Encountering extreme conditions day in day out, combined with feelings of missing home, mean little luxuries mean a lot to Arctic explorer Ann Daniels.

Luxuries are rare on the ice which means simple things like moments of privacy are as comforting as a big bowl of chocolate ice cream or a glass of wine at home.

For expedition navigator Ms Daniels, her ultimate luxury is the hood of her jacket, which acts like a personal shield when things get too much.

“When I’m missing home or feeling down it always makes me feel better to let it all go with a couple of privately shed tears,” she said.

“It releases the tension and lets go the happy hormones.

"You can’t beat the power of catharsis, especially when no one can see.”

Ms Daniels had a low moment recently when she fell backward onto sharp ice while trying to haul herself over the top of a pressure ridge.

“The worst thing was I was trying so hard not to cry because I was wearing my sunglasses,” she said on her blog.

“They would have steamed up and then the steam freezes and I can’t see.”