. "Don't forget to take it off!" she said as I zipped my winter coat up over it. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the vest has three heat settings: high, medium, and low. On its lowest setting, it can generate heat for up to 10 hours (or three hours on high). As I was wearing it as a midlayer, I pressed a button at the top of the vest and turned it on low; within a few seconds, I began to feel heat radiate across my torso, thanks to the vest's four carbon fiber heating elements. For someone whose comfort level is limited to a very short temperature range of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, as I set out for the day, I wasn't thinking about how miserably uncomfortable I was for once. Instead, I was able to persevere through the blustery wind with little complaint, and to better appreciate the aspects of winter that people less averse to the cold like about it. Before boarding my train back to NYC, I didn't forget to take the vest off, but I definitely didn't want to. If you're thermosensitive like me and eager to try a heated jacket for yourself, be sure to check out our roundup of best battery-powered jackets, and read on for our top-recommended winter accessories and gear that'll make the season just a little bit more bearable. READ NOW READ NOW Elizabeth Preske Associate Editor Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products and services; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Winter Travel These Thermal Layers Are Great at Wicking Away Moisture and Keeping Heat Trapped Inside read more Style 10 Fleece-Lined Leggings That Will Take You From the Couch to the Ski Slopes read more Style 11 Cold-Weather Boots That Are Both Insulated and Waterproof read more Accessories Keep Your Head Warm in Sub-Freezing Temps With These Ultra-Cozy Winter Hats​​ read more Winter Travel The 6 Best Hand Warmers of 2022 read more Accessories These Wool Socks Will Keep You Warm and Cozy All Winter Long read more Style We Absolutely Love These Women's Winter Gloves, Hands Down read more Style Love Patagonia? We've Rounded Up the Brand's Top Fleece, Down, Vest, and Hardshell Jackets read more VACATION LIKE A PRO You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Travel Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005 © 2021 Dotdash.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

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Why Reaching Out to Others Is Important for Your Mental Health

A new study explored how emotional support during difficult situations can be a boon to our own well-being.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Reaching Out to Others Is Important to Mental Health   A handful of different coping techniques are available to us as we work through difficult situations. The method of reaching out to a trusted loved one for support is certainly one way, and a new study published in Affective Science has explored how this emotional support can be a boon to our own well-being.   The study examined 87 adults over two weeks, asking them to self-report their interpersonal emotional regulation (IER) via surveys. Almost every participant noted that they shared at least one negative experience with another person over that time period, with an average of once every two days.   In the majority of these interactions, people wanted a listening ear more than a specific solution. The takeaway from the study is that reaching out to others can be a boon to our ability to regulate our own emotions. Even though we may feel vulnerable when sharing these moments, leaning on others in times of need can be a sign of strength.     We all have the capacity to fix our emotional dilemmas, and just need validation of our feelings and permission to feel."  — RENETTA WEAVER, LCSW-C What This Means For You As you work through complicated situations or even painful moments, sharing your experience with others can help you regulate your emotions and improve your mental health. When going to another, make sure that they are available to hear you, and explain what you'd like to gain out of the interaction, such as perspective, a listening ear, or help finding a solution.   On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us Penned by Michele Sammons, "The Little Book of Big Knowing" is full of gentle reminders of your self, your worth, and your ambitions. The pages contain short bursts that allow you to pick up the book, read any page, and receive some quick inspiration. Products to Help You Feel Your Best Deliver some extra love and positivity into your friend group with Kindness Cards. Each features encouraging words and phrases along with vibrant color palettes, fun geometric patterns, and playful imagery—the perfect way to spread good energy. For a new kind of card game—one that brings you closer to others—try Actually Curious. Created around the science and psychology of emotional connection, it helps you and other players feel seen and heard. For a little extra help learning how to improve your relationships, try reading one of these top 10 relationship books. Read These Next 11 Ways to Practice Compassion for Others READ NOW What to Do If You or a Loved One Lack Empathy READ NOW How to Improve Your Relationships READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy