Embracing Winter with a Fresh Mindset
Many find winter challenging, but Kari Leibowitz offers a fresh perspective on embracing and even enjoying it.
How to Winter is an essential read for anyone wanting to improve their winter mindset, boost their well-being, and find joy in the colder months.
Transforming the Winter Mindset
In How to Winter, Kari Leibowitz offers an inspiring and transformative guide on changing our mindset about winter, making it perfect for anyone looking to enhance their mental health during the colder months.
The book challenges our common perceptions of winter as a season to endure, instead presenting it as a time that can be embraced and enjoyed if we approach it differently.
Leibowitz draws on her personal experience of moving to Tromsø, Norway, above the Arctic Circle, to understand why the people there not only survive but thrive during long, dark winters.
Shifting Our Winter Mindset
The core idea of How to Winter revolves around shifting our winter mindset—instead of dreading the cold and expecting it to be miserable, we can learn to view it as an opportunity for unique experiences and moments of beauty.
Kari shares a personal story of how she initially struggled with winter but began to appreciate it after intentionally looking for small joys, like the beauty of snow-covered trees during her walks in Tromsø.
This shift in perspective is backed by the concepts of the placebo and nocebo effects: our expectations about winter can significantly influence how we experience it.
If we expect winter to be awful, our experience is more likely to match those negative expectations. However, if we shift our focus to find the positive aspects, winter can become a season of wonder.
Connecting with Nature During Winter
Leibowitz also emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature as a powerful way to improve mental well-being during winter. She draws on research that shows how simply paying attention to the natural world around us can improve our mental health.
Whether it’s observing the unique quality of winter light, appreciating the crispness of the air, or noticing the stillness of a snowy landscape, these small moments can help us reconnect with nature and break free from negative thought patterns.
For example, taking a daily walk around your neighborhood, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes, and consciously noticing the trees, the sky, and the sounds around you can be a simple yet effective way to incorporate this practice into your winter routine.
Embracing Low-Arousal Positive Emotions
Another key aspect of How to Winter is the idea of embracing low-arousal positive emotions, such as calm, contentment, and coziness, which are particularly beneficial during the winter season.
Leibowitz encourages readers to find contentment, calm, and coziness during winter—emotions that don’t rely on high-energy experiences but rather on quiet, peaceful moments.
The Danish concept of hygge, which refers to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, plays an important role here.
Leibowitz suggests simple practices like dimming the lights, lighting candles, and creating cozy spaces as a way to find joy during the colder months.
For example, you could create a hygge atmosphere by setting aside a specific evening each week to enjoy a hot drink under a warm blanket while reading a favorite book, or inviting friends over for a cozy dinner with soft lighting and comforting food.
Redefining Winter Through Cultural Perspectives
How to Winter also challenges us to redefine winter by exploring it through different cultural perspectives, helping readers see the season in a new light.
For example, the indigenous Sami people of Northern Europe recognize eight seasons instead of four, acknowledging the subtle shifts and variations within winter itself.
By paying attention to these shifts, winter can feel less like a long, unchanging slog and more like a dynamic season filled with opportunities for new experiences.
Readers can apply this perspective by identifying the different ‘micro-seasons’ in their environment—such as the transition from the first snowfall to the thaw, or the lengthening days in late winter—and finding ways to celebrate or appreciate these changes.
The Importance of Outdoor Activities in Winter
Leibowitz further advocates for the importance of winter outdoor activities, drawing inspiration from Scandinavian cultures to help readers enjoy the colder months.
She encourages readers to adapt to winter conditions and find ways to be comfortable outside, whether it’s through proper clothing or simply being intentional about enjoying the crisp air.
Practical tips include dressing in layers to stay warm, investing in waterproof and windproof clothing, wearing insulated boots, and using accessories like gloves and hats to protect extremities.
Additionally, carrying hand warmers and using traction devices like ice cleats can make outdoor activities safer and more enjoyable. This approach, she argues, can make winter outings a refreshing and positive experience.
Building Community During Winter
How to Winter also highlights the power of community and shared experiences in transforming our relationship with winter, making it an ideal read for those looking to enhance their social well-being during the season.
Leibowitz cites the example of Edmonton, Canada, where investments in winter infrastructure and a shift in the cultural narrative have helped create a more positive relationship with the season.
By celebrating winter through festivals, outdoor activities, and creating community spaces, Edmonton has transformed its cold months into something that brings people together rather than isolating them.
For example, readers could organize a neighborhood winter festival with activities like snowman-building contests, hot chocolate stands, or winter nature walks to foster a sense of community and make winter more enjoyable.
Conclusion: Thriving in Winter
How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz is not just a guide to surviving winter; it’s an invitation to rethink how we perceive the season and discover ways to truly thrive in it.
Leibowitz’s message is ultimately one of hope—that by shifting our mindset, we can not only transform our personal experience of winter but also contribute to a more positive future for ourselves and the planet.
The book is a powerful reminder that winter is what we make of it and that with the right mindset, we might even find ourselves looking forward to it.
Many people who have adopted these practices report feeling more connected to their community, finding unexpected moments of joy, and even experiencing an improved sense of well-being during the colder months.
Ready to Transform Your Winter?
Ready to transform your winter experience? Pick up How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz today and start embracing the hidden joys of the colder months.
You might just find yourself falling in love with winter.