Dear Lifehacker, I love being outdoors, but not in winter. The cold and biting wind turns my face red, tight, and sore. Even my eyes are dry! What can I do to protect myself in this harsh environment?

Cool-weather races can leave you chilly once you cool down, so race organisers will often hand out mylar "space blankets." Don't throw yours away -- it's the perfect way to keep warm at the start line of your next race.

I'm constantly shocked by how many people don't know the basics of dressing for warmth in the outdoors. Even more people aren't equipped with the basics for sleeping warmly on a cold night. It's all simple and cheap, read this and make no more excuses.

In cold weather, it's important to protect your skin and eyes and dress effectively to stay warm. This infographic shows us the three layers that can keep you insulated outdoors.

We know some pretty cool ways to avoid frost on your car, including using vinegar to defrost your windscreen quickly. If you scrape your window every morning anyway, a piece of cloth or cardboard may be a better option.

Cleaning your freezer is typically a spring activity, along with cleaning the rest of the house. However, you need to remove the stuff from the freezer to clean it. Keeping all that stuff safe is a whole lot easier when it's cold outside.

If your winter boots are lined with a waterproof material, check to make sure they're waterproof on the surface, too. Weblog Refinery29 notes that even if the liner is waterproof, water can become trapped between the liner and the outer material. This can cause water spots to mark your boots.

If your winter weather self is craving some sweetness, then it's time to make the upgrade to sipping chocolate. Make your own from-scratch drinking chocolate thanks to this brainless, simple formula.

Even in sunny Australia, winter can be cold to the point of cruelty. You don't need a big, heavy, puffy coat to stay warm and toasty though. Here's how to layer up for comfortable, effective (and stylish) warmth.

The winter blues can be difficult to wrestle with. If you find yourself yearning to feel better, take a few breaks to get outside throughout the day.

With the cold weather hitting much of Australia, it's the season to start weather-proofing your house. You can make a simple but effective draft stopper that keeps warm air in and cold air out with a pool noodle and a pillowcase or sheet.

People have been taking dips in ice-cold water for generations, both for pleasure and for health benefits. It may seem crazy to plunge into freezing water for any length of time, but this video from the folks at DNews runs down some of the benefits -- and sets the record straight on the dangers.

You may not wear your shoes outside during the winter, but you want to keep their shape. Stuff them with newspaper to keep them in shape for the spring and summer.

Although snow sports can be great fun, they also bring the risk of frostbite. Trying to warm frostbitten skin or hands by rubbing them together can actually do more damage. Instead, your first priority should be to get out of the elements.

As the days get shorter with less sunlight, our wardrobes shift to darker colours. Our moods often get a bit darker too. Cheer up a bit and wear bright colours instead of the typical greys and blacks.

Whether you plan on riding your bike in the cold weather, or putting it away in storage, this graphic explains all the preparations you should handle before the cold creeps up on you.

The white stuff is finally falling in the Snowies and Alpine types are getting ready to strap on their boots and skis and head for the slopes. But sitting in an office one day and plummeting down a mountainside the next is asking for injury. Experts recommend six weeks of preparation, so here's how to get thighs of iron and buns of steel and get the most out your winter holiday.

Winter weather can make going to the bathroom a little unpleasant. Even in a heated household, toilet seats can get a bit chilly. The solution? How-to illustrator Yumi Sakugawa suggests sliding on some socks.

The winter seasons brings the inevitable coughs and sore throats. For milder symptoms that don't warrant a trip to the chemist, this formula for DIY cough syrup has you covered.