As the days grow shorter and chill sets in, winter might make you want to hibernate. But with the right tech at your fingertips, you can make this winter your cosiest yet.

Staying warm

There’s nothing like wrapping up warm to beat the winter chills. But with rising energy costs, it can seem difficult to stay warm without breaking the bank. Thankfully, there are plenty of accessible and affordable tech solutions that combine energy efficiency with convenient features. 

Home is where the heat is

Nothing beats stepping into a warm, inviting home after braving the cold. With solutions like energy-efficient heaters and smart thermostats, you can keep your space toasty with smart controls. If you’re comfy in your favourite spot on the sofa, you can use voice controls to turn the heating up a notch—no need to get up. Or if you’re out and about, you could use app controls to warm the house and get it ready for when you step in the door. These smart features can even learn your routine to maintain your ideal temperature throughout the day, whilst tracking energy usage to keep bills under control. 

Wrapping up warm

Comfort shouldn’t only be achievable at home. With heated wearables, you can stay warm wherever you are. Smart gloves can heat your hands with just the touch of a button, whilst electric blankets can keep you cosy no matter where you’re staying. Remember to always start with the lowest heat setting—you’d be surprised how hot these wearables can get. For added peace of mind, time settings are a great safety feature in case you forget to turn the heat off. 

Staying healthy

Winter comfort isn’t just about warmth—it’s about wellness too. When the days are shorter and colder, sometimes our health can take the brunt of it. Technology can be a valuable tool for helping you look after yourself during these colder months. 

Eating well

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy some healthy, home-cooked food: from hearty slow cooker stews to nourishing ramen. There are plenty of ways to make the most out of your cooking appliances this season. The food scanner in your smart fridge can generate new recipes based on the ingredients on your shelves, ready to be cooked whilst you sit back, relax and use your voice to control your smart oven. For festive fun, you could compare which air fryer setting is perfect for mince pies—with lots of taste-testing.

Tracking wellbeing

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the festive period, you may not have the time to keep tabs on your fitness—but tech can do the tracking for you. Wearables like smartwatches and smart rings can track your sleep, exercise and stress levels to help you stay balanced through the darker months. No fitness tracker? No problem. You can even use your smartphone to track your daily step count; just pop it in your pocket for more accurate tracking. 

Keeping active

If it’s cold, wet, or even snowing outside, you might not want to go for that outdoor run. But there are plenty of ways to stay active from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re training for strength or stamina, you could download workout apps for your smartphone. You could also make the most of your gaming gear: detach the Joy-Cons from your Nintendo Switch and have a boogie on Just Dance or pop on your VR headset and slash blocks to the beat in Beat Saber. 

Staying entertained

If winter weather makes you retreat inside, it doesn’t mean you should have to hibernate entirely. There are plenty of ways technology can keep you occupied, entertained and in the loop. 

Get your game on

Whether you’re into the latest Triple A games or love a niche indie release, cold nights call for relaxing evenings gaming inside. You could team up with loved ones, bring out your competitive side and go versus them, or get sucked into a whole new world by yourself. 

Try an audio experience

Whether you’re seeking an afternoon of immersion or want to stay entertained while doing house chores, you could try out an audiobook or podcast. This medium can completely transform the reading experience, with narration and ambience bringing stories to life. There are several platforms dedicated to streaming audio experiences, including Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts, and even YouTube. You could even listen through your sound system for a fully immersive experience. 

Stream in a new way

The colder months provide the perfect opportunity to make the most of streaming services. There are plenty of platforms to choose from, including Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. You could pick a beloved classic on Disney+ to watch with the family or binge the latest Netflix show that everyone’s talking about—the options are endless. 

Staying connected

The days are getting shorter and darker, whilst the nights are growing longer. Amidst changing seasons, sometimes it can seem hard to stay on top of your day-to-day schedule—but technology can help you maintain your routine and stay connected with the real world. 

Maintain your routine

If you’re struggling to get out of bed on those dark mornings, why not try a seasonal alarm clock? These alarms simulate natural sunlight flooding into your room to support your natural body clock—a handy hack to ease those sluggish mornings and beat the winter blues. 

Call loved ones

If winter weather disrupts your travel, that doesn’t mean you should have to sacrifice your socialising. Video calls are a fantastic way to connect with friends and family all over the world. You can video call from all kinds of devices, from phones and laptops to watches and TVs. By harnessing the tech that you already own, you can embrace these colder months as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.