The February self-care ritual Scandinavians practice that fights winter darkness better than any supplement - Silicon Canals

"Instead, they practice something called "friluftsliv" - literally "free air life" - and in February, when winter feels endless, this practice becomes almost sacred. It's their secret weapon against the darkness, and after trying it myself during a particularly rough winter, I can tell you it works better than any supplement I've ever taken. The word itself sounds complicated, but friluftsliv is beautifully simple. It means spending time outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. Not despite the cold and darkness, but because of it."

"When I first heard about this, I thought Scandinavians were just masochistic. Who voluntarily goes outside when it's freezing and dark? But then I remembered something from my running routine in the tropical heat of Saigon. The discomfort of running in 35-degree heat with 90% humidity taught me something profound about mindfulness - when you're uncomfortable, you're present. You can't zone out when your body is adapting to challenging conditions."

Scandinavians practice friluftsliv, which means spending time outdoors regardless of weather. During February they deliberately embrace cold, darkness, and winter activities like ice fishing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and snowy walks. Constant exposure to challenging conditions cultivates mindfulness because physical discomfort anchors attention to the present. Bundling up and stepping outside becomes a cultural habit that supports mental resilience and high happiness ratings despite harsh winters. Friluftsliv functions as a social and individual ritual that substitutes for reliance on supplements or artificial light. Personal experience reports indicate outdoor exposure yields greater benefits for mood than vitamin D or SAD lamps.

Read at Silicon Canals