WINTER: The Secret to Thriving in the Darkest Season
Jan 16, 2025
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Kari Leibowitz, psychologist and author of "How to Winter," explores the psychology of winter and how to thrive in the cold. She shares insights on shifting our mindset to find joy in winter, inspired by communities in Tromsø and Scandinavian traditions like hygge. Kari discusses the health benefits of cold exposure, the importance of outdoor activities, and the emotional significance of winter rituals. Listeners will discover practical tips to cultivate positivity and embrace the unique beauty of the darkest season.
Psychologist Kari Leibowitz highlights that embracing a positive mindset can significantly alter our emotional experiences during winter months.
The episode outlines three strategies to enjoy winter: appreciating its unique qualities, engaging in joyful activities, and getting outside.
Cultural perspectives, such as the Danish concept of 'hygge,' emphasize finding warmth and joy in simplicity during the colder season.
Deep dives
Transforming Winter Perspectives
The episode explores the contrasting perceptions of winter, particularly through the lens of those who enjoy it versus those who find it challenging. One guest, Carrie Leibowitz, shares her journey from hating winter to appreciating it after living in a location north of the Arctic Circle. She illustrates that residents in extremely cold and dark places often embrace winter activities instead of dreading the season. This idea challenges traditional beliefs about winter as merely a time of gloom, showing that a positive mindset can transform one’s experience of the season.
Mindset's Impact on Seasonal Enjoyment
The power of mindset is emphasized as a crucial factor in how individuals experience winter. Leibowitz connects this concept to research suggesting that people can cultivate a perspective that sees winter as an opportunity rather than a burden. By changing expectations, individuals can shift their focus from the negative aspects of winter to finding joy in seasonal activities. This principle of mindset suggests that the way we frame our thoughts can significantly alter our emotional experience during colder months.
Strategies for Embracing Winter
The episode outlines three key strategies for cultivating a positive winter mindset: appreciating winter, making it special, and getting outside. Appreciating winter involves recognizing its unique qualities and beauty, while making it special encourages engaging in winter-centric activities that bring joy. Getting outside, despite the cold, promotes physical and psychological benefits, as exposure to the elements can invigorate and enhance well-being. These strategies empower listeners to view winter through a lens of enjoyment and fulfillment.
Cultural Differences in Seasonal Happiness
Leibowitz compares American attitudes toward winter with those in Scandinavian countries, where people often embrace low arousal positive emotions associated with the season. The concept of 'hygge,' a Danish term for coziness, is discussed as a way to create warmth and community during the colder months. This cultural perspective highlights that happiness can be found in simplicity and tranquility, contrasting with the high-energy activities often celebrated in the U.S. By adopting similar values, individuals can enrich their winter experiences.
The Health Benefits of Cold Exposure
The episode discusses the physiological advantages of cold exposure, including the activation of brown fat and the improvement of metabolic health. Regular exposure to cold has been linked to better immune function, reduced inflammation, and overall well-being. Leibowitz also points out cultural practices like exposing babies to cold air outdoors that further emphasize the positive effects of winter on health. Understanding these benefits encourages listeners to seek out cold experiences rather than avoid them, reaffirming winter's potential for vitality.
In our deeply divided nation, there's one thing many of us seem to agree on: winter is the worst. A recent study found that nearly half of Americans would skip winter if they could. Yet not everyone dreads the cold months. Psychologist Kari Leibowitz has spent years studying these winter-lovers, and she's arrived at a surprising truth: people who thrive this time of year aren't just born that way — they've learned to see the season differently. So can you.