What to do when you can't go outside because it's really, really cold.

A "major Arctic outbreak" is arriving. In Vermont, they are forecasting minus 40 degrees! Trees might explode! There's something called a "frost quake"!

Luckily, there's lots of studies about how to stay warm and upbeat amid the chill.

Frigid nations have this all figured out. Let's steal their best ideas.

In Norway, where winter sunlight only lasts about seven hours, some towns install large mirrors on mountainsides to reflect sunlight into the town square — which has the additional benefit of nudging everyone to gather together and socialize. (So install some mirrors near your windows, and bounce them to where everyone can meet.)

In Siberia, one of the coldest and darkest places on earth, people spend winters eating stroganina: raw, paper-thin slices of frozen fish (think popsicle sashimi) because oily fish can provide the vitamin D you normally get from the sun. Or, try eating UV-exposed mushrooms, which transmit some of the sun's health to your gut.

In Japan, it's common for wintry households to break out a Kotatsu table: a wooden frame with an internal electric heater and a huge blanket to trap the heat. (That's a photo of a Kotatsu table above.) People love these things (some people sleep under them), and you can order them for just a few hundred bucks. (Or you can get a really nice one for a bit more.)

But how do I stay connected to people? It's too cold to see anyone!

Social interaction is very important during winter months. And so it's critical that you plan your socialization.

Studies show just 15 minutes of talking can do the trick — so schedule a quick zoom with your bestie. Or go asynchronous and start sending voice chats to each other. (Marco Polo makes it easy.)

Or find a group hobby you can do online: Wplace.live lets artsy types create together by changing one pixel at a time. GeoGuessr make you feel like you're traveling around the world with teammates. You can also play Codenames, a knockoff of Cards Against Humanity or Othello online with friends! (A minute to learn, a lifetime to hear trash talk.) Here are some really big lists of online versions of nearly any game.

Best of all, go visit a sauna and strike up a conversation. Numerous studies show regular sauna use lowers the risks of heart disease, stroke and early death. Also, it's pretty hard not to feel close to someone after you've been half naked while screaming "this is so hot!" together. (You can find a local sauna here or here or here.)

Okay, but I need to get some work done. And it's harder in the winter. What should I do?

First, it's important to work with your body's natural energy rhythms, instead of fighting them. Numerous studies show we're more focused and less stressed when do our most demanding work during high-energy hours, and let ourselves rest when our energy ebbs. (And if you don't know your energy rhythms, here's a site to help you figure out your individual 'chronotype'.)

Next, you need a system to create structure (especially when you're homebound). Some of the most popular are the Pomodoro Technique and Time Blocking. To make those burst most productive, consider task batching by grouping similar tasks (emails, errands, admin work, creative brainstorming), so you avoid the mental exhaustion of jumping between activities.

Finally, seek out cleanliness and sunlight. It's okay to do the dishes before you start writing that memo — the cleaning, in fact, is part of the writing process. And it's great to move your desk next to a window (or use a mirror to bounce light around). Researchers found that when people have more daylight exposure their circadian rhythms stay more aligned — and so they fall asleep earlier, wake up with more energy, and report better moods and vitality.

Finally, if you're looking for something to read as you stay cozy inside, let me recommend two new books by some of my favorite authors! Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment by Daniel Coyle (author of The Culture Code) is all about how to have a better, more meaningful life (even when it's dark outside) and The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans by cognitive scientist Maya Shankar explores how we become stronger — and often happier — when life serves up unexpected upheaval.

What's the weather like where you live? Have any trees exploded from the cold? What's your favorite indoor activity on a snowy day? Let us know in the comments!

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