How to Thrive & not Just Survive this Winter.
Top of MacAulay Mountain - Winter 2020.
If you live in Canada, you probably are obsessed with the weather because we have four distinct seasons with a range in some regions of temperatures from -30C in the Winter to 30C in the Summer. These seasons ultimately impact your energy level, emotional state and how you spend your time.
My favourite seasons are Autumn and Spring, and I used to despise Winter until I realized that my negative thinking and disdain for 4-5 months a year was not the best thing for my mental health, and I needed an attitude shakeup.
Now, I enjoy Winter and look forward to it. Nothing is more beautiful than walking through the forest on a sunny day after a snowfall or examining the intricate pattern of a snowflake.
Can you see the possibility of a mind shift for the next few months?
Winter Thriving Tips
Prepare for the Winter
A little prep time can prevent incidents from becoming full-blown emergencies.
Home
Check the furnace and change the filter if needed.
Clean gutters and make sure downspouts are working.
Make sure the dryer vent is clear.
Seal and caulk areas around vents and exhaust pipes to prevent rodents.
Cover windows with plastic if air leaks from them. Source
Car
Get a tune-up, including an oil change.
Install your snow tires.
Prepare for emergencies and ensure your car has the following: extra windshield wiper fluid, salt, shovel, blanket, bottled water and protein bars.
Is your CAS membership up to date? If you don’t have one, consider it.
Clothing
Pack up your summer clothing.
Look over your winter clothing. Does any of it need mending?
Ensure that you have high-quality winter gear; a long coat covering your hips, warm boots with deep treads, and numerous pairs of mitts/gloves, scarfs and hats. This may seem obvious, but it warrants mentioning how often I see people shivering because they are poorly dressed.
I have excellent Winter outerwear that keeps me toasty and boots with deep treads-yet I still have had several slips. I now take a walking stick with me on my walks and plan to purchase a pair of ice traction cleats.
Proper gear will make it more likely that you will get outside and prevent frostbite or a slip on a sneaky ice patch.
Change Your Attitude
Did you know that most of the happiest countries in the world endure long, cold winters and, at times, have no daylight for at least a month? We certainly have these conditions in Northern Canada, but we didn’t make Global Citizen’s annual list.
According to them, these are the 10 Happiest Counties in the world:
1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Switzerland
5. Netherlands
6. Sweden
7. Germany
8. Norway
9. New Zealand
10. Austria
These counties, including New Zealand, embrace Winter by participating in outdoor activities like skiing, skating and tobogganing. These countries are doing something right, and I believe their collective cultural approach to life includes accepting and embracing Winter. Of course, many Canadians participate in outdoor adventures, but I hear more complaints about the Winter than I do about plans for activities.
Hygge (pronounced Hoo-gah) is a defining characteristic of Danish culture. The concept includes cosiness, creating a warm and happy atmosphere while enjoying the simple things in life, no matter the time of year or temperature outside.
It also embodies wellness by slowing down, relaxing with others, and embracing life's simple and small pleasures. Allowing these concepts to become a part of your life will make everyday life more pleasant and the cold months bearable.
Kari Leibowitz, an American psychology student who spent a year living in Tromsø , Norway, was intrigued by their resilience. She read studies, performed surveys and discovered that the residents experienced lower rates of winter depression than elsewhere in the world. She also noticed that people had a positive attitude towards Winter, and they talked about it with excitement.
She stated, “ They were really looking forward to the snow because people there love to ski… and how it was such a beautiful time of year.” and “They were seeing this time of year as full of opportunity.” She also found the people who were more satisfied with their lives also had a positive attitude towards Winter. Source
Optimize Your Space
Just because it is cold and dark outside doesn’t mean it has to be that way inside.
If you are working from home, spruce up your working space by decluttering and organizing your work area, surround yourself with plants, pictures of loved ones, uplifting artwork and maybe some SAD lights to boost your mood.
You will be spending more time indoors, so organize your house the same way you would a workspace. Nothing will lower your mood quicker than a messy and disorganized home.
Consider using candles in the evening to create a lovely ambience, and if your budget allows it, purchase a bright boutique of flowers every few weeks.
Your Mood & Overall Health
The impact of Winter is felt physically and psychologically, which can severely impact your mood and your body. It’s therefore essential that your self-care remain a priority.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is lowest in the Winter which can cause vitamin D deficiency and infections. Vitamin D is made in our skin following sunlight exposure and is also found in oily fish (mackerel, tuna and sardines), mushrooms, fortified dairy, and non-dairy substitutes, essential for good health. Humans need vitamin D to keep healthy and to fight infections. The irony is that in Winter when people need vitamin D the most, most of us are not getting enough. You should increase your Vitamin D supplements to 600 IU per day.
Not only is vitamin D critical for healthy bones, but it also plays an essential role in maintaining health in the GI tract, which can prevent inflammatory bowel diseases. Source
Mood
Pay attention to your emotional welling being during the Winter months. Colder months mean less sunlight, which can trigger conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a mental illness that may cause constant fatigue, change in appetite, irritability, hopelessness and oversleeping.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, SAD impacts two to three per cent of Canadians, but another 15 per cent will experience a milder form.
It’s important to monitor how much you isolate. Of course, it’s normal to be spending more time indoors, which can lead to more alone time, which can be quite lovely. Still, if you are alone most of the time and not making any effort to get together with friends and family, then it might be time to speak to a close friend, family member for your family doctor about your experience. It can become a vicious cycle-you don’t feel like going outside because you feel bad and it’s too cold, but going outside will improve your mood.
Move every day and maintain a healthy diet.
A few days of overindulging with food and alcohol and being a couch potato is expected, especially during the holiday season. Moderation is your best friend, so keep it close by.
My morning walk in 2020. Glenwood Cemetery, Picton, Ontario.
Get Outside Every Single Day
This is tough if you are sensitive to or not a fan of the cold. However, if you dress appropriately, the movement of your body will increase your core temperature, and you will quickly feel warm. Just ensure your feet, hands and face are protected.
If this seems impossible for you, keep it simple. Take a 15-20 minute walk around your block, walk to a favourite café (most allow indoor seating), get a coffee or tea, and read the paper.
Find a walking buddy or hiking group. Get a dog, or volunteer to walk a friend’s dog. On cold mornings I would rather stay in my pj's until noon, but my pooch Peggy requires an early morning walk. I also meet a good friend twice a week for early morning walks. I NEVER feel like going, but once I’m dressed and moving, I’m grateful for the morning stillness and feel energized for the rest of the day.
If morning walks are not possible for you during the week, then at least get outside during your lunch hour when the sun is at its peak, and you can reap its benefits.
Are there any other winter activities that you would enjoy?
Here are some examples of winter-specific outdoor activities that are worth trying out.
Downhill (alpine) snow skiing
Cross-country skiing
Snowboarding
Ice skating
Ice hockey
Tobogganing
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling
I used to enjoy downhill skiing and tobogganing and haven’t participated for years and have no intention of trying them again because I have to protect my noggin. I’ve even found cross country skiing too challenging, so my winter activities include long walks and hikes, snowshoeing and skating.
Try New Indoor Activities
Continue binge-watching your favourite shows; just avoid doing so every day. We usually only watch our shows on Friday nights; that way, we have something to look forward to, and we slow down getting to the end. Anticipation is a beautiful thing.
Dust off some old board games or bust out some new ones. Maybe work on a jigsaw puzzle or learn how to knit.
Read. Read. Read,
On windy, dreary days, stay indoors and focus on things that need to get done around your home. Do you have some purging to do?
Reach out to friends and family even if you are always the one initiating. We need our connections more than ever. Earlier in the month, I hosted a girl’s gathering-8 neighbourhood gals dropped by for some cheer and dancing. We had so much fun and decided to continue these gatherings throughout the Winter to help us cope.
Last Christmas was hard. There was a lockdown, and most of us were not seeing our family and friends. I saw my daughter a few days after Christmas for a hike. As lovely as it was to see her, it just wasn’t the same as sitting down for a large meal together. This year many of us will be gathering with our loved ones. It will be fantastic, but can also be a stressful time, so make meal time easy by hosting a potluck, so you don’t have to do all the work.
Bring an attitude of Hygge to your life for the next few months.
After the Winter Solstice on December 21st, the amount of daylight increases each day by a few minutes. This is something to look forward to.
Be well.
Anita
