Hey! It's been a while and this topic came to my mind - as we are getting into the dark & cold winter here in the North. I don't know if someone has moved to Nordic countries or somewhere where there's like 4 hours of daylight, or if you're just curious to know.. how do we survive these months? When visiting Finland for a short time, it shouldn't really affect you. But still, I wouldn't suggest anyone visit Finland in November! It's dark, dull, rainy and cold. I remember my first winter here, it was not too bad, experiencing sunsets at 3PM. I also visited Lapland where there was almost no daylight during the peak of winter. The amazing snowy landscapes make up for it. By the time it's February, you really wish for some warmth and sun. Finnish people seem to go about things as normal, although I know it does affect them - they are just better adapted to this climate. They are probably not used to living in a place where it's sunny with equal length days year-round. Me, I sometimes wonder why people live in this cold & dark place 😂 I've lived in Finland for about 6 years now and this will be the 7th winter. Here I gather some points and tips that have helped during these times.
Music
Mornings are dark and dreary. Especially in the time after daylight savings ends - at the end of October. You wake up and it's dark. Even rainy. The last couple of months have been very rainy, I remember few clear days. Start the days with music! Just ignore the weather when you get up and play your favourite tunes!
Good Lighting and Aromas
Keep your living space lit! Starting already in the day (because there is not enough brightness). Have some warm lamps on, light up some candles around the house, create the 'Hyyge' feeling (inspired by the Danish, who also live in a depressing climate). Aromatherapy helps uplift mood and also regulate sleep cycles. Along with good lighting, spread some good smells around the house that keep your senses aroused and alert through the day.
Maintain a Routine
This is important, especially in these times when you just feel like giving it up. Pay attention to morning routine. Instead of laying in bed browsing your phone, do a breathing exercise or some stretches. Even Yoga if that's your thing. I do practise yoga but it's difficult for me in the mornings so I usually do evenings. Getting up and going is tough sometimes but having a routine and some sort of mental checklist of things-to-do helps.
Hobbies and Sports
It's very important to stay active! In winters it's normal to feel lethargic due to the lack of sunlight but don't let it bring you down. Make exercise part of your daily routine, even if it's just a walk nearby. Gym isn't my thing but I do like to play sports- Tennis and badminton. I plan on playing at least once a week (but this doesn't always happen due to unavailability of players or courts). Other than sports, keep time for your hobbies, join some classes and do group activities - this will keep you busy and think less about the cold & dark.
Sauna
Nothing like a hot, steaming sauna in freezing weather. Sauna is very much part of life here and every apartment building usually has their own sauna. We go to sauna once a week at least. You can also find public saunas in Finland where you can enjoy and take a dip in the pool/lake or sea!
Vitamins
Take care of having all your nutrients and vitamins, especially vit Ds when there's lack of sunlight. The winter sun does not help produce the amounts of vit. D needed by our bodies. It also affects our moods and supports our immune systems so it's important to supplement these (esp. D and B vitamins) alongside a healthy, preferably wholefoods, plant-based diet. Cook up summery foods, eat enough fruits/berries and keep hydrated! Here's a hearty recipe we make sometimes, full of flavour and nourishment: https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/wonderful-veg-tagine/
COFFEE
I cannot not mention coffee here, right? It really brings me joy and jump start to the day. I'm not addicted to coffee though, never have been. I just like that one cup everyday ;) Very rarely do I drink more than a cup in a day. Also, I do love teas - Black tea, Green tea, Matcha, Rooibos - and often have these instead of coffee. So, start your morning with your favourite beverage! Coffee, tea or even lemon water - it helps.
Staycation!
Taking some time for self care and a staycation would do much good! Have a weekend away somewhere nice and treat yourself to a spa or massage to keep the energy going. Focus on self-care.
Check out this blog post on our previous staycation in Helsinki: https://veganhaventravel.com/2021/01/05/staycation-at-clarion-helsinki/
Travel somewhere warm
Well, the most direct solution would be to go somewhere else for a bit, get some sun, few days or weeks will do good. During most winters I have travelled somewhere. Twice to Asia where it's tropical (in January, coming back to an icy -20 in Helsinki), and Southern Europe which is kind of warm too, being around 18 degrees. So if it's possible, why not just escape for a bit? In these 2years I haven't really been able to, and that sucks.
These are my tips for now and basically how I try to deal with these dark times. Let me know in the comments below if you have experienced living in similar climates and what you did to cope.