10 essentials to keep in your bag this fall and winter
Photo by Lee Campbell
Fall and winter are when cold and flu season strikes. As cold weather sets in, you want to be prepared. Here are ten essential things to keep in your bag during fall and winter.
Lip Balm
As winter sets in, the air becomes dry and cold. These conditions are rough on your skin. Lip balm is one must-have item to keep you comfortable.
Travel-Size Hand Lotion
You'll want hand lotion for the same reason you need lip balm. Winter weather leads to cracked, dry skin. A good lotion can keep your skin soft and healthy, even on the go.
Cough Drops
It's cold and flu season, but you have places to be. When these days hit, you definitely want cough drops in your bag. They'll soothe your scratchy, dry throat, and curb excessive coughing.
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Tissues
Tissues are another cold-season essential. Once you get used to having tissues on hand, you may never go without them again. Tissues are simple and functional.
There are many types of tissue, depending on your needs. You can buy small packs that stash easily in a bag. They can be perfumed, or just plain.
Winter Travel Essentials Perfect for the Season’s Travel Reflective Gear Mittens A Backup Battery Lip and Body Balm A Winter Driving Kit Foot Warmers Heated Gear A Scarf with Pockets Emergen-C
Painkillers
Painkillers are good to have year-round. Ibuprofen is a basic one that covers a wide variety of pain.
You can also slowly expand your mobile pharmacy to include acetaminophen, antacids, and band-aids. Your future self will thank you.
Hand Sanitizer
This is another good one for when the cold season strikes, particularly if you interact with the public. Not only does hand sanitizer offer a quick way to disinfect, but it also lends you peace of mind when everyone around you is coughing and sniffling.
Power Bank/Charger
In today's digital age, we use our phones for almost everything. So, make sure you have a way to keep yours charged. This is particularly true if you use your phone as a GPS.
Also, with the rise of wireless headphones, it's worth noting that Bluetooth is a massive drain on your battery. If you use Bluetooth often, you're going to need a power bank.
Hand Warmers
There are a lot of cheap, useful hand warmers out there. Sometimes they're lumped in with emergency preparedness supplies, but they'll keep your hands warm during calm times, too.
Bus running late? Break out the hand warmers. Car broken down on the side of the road? Hand warmers. Feeling those winter blues? You already know the answer: hand warmers.
Photo by Victor Xok
Hat & Gloves
If you live in a cold region, you need to be in tune with the local forecast. There's nothing worse than being caught by an unexpected cold snap.
Conditions often change over the course of the day. By keeping a spare hat and gloves in your bag, you'll be able to bundle up in a pinch.
Disinfectant Wipes
Travel size packs of disinfectant wipes are the perfect size to pack into your bag, and they work on many surfaces. Ideal for wiping down surfaces and eliminate germs easily.
Hopefully, this list has given you some good ideas for how to pack your bag. Remember, it never hurts to be prepared. Stay warm and safe this holiday season.
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