“Winter solitude— In a world of one color The sound of wind.” - Basho
The other night I was walking my dog in the bitter cold weather. My teeth and jaws were clenched tight, my face was scrunched up like a raisin, and my body was hunched over and closed in. Hardened against the cold, I felt in conflict with the cold air, and a strong desire to return to the warmth of home ASAP.
Winter dread is real, and possibly connected to the hardwiring of our brains to memories of our ancient ancestral past when winter posed real threat to survival. Today, many people experience winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which may require medical attention.
However, there are alternatives to the human tendency to battle winter that can support our well-being. In fact, Scandinavians – experts on winter coping strategies – have many traditions that celebrate the season. Is it possible that these traditions can transform my relationship with cold weather, which after all, I cannot change? All this fighting is exhausting!
You may wonder what battling winter has to do with yoga. Everything! Consider this section of The Yoga Sutras, 2.33, “When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones should be thought of. . .” Noticing attitudes about and adjusting responses to weather is practicing yoga. (For more on this sutra, please check out my blog post, “Practicing with Patanjali, Part One: Things are Not Just One Way”)
Find Something to Love: Develop a Positive Winter Mindset.
Everything starts in the mind, so think of things that you enjoy about winter. This could be anything like lighting a fireplace, having more time to read or contemplate, or cooking and eating the comfort foods that you love. Recall fond winter pleasures and allow the feeling of enjoyment to flood your awareness.
Get Cozy Indoors: Try Hygge.
Building on the positive winter mindset, you can experiment with hygge (scroll down for a link to hear the pronunciation) and create your own pleasurable winter experiences. Hygge (Norwegian) -- practiced throughout Scandinavia – means cultivating a mood of coziness, comfort, and delight during winter months. With hygge you design your space and enhance your mood with things you love and that are “just right” in winter: candlelight, your favorite warm sweater, thick, warm blankets, plush socks and slippers, and a warm beverage.
Go Outside, Get Fresh Air, and Enjoy Nature – Anyway!
Maybe you’re not “a winter person” but you might try another Scandinavian tradition: friluftsliv (find a link to hear the pronunciation below). A word used by Swedes, Danes and Norwegians it translates as “fresh-air life.” Friluftsliv means bundling up and going outdoors whatever the weather; being active and immersing yourself in nature. Anything goes here (you don’t have to ski!): you can listen to the wind, gaze at a tree, or observe clouds or the night sky. (Fun fact: Friluftsliv is a philosophy that was popularized in Nordic culture in the 1800's and appeared in a poem by the Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen.)
Enjoy a Cup of Yogi Tea for Hygge Anytime.
This delicious, warming, antioxidant chai tea aids digestion and gives you energy. The spices are also beneficial: ginger settles the stomach and is known as an anti-inflammatory; cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves are digestive aids and black pepper may provide pain relief. Makes 8 cups. Recipe adapted from “Yogi Tea Chai,” by Ann Pizer, RYT.
Ingredients:
2 quarts water
15 cloves, whole
20 cardamom pods
20 black peppercorns
3 sticks cinnamon
8 slices ginger, 1/4" thick, no need to peel
1/2 tsp robust black tea (such as English Breakfast, Indian Assam, or Chinese Keemun, regular or decaffeinated; approximately 2 tea bags)
Method:
Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan.
Add the cloves and boil one minute.
Split the cardamom pods first by gently squashing them with the side of a knife. Add the cardamom, peppercorns, cinnamon, and ginger to the saucepan. Cover and boil for 30 minutes.
Reduce the heat and simmer for one to two hours.
Remove the pot from the heat, add the black tea, and let it cool.
Strain all the spices and tea leaves out, discard them, and serve hot.
Options:
Dried, powdered spices may be substituted, but the flavor won't be as robust.
Add a splash of dairy milk or a non-dairy alternative milk.
Add your sweetener of choice such as honey or agave.
Store leftover brewed yogi tea in the refrigerator. Then reheat when you’re ready for your next cup.
Go Deeper.
Pronounce hygge:
Pronounce friluftsliv:
Sources:
Haiku by Basho, Japanpowered.com
Yoga Sutra: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami Satchidanda, Integral Yoga Publications, 1978
“Sick of Winter? Think Like a Norwegian,” by Kari Leibowitz, The Paper Gown, Zocdoc
“What Scandinavians Have to Teach the World About Winter,” Dailyscandinavian.com
“The Scandinavian way to tackle winter,” BBC.com/culture
“Yogi Spiced Tea,” lifeisbetterwithtea.com
“Yogi Tea Chai,” by Ann Pizer, RYT, verywellfit.com
Photo: Linda Strauss
Very interesting article, well written and researched. Lots of good ideas for loving winter! Hygge is something everyone can do at home. I bet when we make the tea, our house will fill with the aroma of hygee! Thank you for sharing your ideas.