436. How to Winter with Kari Leibowitz

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Nov 26, 2025

Kari Leibowitz, a health psychologist and author, shares her transformation from a winter hater to an advocate for embracing the cold months. She discusses her research in Arctic contexts and how mindsets profoundly impact well-being during winter. Kari emphasizes recognizing both challenges and joys of the season, rejecting toxic positivity. She provides practical strategies to thrive in winter, including intentional lighting and engaging in seasonal hobbies. Listeners will find insightful ways to shift their winter narratives and enhance their enjoyment of this often-overlooked time.

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ANECDOTE

From Winter Hater To Research Discoverer

Dr. Kari Leibowitz went to Tromsø, Norway, expecting high winter depression but found people embraced winter.
Her research revealed positive wintertime mindsets linked to more positive emotions and life satisfaction.

INSIGHT

How Mindsets Produce Cascading Effects

Mindsets shape attention, motivation, behavior, and thus health and well-being.
Changing your wintertime mindset triggers a cascade that makes winter feel more manageable and enjoyable.

ADVICE

Interrupt Negative Winter Scripts

Notice and name your winter scripts to interrupt negative narratives and practice mindful checking of actual sensations.
Use that pause to reframe what you notice and avoid catastrophizing normal winter tiredness.

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If you shudder when Daylight Saving Time ends and the colder months settle in, or if winter leaves you feeling stuck in a funk, we’re here to present a different way to look at this stretch of the year.

In this episode, Kari Leibowitz, a health psychologist and author of 'How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days,' joins Debbie to talk about her journey from being a self-proclaimed winter hater to a winter embracer.

Kari shows us the impact of mindsets on our well-being, particularly during the cold, dark months, and offers practical strategies drawn from global research. You’ll also learn about the power of wintertime mindsets, adaptations for enjoying the season, and how to turn winter's perceived limitations into opportunities.

Whether you love or loathe winter, this conversation will provide many tips to help you find joy and thrive during this often challenging season.

Listen and Learn:

How Kari’s accidental deep dive into Arctic life launched her decade-long exploration into winter mindsets and human flourishing
How adopting a positive winter mindset can transform the season from something to endure into a source of enjoyment, opportunity, and greater well-being
The ways mindsets shape your attention, motivation, behavior, and well-being, and how you can thrive during winter instead of merely enduring it
Embracing a nuanced wintertime mindset to recognize both the challenges and pleasures of winter, stay present with your actual experiences, and develop a balanced, resilient, and practical approach to the season
How seasonal changes naturally affect your energy and mood, and why embracing rest and adjusting expectations in winter can be healthy
Evidence-based strategies to manage seasonal affective disorder that improve mood, resilience, and long-term well-being.

Resources:

Kari’s Website: https://www.karileibowitz.com/
How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days: https://bookshop.org/a/30734/9780593653753
Kari’s Substack, Wintery Mix: https://wintrymix.substack.com/

About Kari Leibowitz

Kari Leibowitz is a health psychologist, speaker, and writer, and the author of How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days. She received her PhD in Psychology from Stanford University, served as a US-Norway Fulbright Scholar, and taught the ‘Mindsets Matter’ Stanford Continuing Studies Course. Leibowitz combines scholarly expertise with practical strategies to help people understand and harness the power of their mindsets and find joy in winter. Her writing on the power of wintertime mindset has appeared in the Atlantic, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. She has taught winter workshops to businesses, universities, non-profits, and organizations around the world. Kari lives in Amsterdam with her husband, son, and dog, where she is learning to love biking in the rain.

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