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The Scandinavian Secrets to Surviving Winter

Matilda Hansson

With snow storms and massive temperatures drops we're facing a winter unlike anything we're used, it may be a good time to learn from the Scandinavians on how to really tackle winter.

The Scandinavian Secret to Surviving the Winter Months

With a harsh winter ahead, we are arguably not accustomed to dealing with snowstorms and freezing temperatures, so why not take a page from Scandinavians book. They are arguably highly qualified to give advice on how to best survive cold and darks winters, here are some things to learn from Scandi's about how you should deal with winter, snow and ice.

Take care of your skin

Dry and blistering skin is an unfortunate side effect of the cold and windy months. Regularly applying thick creams is a good way to avoid drying skin, Nivea Cream is especially great to apply on your lips and cheeks when spending time outdoors. If temperatures are well below freezing make sure not to go outside with wet hair and to not use water based makeup or lotions on your face as this can lead to frost bite.

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Drive carefully and get snow tires

Snow tires, although not entirely uncommon in the UK isn't mandatory as it is in the Scandinavian countries. Snow tires help avoid accidents due to ice and snow on the road, if forecasts predicts low temperatures for a longer period of time considering getting snow tires might be wise. It also important to be prepared during the colder months, if you are in an accident or you need to make an emergency stop for a longer period of time you might be caught in low temperatures for hours, so always keep emergency items in the car, this should include warm clothes, hats and gloves, water, flashlights, blankets, first-aid kit and reflector vest. It's also good to have a shovel for snow as well as traction mats that can help get you out of you get stuck in snow.

Wear the right clothes

Wearing the right clothes is extremely important during cold weather. When temperatures reach -10 degrees it's important to start wearing base layers, you can get ones especially made for low temperature but that are thin enough to go under your normal clothes. Of course the right shoes are also important, wearing waterproof and warm boots will help you keep warm and dry, getting shoes with deep ridges and thick bottom soles will help you no slip. Remember that even though it is cold and snowing as soon as the snow touches your body it will melt, so wearing waterproof clothes such as gore-tex is important as getting wet during cold weather can make you sick. For children snowsuits are a great option to keep them warm and dry while playing out in the snow. Wooly socks are of course also a must!

Tackle black ice with dubbed shoes

When temperatures shift quickly between plus and minus degrees, the risk for black ice increases, even slushed snow on the side walk can be dangerous without the right shoes. For this reason Scandinavians wear dubbed winter shoes, you can get them as both attachments that you put on any pair of shoes you have, or you can get ones that are integrated into the shoes that can switch between dubbed and normal shoes by using a key.

How to survive the dark months

No one know darkness like the Scandinavians, usually getting only a few hours of dimmed sunlight every day for many months you start lacking certain nutrients and can also lead to SAD (seasonal affective disorder.) To tackle this Scandinavians take daily doses of Vitamin D, it's even mandatory for children under the age of two to take it daily to make up for the lack of exposure to sun. Scandinavians are also known to take any chance to bask in the sun as soon as it appears, just standing outside enjoying the rays for a little while every day makes a difference to your mood. When the sun doesn't rise until past eight it can be hard to wake up in the morning when you're shrouded in darkness, a wake up light is a great way to create a fake sunrise and help gently waking your body with the help of simulated sunshine.

Reflectors

During dark months, visibility gets significantly affected, especially if you live in the countryside, to keep both yourself and drivers safe make yourself visible using reflectors that you keep on your jackets and bags. Reflector vests are also great for both you and your pets and children to wear, you can even get reflectors to attach on the wheels of your puschchair.

Dry clothes and dry home

Dry clothes and shoes are very important as wearing wet clothes during cold weather can make you sick, but if you have kids running in and out of the snow all day, they may be heading out with wet clothes, shoes, gloves and hats. To help dry clothes and shoes fast the Scandinavians use drying cabinets, they don't only help dry your clothes they also make them nice and warm which is lovely when you're heading out into the cold. You can even buy smaller dryers just for shoes.

Make your home feel cosy

Dark months can make you feel down and weary, and with harsh weather outside we end up spending more time at home, so make sure that your home makes you happy. Get some warm blankets, some nice interior details, perhaps create a little nook where you can spend those cold months. Think of it as a form of nesting.

Weatherproofing your home for the cold

Scandinavian homes are made to withstand cold temperature and contain the heat within it, ensuring that you consume less energy and stay warmer for less. A big difference between Scandinavian homes and British ones is that most windows in Scandinavian windows are double glazed, which helps with keeping the heat from escaping, if you don't want to install new windows then you can either buy heavy curtains or put bubble wrap over your windows to help keep out the cold. Make sure that all gaps between window and doors are closed off, so that heat isn't seeping out, you can easily do this by caulking the gaps where cold air is entering. Draft snakes are great for putting by the doors and places you cannot caulk.

Celebrate as much as you can

Something quite lovely that the Scandinavians have adapted during the December months is plenty of reason to celebrate, even if it's just a small one. Every Sunday leading up to Christmas they will light one candle out of four so called advent lights, lighting another one until the last one is lit, then you know it's almost Christmas. On the 13th of December, the darkest day of the year, Swedes celebrate Lucia, which is day that centres around creating light in the darkest of days, this is mainly by a train led by a symbolic Lucia with candles in her hair, followed my maids, star boys and little santas. They sing and bring the glowing yellow sweet saffron bun to those they sing for. All over the UK you can experience the Lucia train if you check the events calendar of your local Swedish community. On Swedish television there is also an advent calendar, a story that is aired every morning and that concludes on the 24th of December, which is the day Scandinavians celebrate Christmas.

Enjoy the snow!

Snow isn't all hassle, it's also plenty of fun! Make the most of it by heading out for some fun snow activity such as sledging, snowshoe walking, cross-country skiing and country walks in the snow, don't forget to bring a hot drink and perhaps a set up so you can grill some sausages when out on your walk.

Light candles

Not only does lighting candles help create a cosy ambiance, it also creates warmth and light without having to turn on lights or heating. Bulk buy your candles to save more, but make sure to never leave a room with lit candles for a longer period of time and make sure you have a fire extinguisher at home.

Salt and gravel your drive and pavement

If you don't want to be slipping all over the place making sure that roads are salted and gravelled is a great way to prevent accidents due to black ice. Even if a thin layer of ice coats the gravel you will still have some friction, while the salt will only melt parts of the ice. The only downside with gravel is that once the snow and ice is gone there is some clean up required.

Leave something for the birds

Food is scarce for birds and wildlife during the cold winter months, so why not leave a little treat out for them and get to enjoy some sweet bird song even during the colder months.

Warm drinks

Warm yourself from the inside out with some warm drinks, enjoy whatever you prefer whether that be tea, coffee, hot chocolate or chai. Why not make a hot chocolate station for an added Christmassy touch to your home and of course some special cups are great for bringing some extra joy.