THE FORTY-SOMETHING’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING THE “COLD”

Winter in Southern California is a bit of a psychological game. As an Asian-American woman in my 40s, my relationship with the cold is… complicated. While my husband and friends are mourning the loss of “pool weather,” I’m secretly thriving. I actually LUUVVEEEEE the cold. Give me a crisp 45°F morning over a triple-digit Valley heatwave any day.

However, even if my soul is ready for a “cool girl” winter, my 40 PLUS (the plus years is so important in all of this!) -year-old physical vessel has started filing formal complaints. Whether I’m navigating a chilly L.A. morning or escaping to the High Desert, here is how I manage the “weird” ways my body reacts to the season.

1. The “Invisible” Skin Crisis: Winter Itch & The Moisture Sandwich

At this stage of life, my skin barrier isn’t as resilient as it used to be. Asian-American skin can be particularly prone to extreme dryness (like, flakes galore dry) when the humidity drops.

• The Routine: I’ve perfected a “moisture-sandwich” ritual immediately after my shower. While my skin is still damp, I mist on Magnesium Spray for muscle relaxation, follow with La Roche-Posay for that prebiotic skin health, and seal it all in with Castor Oil. This creates a literal shield against the dry air.

• The First Aid Fix: If a crack actually opens up on my cuticles or heels (like how it is now as I type this article), I reach for SILVEX Wound Gel. SILVEX has saved my skin (literally) so many times in the past! Healing those painful splits faster than any lotion could.

2. The “Desert Shock”: Waking Up the High Desert Way

Even though I love the cold, the High Desert doesn’t play fair. Living in L.A. means I’m acclimated to humidity; the 3,000-foot altitude of Joshua Tree turns my “wellness” into a project.

• The Issue: Every morning I wake up in the desert, I can feel the “cold shock”—my blood vessels are constricted and my joints feel “stiff.”
• The Fix: I don’t just reach for coffee. I go outside into that crisp morning air and perform a moving meditation. I swing my arms and use the Chinese/Asian “tap-tap” method (Pai Da)—firmly tapping my limbs and torso to help my lymph drain and get my blood moving. It’s an ancestral hack that works better than any heater to wake up my internal circulation and prep me for a day of bouldering… LOL but in reality, just minor hiking haha!

3. The “Gravity Check”: High-Altitude Hazards

In the desert, the ground is never just “ground.” It’s loose gravel or jagged granite. My 40-something reaction time is great, but the cold makes tissues less pliable.

• The Issue: A simple slip can lead to “road rash.”
• The Fix: I wear boots with serious lugs and keep my knees loose. If I do take a tumble, I clean the scrape immediately and apply SILVEX. Its special nano-silver tech means I don’t have to worry about desert dust causing an infection while I’m miles from civilization.

4. The “Internal” Winter: Building the Fortress

This is where I get serious. To enjoy the cold, I have to keep my “internal heat” and immunity high. I don’t wait until I feel a tickle in my throat; I start every single morning with a specific ritual.

• The Morning Ritual: Before any food touches my lips, I drink a hot Lemon Tea to wake up my system. I also take a teaspoon of Honey and Garlic—nature’s original antibiotics.

• The Supplement Stack: I lean heavily on my “Big Four”: Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C. I also incorporate Nano Silver Immuno Boost internally to keep my immune system on high alert. This combination ensures that the “Office Cold” stays far away from me.

5. The “High Desert Glow”: Defeating the Flash-Dry

In Joshua Tree, moisture evaporates off your skin faster than you can say “Instagrammable Airbnb.” This leads to that “crepe-y” look under the eyes that no amount of sleep can fix.The Hack: I “slug” my cheekbones and knuckles with a heavier layer of Castor Oil. It feels like a protective hug for my face, keeping me looking dewy and radiant rather than wind-whipped.