Embracing Winter: How to Train Yourself to Enjoy the Cold Season
For many Americans, winter is a dreary time of year marked by cold temperatures, snow, and a general lack of motivation to get outside. But what if this perception was not only unfair but also misguided? According to psychologist Kari Leibowitz, intentionally embracing the season can be the key to thriving during the colder months.
Leibowitz's own experience with winter is a fascinating one. Born and raised in a summer-centric town at the Jersey Shore, she initially grew up disliking winter. However, as she delved into her work on human flourishing and well-being, she became intrigued by the concept of a "winter mindset" – a way of approaching the season that focuses on its unique opportunities rather than its perceived drawbacks.
Leibowitz's journey took her to northern Norway, where she spent a year researching this very phenomenon. She discovered that people in Tromsø, a city at the northernmost tip of Europe, relate to winter differently. They don't focus on the cold and darkness but instead see them as a time to be cozy, slow down, and rest.
One of the most striking aspects of the Nordic approach is their relationship with light during the darkest months. The polar night, where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for two months, can seem daunting at first glance. However, Leibowitz notes that this period also brings a unique beauty – the soft, blue-green light that pervades the landscape.
This "blue hour" is characterized by an otherworldly glow that seems to permeate every aspect of life in Tromsø. It's as if the city is wearing cobalt glasses, transforming the world into a breathtaking work of art.
For those who struggle with seasonal affective disorder or simply find themselves struggling to enjoy winter, Leibowitz offers several practical tips. Firstly, getting outside, even in bad weather, is crucial for our physical and mental well-being. Fresh air, connection with nature, and movement are all natural antidepressants that can help alleviate symptoms of SAD.
Moreover, the Nordic approach emphasizes the importance of embracing a "personal season" – a time for rest, rejuvenation, and recovery. Rather than trying to force ourselves into an endless cycle of productivity, we should learn to listen to our bodies and minds, acknowledging when it's time to slow down.
So, how can you start finding beauty in the dark? Leibowitz suggests adopting simple rituals like lighting candles or using soft lamps instead of overhead lights. This intentional approach can help transform a perceived burden into an opportunity for cozy, peaceful evenings.
In conclusion, winter doesn't have to be a season of dread and isolation. By embracing its unique opportunities and reframing our relationship with light and darkness, we can learn to thrive during the colder months. So, let's take a cue from the Nordic approach – let's light up the night, slow down, and find beauty in the darkness.
For many Americans, winter is a dreary time of year marked by cold temperatures, snow, and a general lack of motivation to get outside. But what if this perception was not only unfair but also misguided? According to psychologist Kari Leibowitz, intentionally embracing the season can be the key to thriving during the colder months.
Leibowitz's own experience with winter is a fascinating one. Born and raised in a summer-centric town at the Jersey Shore, she initially grew up disliking winter. However, as she delved into her work on human flourishing and well-being, she became intrigued by the concept of a "winter mindset" – a way of approaching the season that focuses on its unique opportunities rather than its perceived drawbacks.
Leibowitz's journey took her to northern Norway, where she spent a year researching this very phenomenon. She discovered that people in Tromsø, a city at the northernmost tip of Europe, relate to winter differently. They don't focus on the cold and darkness but instead see them as a time to be cozy, slow down, and rest.
One of the most striking aspects of the Nordic approach is their relationship with light during the darkest months. The polar night, where the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for two months, can seem daunting at first glance. However, Leibowitz notes that this period also brings a unique beauty – the soft, blue-green light that pervades the landscape.
This "blue hour" is characterized by an otherworldly glow that seems to permeate every aspect of life in Tromsø. It's as if the city is wearing cobalt glasses, transforming the world into a breathtaking work of art.
For those who struggle with seasonal affective disorder or simply find themselves struggling to enjoy winter, Leibowitz offers several practical tips. Firstly, getting outside, even in bad weather, is crucial for our physical and mental well-being. Fresh air, connection with nature, and movement are all natural antidepressants that can help alleviate symptoms of SAD.
Moreover, the Nordic approach emphasizes the importance of embracing a "personal season" – a time for rest, rejuvenation, and recovery. Rather than trying to force ourselves into an endless cycle of productivity, we should learn to listen to our bodies and minds, acknowledging when it's time to slow down.
So, how can you start finding beauty in the dark? Leibowitz suggests adopting simple rituals like lighting candles or using soft lamps instead of overhead lights. This intentional approach can help transform a perceived burden into an opportunity for cozy, peaceful evenings.
In conclusion, winter doesn't have to be a season of dread and isolation. By embracing its unique opportunities and reframing our relationship with light and darkness, we can learn to thrive during the colder months. So, let's take a cue from the Nordic approach – let's light up the night, slow down, and find beauty in the darkness.
I was reading this article about winter and how some people make it work by being all cozy and stuff... it made me think, why are we always trying to rush through life? I feel like we're always so focused on productivity and getting stuff done that we forget to enjoy the little things. Like, who needs sunlight when you can have soft blue-green lights 
? It's actually kinda nice to slow down and not have to deal with all the drama of summer. Plus, getting outside in bad weather is like, super good for you? 
I totally feel you! People always think winter is boring, but I think it's so underrated 
. I mean, have you ever experienced that magical blue hour in Tromsø? It's like the whole city comes alive with this soft, ethereal light 
. And getting outside, even on the coldest days, is a total game-changer for me 
. The fresh air and exercise are such a mood-booster! I also love how the Nordic approach emphasizes rest and recovery - it's so easy to get caught up in productivity mode all year round 
, but sometimes you just need to slow down and cozy up 
. So yeah, let's give winter a chance to show us its beauty 
winter vibes are overrated. i mean don't get me wrong, coziness sounds great but is it really worth embracing the cold? what about people who have to venture out in -20 temps just to go grocery shopping? or those who can't afford a fancy nordic cabin 
. how does this "winter mindset" work for everyone? source pls?
. I think Leibowitz is onto something with this whole "winter mindset" thing. We can get so caught up in being productive and active all year round, but what if we just needed to chill out a bit? I mean, have you ever walked around Tromsø during the polar night? It's like the whole city is bathed in this ethereal blue glow 
I'm all about that coziness vibes this winter season 
. Lighting candles and soft lamps can totally change the mood of a room, you know? It's all about creating that cozy atmosphere where you wanna snuggle up with a good book and a cuppa 
️. I'm definitely gonna try out her tips on embracing my own personal season 
. Who says winter has to be boring?! Not me 
. But seriously, have you ever stopped to think that winter might actually be kinda awesome? Like, Leibowitz is onto something here - the Nordic approach to embracing the season is all about finding beauty in the cold and darkness. It's not about hating on the snow or anything (although I do love a good snowy day 
. So yeah, I'm feeling inspired to get outside, even in the chilliest of temps, and just enjoy the vibe. Who's with me? 
. 
. I think we need to stop trying to force productivity all the time and just let ourselves slow down for a bit 
.
! It's amazing how much of a difference a little ambiance can make to our overall mood and atmosphere 
. And I love Leibowitz's phrase "let's light up the night" - it's so inspiring 
It's like, our bodies are designed to work harder in the winter, right? We just need to adapt. And I love this idea of having a "personal season" where you take time to rest and recharge. Like, if you're feeling burnt out, it's not because you're lazy, it's just your body is saying 'slow down'. 
. And don't even get me started on that "blue hour" in Tromsø - it sounds like pure magic 
! Like, who says cold weather is bad? I remember watching those Northern Lights videos on YouTube and thinking they were straight out of a sci-fi movie 
. And yes, I agree that getting outside is essential – even if it's just for a quick walk around the block 
️. It's funny how sometimes we need to slow down and listen to our bodies (and minds) - my anxiety tends to spiral out of control when I'm stuck in productivity mode 
.
It's like nothing else matters except for the soft glow of the light. And Leibowitz makes some super valid points about embracing a "personal season" where you focus on rest and recovery instead of just pushing through with productivity. For me, it's all about finding those cozy little moments to yourself, like lighting candles or sipping hot chocolate by the window. 
. And don't even get me started on the whole "embrace your personal season" vibe. Who hasn't been there, stuck in a rut trying to adult when really they just want to binge-watch Netflix and eat ice cream? I need some concrete examples or research to back up this winter-wonderland nonsense 
.
. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a total introvert and I get grumpy when it's dark outside, but I've been trying to adopt this "winter mindset" thing... which is basically about embracing the darkness and finding magic in it 
. It's all about perspective, you know? Instead of seeing it as a time to hibernate, we can see it as an opportunity to slow down, get creative, and just enjoy the weird, quiet beauty of winter 
. And can we talk about how cool it would be to see the world in that blue hour glow? It's like the whole city is one giant Instagram filter 
. Maybe it's time for me to trade in my hiking boots for a pair of fuzzy socks and a good book 
on a serious note tho, i totally agree we shouldnt be forced into being all productive and busy 24/7, our bodies and minds need breaks too