Speaking of Psychology Encore: Learning to embrace winter, with Kari Leibowitz, PhD
Dec 24, 2025
Kari Leibowitz, PhD, a health psychologist and author of How to Winter, explores the Scandinavian mindset towards winter, emphasizing its beauty and coziness. She shares insights from her time in Tromsø, highlighting how embracing seasonal changes can enhance well-being. Leibowitz offers strategies to shift winter perspectives, such as creating cozy rituals and engaging with nature. She discusses the impacts of climate change on winter culture and showcases health benefits tied to various winter traditions worldwide.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Surprised By Tromsø's Polar Night
- Dr. Kari Leibowitz moved to Tromsø for a year and expected to struggle with extreme darkness and cold.
- She was surprised to find the polar night gentle, beautiful, and embraced by many locals as magical and cozy.
Mindsets Shape Seasonal Experience
- Mindsets are broad assumptions about how things work, like "winter is wonderful" or "winter is dreadful."
- These core beliefs shape attention, motivation, and how we experience seasons.
Actively Reframe Your Winter Mindset
- Notice and name your winter mindset and deliberately shift attention toward what you like about the season.
- Create rituals and use social support to build motivation and reshape how you experience winter.