Are you wintering all wrong? How to stay happy in the cold

As temperatures in the UK plummet below zero and an amber cold health alert is issued, heated debates over the temperature dial in homes and offices across the nation ramp up.

“Summer people” immediately crank up the heating to 30 and start googling winter in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, “winter lovers” or “snow aficionados” are enthusiastically lighting wood burners, pulling on winter layers and listening to Kate Bush’s 50 Words for Snow. Some will defiantly go for morning runs, and crack on with a new year regime of protein-no-carb diets, while others will throw on another layer and boast about the power of barley soup.

Part of how much someone feels the cold will be based on science. The thyroid, for example, plays an important role in regulating body temperature, as does the hypothalamus function (the structure deep in your brain that regulates individual core temperature). Another factor is gender – don’t even go there with bedroom temperature and duvet wars during menopause. Unsurprisingly stress is also key, feeling excessively cold all the time can be a symptom of anxiety.

James Mercer, a professor at UiT, Norway’s Arctic University, says the Norwegian expression for the people who consistently complain about the cold is “freezer sticks”. They often say that they feel cold, especially their hands and feet, even when others are warm and comfortable. But research shows that body mass and size have a lot to do with this phenomenon and studies also show that often these people really are cold – not just whiny.

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But whether you run hot or cold, all of us can learn the art of “wintering well” from Scandinavians who know a thing or two about good physical and mental health over the chilly, dark months. They also have special words to describe how they do it.

Most will be aware of hygge, pronounced “hoo-gah” and defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing”, regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture.

But what about gluggavedur? The Icelandic word that means finding joy and contentment in looking at terrible weather out the window from the comfort of the warm inside. Or the Norwegian word Koselig, which describes the feeling of cosiness and being comfortable in a social setting. It’s about contentment, intimacy, warmth and creating a pleasant environment.

In Tromso, Norway, the sun doesn’t rise at all for two months. At most, they get a few hours of indirect light a day from the end of November to the end of January. Yet the residents have low rates of seasonal depression, as they have a “positive wintertime mindset”.

Good wintering is all about “living seasonally” and embracing the opportunities a cold snap offers to rest and recharge. By aligning our daily routines to the seasons, along with experiences that harness the power of cold can offer, we can get huge wellness benefits. Travel companies are tapping into this movement. Arctic Bath is a unique hotel and spa experience in Swedish Lapland that encourages guests to enjoy the elements by offering seasonal food, cold baths and guided tours of the Arctic.

But you don’t have to jump into freezing cold plunge pools and book a ski holiday to feel good. Properly enjoying this time means immersing oneself in the culture of cold. Of course, sitting by a roaring fire in The Fife Arms in Braemar, or some other such cosy establishment, with a fine malt, would be a good way to spend January. But, for a more long-term fix, simply adopting a positive mindset is vital to wintering well, as well as a gentle approach and finding achievable coping strategies that enable us to see this as a golden opportunity to reset and live softly.

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A giant squashy sofa, preferably velvet, you can visibly sink into it. Lots of giant downy cushions and a mohair blanket are also vital in order to feel enveloped in softness. Pets should also be allowed to snuggle up for maximum softness, or if you don’t have any pets, a small, non-wriggly child is also quite cosy. A real fire, candlelight and a glass of red wine or cup of tea are also advised.

Also known as Quiet Luxury, involves any natural fibres, particularly cashmere. A pair of cashmere socks are perfect. Other essential soft items include brushed cotton pyjamas, microfibre dressing gowns, fleece tops and sheepskin slippers. Wool shawls and oversized cardigans are all good for wrapping up.

A wonderful, wise woman once said: “If I want to be heard I speak more softly than usual as it makes people listen to me.” This is a great idea and actually makes one feel calmer in stressful situations – save the shouting for when you really do need to let off some steam!

Enough with all the running and working out, going for a long walk in nature, pilates, yoga or even just a dance round the kitchen to your favourite Kate Bush song (try not to let anyone see, as they may not understand your particular form of interpretive dance) is a softer approach to exercise.

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Being kind to yourself and others and taking time to rest and enjoy the simple gentle things in life that don’t cost anything, but make you feel good – chatting to friends, lighting a fire, having an up-to-your-neck bubble bath, making soup or meditating – are all great ways of living softly. Giving other people the benefit of the doubt is also a more gentle approach to relationships. If someone is acting strangely or being unkind, try asking what’s going on in their life – maybe they’re unhappy, or simply need a friend. Throw them a line instead of pulling up the drawbridge.

Another Norwegian word (these Norwegians are great at wintering) friluftsliv roughly translates to “open-air-living”. Like hygge, but instead of finding comfort indoors, friluftsliv is about finding it outdoors. Be it immersing oneself in icy water – potentially letting out a little scream, if you aren’t used to that practice – and then wrapping up in a robe, or simply walking outdoors every day, whatever the weather, there is nothing better for the soul than connecting with nature and breathing fresh air. As someone very wisely once said: there is no such thing as wrong weather, just wrong clothes.

Lastly, if your plans involve lots of Netflix by candlelight, don’t watch Society of the Snow, not because it’s bad it’s amazing – but it will make you feel really, really cold…

Jane Kellock is a trend forecaster at uniquestyleplatform.com