Dreading winter? Here's how to change that..

Are you looking forward to winter? I thought not. 

This time of year is rarely people’s favourite and there is a lot of gloom and despondency about its approach. We focus on the dark nights, the endless colds, the terrible weather…
But what if we could shift our thinking so that we didn’t dread winter?

Being with a Swede for the past 11 years, I have discovered that in Scandinavia there is more of a tendency towards a particular winter mindset; actually looking forward to the season and embracing its onset. Yes, Scandinavians do have snow, cross-country skiing, mulled wine and cosy homes, but they also have endless dark nights and months of sub-zero temperatures, so finding a way to enjoy, as opposed to endure winter is very important. We can’t change our gloomy weather, but we can shift our perception of the season and this, without doubt, alters our life experience for the better. 

So, what can we do differently?

Change our language

On the whole, we tend to be more negative about this time of year and our language certainly reflects that. But when we ‘dread’ ‘get through’ ‘endure’ and ‘hate’ winter, it feels harder. Practitioners of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) believe that there is a connection between the words that we use and the emotions we feel. It doesn’t mean that we are falsely positive, but by being aware of our language and choosing differently, we may see a shift in how we feel. It can also affect those around us positively when we say something like ‘There are quite a few things I like about winter’ or ‘I don’t really mind this weather’. The whole energy of the conversation can shift and can take on a more positive tone. Good for everyone!

Try to focus on pleasure over pain

Just like anything we practice repeatedly, whatever we focus on becomes stronger in our mind and by directing our attention towards pleasure, we will naturally start to feel more of it. It’s not necessarily an easy shift to make, but one that is certainly worth it. In the context of winter, for example, when you come into the house after walking back in a biting wind, instead of complaining about how dreadful it was, try to allow yourself to focus on the pleasure of the warmth as you enter your home. The more you practice this and, actually start to look for pleasure in your daily life, the more you will start to find it, in winter and the rest of the year too.

Plan ahead

What is the hardest thing about winter for you? Is it the dark nights? The cold?

Which part of winter do you struggle with the most? Is it the onset or do you like the earlier festive months and then struggle in January and February?

Knowing this about yourself, you can make a winter plan. Our ancestors would have had to think ahead for survival, and even though our basic needs are now met, it doesn’t mean we won’t benefit from filling our own ‘winter stores’. In a world where quick-fix and instant gratification are the norm, it can feel good to save that new book, lovely scented candle or trip knowing that it is ready and waiting for the times when the worst of the winter blues are most likely to appear. There is something to relish just over the horizon. 

Even having an awareness that we can create a winter mindset and that we are not simply at the mercy of our external environment or circumstances, can be a hugely powerful insight. We actually get to choose.

Maybe this winter might feel different after all?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash