Many people can’t stand winter. And yet, this could actually be the most beautiful time of the year if you have the right mindset, says an American psychologist who lived in Norway for a year. Here’s what she discovered there.
Kari Leibowitz, a psychologist and Stanford-trained expert specializing in changing mindset to improve mental health and well-being, lived and worked in Tromsø, Norway, for a year.
In this city located above the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn't rise in winter for two whole months. "I was drawn to the Arctic to try to understand how people cope with some of the darkest winters on Earth," Leibowitz wrote in her book, “How to Winter".
What she discovered was that most residents of Tromsø don't fear winter at all, but rather look forward to it, as reported by CNBC.
Here are 3 ways to enjoy winter and cope with cold, dark days:
1. Appreciate Winter
When we switch from daylight saving time to standard time, we tend to prepare for this change with negative thoughts about the colder, darker days ahead. There's a reason this period is called the SAD Season (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Leibowitz suggests changing your mindset from the start. Assuming from the beginning that winter will be ugly, tough, unbearable leads us to a biased confirmation, which the expert describes as "our tendency to seek and process information that supports our beliefs and mindsets."
But if we keep repeating the belief that winter is tough and unpleasant, we don't make our lives any easier, quite the opposite. "When the very thought of winter evokes only pessimism, this not only reflects how winter can be, but also increases the chances that our winter will be gloomy," she writes in her book.
You can use this belief to your advantage by thinking the opposite, that "winter is wonderful," and planning special events, such as movie nights or candlelit dinners with loved ones. Scheduling these events around the transition to standard time can increase the chances of turning the cold season into a fun period.
Preparing your wardrobe and home for winter can make this season more enjoyable. Bring out your warm clothes and place them where they can be easily found. Stock up on hot drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, or tea.
2. Make Winter a Special Time
The next step is to focus on yourself.
Leibowitz encourages you to play with the darkness that winter brings by dimming the main lighting in your home and using twinkling lights, small lamps, and candles to create a cozy atmosphere. Your home will be warmer, more welcoming, more cheerful, and the darkness will lose its power.
Plan special moments, such as Sunday dinners, and keep comforting treats on hand.
Leibowitz recommends using winter to start activities that make you feel good and that you may ignore during the rest of the year. Here are a few:
- meditation
- painting
- puzzles
- reading
- crafting / knitting
- easy walks
3. Go Outside, Even When It's Cold
Even when it's cold, you need to get fresh air daily and you can handle it if you prepare. In her book, Leibowitz has an entire chapter aptly titled "You’re not made of sugar."
"Those who enjoy this season invariably find ways to spend time outdoors. Whether skiing, swimming, hiking, or simply walking their dog around the neighborhood, being outside is a significant part of their winter life," the author explains.
With the right gear, you can enjoy being outdoors in winter. To start, dress warmly, layer your clothes, wear waterproof shoes, she suggests. And when you feel comfortable going out in the cold, try staying outside for 15 minutes longer than planned.
If you can do this with someone else, even better - loneliness is not the best ally to make friends with winter.
T.D.