{"id":9900,"date":"2024-01-23T22:22:33","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T15:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9900"},"modified":"2024-01-23T22:22:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T15:22:33","slug":"how-i-learned-to-embrace-winter-in-4-easy-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9900","title":{"rendered":"How I Learned To Embrace Winter in 4 Easy Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">B<\/span>efore I moved to Denver in July 2023, I did not own a single <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/womens-winter-coats-for-extreme-cold\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/womens-winter-coats-for-extreme-cold\/\">winter coat<\/a>. But I can\u2019t be blamed. I&#8217;d never liked cold weather, and I moved to Colorado from Florida, where it rarely drops below 85\u00b0F. But, with an open mind, I embarked on my westward migration in the summer, so as to ease myself into this new, four-season way of life.<\/div>\n<p>I spent my summer hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, tubing down creeks, swimming in alpine lakes, and never shutting up about how much I loved my new home. But my Florida friends wouldn\u2019t let me be. &#8220;Just wait until winter,&#8221; they&#8217;d say. &#8220;<em>Then<\/em> see if you still love it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/lindamcgurk.com\/about-me\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lindamcgurk.com\/about-me\/\">Linda McGurk<\/a>, Swedish-American author and <em>friluftliv<\/em> expert. <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<p>It turns out there was some truth behind my friends\u2019 warnings. I was not prepared for winter in Colorado\u2014I mean, I didn&#8217;t even have a coat. After the first snow of the season fell on Halloween weekend, basic features of my daily routine had to change: My <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/treadmill-running-vs-outdoor-running\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/treadmill-running-vs-outdoor-running\/\">outdoor runs became treadmill runs<\/a>. I stopped reading my book on the balcony and, instead, retreated to my bedroom to read in bed. My after-work hikes with friends turned into indoor happy hours. Suddenly, one of the primary reasons I moved across the country\u2014to spend more time enjoying Colorado\u2019s great outdoors\u2014seemed null and void for an entire season.<\/p>\n<p>So when I discovered the Norwegian concept of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/friluftsliv-meaning\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/friluftsliv-meaning\/\"><em>friluftsliv<\/em><\/a>, I hoped it might help me find a way to embrace winter with enthusiasm\u2014or at least less hatred. <em>Friluftsliv<\/em> is the practice of spending time in and connecting with the outdoors, no matter the weather. An important caveat of <em>friluftsliv<\/em> is that your outdoor activities should be non-motorized and non-competitive, says <a href=\"https:\/\/lindamcgurk.com\/about-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/lindamcgurk.com\/about-me\/\">Linda McGurk<\/a>, the Swedish-American author of <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fshareasale.com%2Fr.cfm%3Fb%3D999%26u%3D2520112%26m%3D97137%26afftrack%3DSTMSFT-1148101%26urllink%3Dbookshop.org%252Fa%252F79880%252F9780593420942&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fhow-to-embrace-winter%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/79880\/9780593420942\" data-type=\"affiliateLink\" data-aff-intermediate=\"https:\/\/shareasale.com\/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=2520112&amp;m=97137&amp;afftrack=STMSFT-1148101&amp;urllink=bookshop.org%2Fa%2F79880%2F9780593420942\"><em>The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Connect with Nature Every Day<\/em><\/a><em>. <\/em>\u201c[<em>Friluftsliv<\/em> is] about being in the present moment in nature,&#8221; McGurk says. &#8220;To feel joy in nature is very central to friluftsliv. You\u2019re outside just for the sake of being outside.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Friluftsliv<\/em> is so integral to the culture of Nordic countries, including Norway, that McGurk can\u2019t point to exactly when she learned it. The concept was never an intentional lesson, but rather a lifestyle. From climbing trees and catching bugs to picnicking and hiking, McGurk says her everyday life in Sweden often unfolds outside because, well, everyone else\u2019s does.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201c[Friluftsliv is] more a lifestyle and a philosophy than a set of activities.\u201d \u2014Linda McGurk, <em>friluftsliv<\/em> expert<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It&#8217;s been my experience that the same isn&#8217;t necessarily the case in America, where indoor concepts like \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bed-rotting\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bed-rotting\/\">bed rotting<\/a>\u201d are apt to capture national attention. So to embrace <em>friluftsliv <\/em>as someone who doesn&#8217;t love winter, I worked with McGurk on auditing some of my daily habits. To ease into a<em> friluftsliv<\/em> way of life, she encourages starting small: \u201cReally try to make it simple,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s more a lifestyle and a philosophy than a set of activities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline text-h5 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-embrace-winter\/\" current-title=\"How I Learned To *Actually* Embrace Winter as a Floridian Who Just Moved to Denver\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/WG_Snow-Day_Editorial_I-Hate-the-Cold-But-Tried-Embracing-\u2018Friluftsliv-This-Winter_feature_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-07-23\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-embrace-winter\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-embrace-winter\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-embrace-winter\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>With McGurk\u2019s words of wisdom in mind, I sought to transform my mindset from that of a Floridian to a <em>friluftsliv<\/em> lover. Here\u2019s what I did to make the switch, and how it went.<\/p>\n<h2>How to embrace winter with <em>friluftsliv<\/em> in 4 steps<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Invest in clothing <em>layers<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s a saying in the Nordic region that &#8220;there\u2019s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.&#8221; I\u2019m pretty sure my cropped hoodie qualified as \u201cbad clothing\u201d in my new winter life. So I finally invested in a few pieces to keep me warm, even in subzero temperatures.<\/p>\n<p>McGurk says dressing in layers is ideal for winter weather because you can easily add or remove clothing to your comfort level. Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/base-layers-skiing-cold-weather\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/base-layers-skiing-cold-weather\/\">base layer is all about warmth and wicking<\/a>. I opted for merino wool because it\u2019s naturally odor resistant, wicks away sweat, and is unbelievably soft. Your mid-layer should insulate (think: a fleece pullover) and your outer layer is what protects you from the elements.<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and don\u2019t forget your extremities. Thick socks, mittens, and a hat are a must. After all, you won\u2019t be able to enjoy time outside if you\u2019re shivering, you\u2019ve lost all feeling in your fingers, and the snow has soaked through your jacket.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Drink coffee outside<\/h3>\n<p>When the weather is warm, I basically live on my balcony. My egg chair is my favorite office space, reading nook, and even napping corner. But as soon as the temperature dipped below 50\u00b0F, I found myself spending less and less time there.<\/p>\n<p>But, in the spirit McGurk\u2019s decree for simplicity, I decided to start sipping my morning cup of coffee on the balcony, despite the chill. With a warm beverage in my hands (and wearing my heated blanket as a cape), I found that I actually didn\u2019t think twice about the cold. I was too busy taking in the sunrise over the city skyline, the fresh blanket of snow that coated the lawn, and a few moments of quiet before my day began.<\/p>\n<p>Not only has this practice been great for my mental health, but getting sunlight first thing in the morning has been shown to help <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sleep-tips-circadian-rhythm\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/sleep-tips-circadian-rhythm\/\">circadian rhythm<\/a> function, making us feel awake and alert during the day and naturally wind down at night.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Give up the treadmill<\/h3>\n<p>Caveat: If you enjoy running on a treadmill, go forth. But, truthfully, I <em>hate<\/em> the treadmill\u2014and I thought about how much I hate the treadmill often after I ditched my outdoor run club for the gym when the Denver weather got brisk. But, why make my run less joyful just because I thought I hated the cold so much?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think in society today, our lives are so comfortable that we have come to think that anything out of that ordinary comfort is bad for us,\u201d McGurk says. \u201cBut it can actually be good to feel a little bit of discomfort sometimes.\u201d So, wondering if maybe my distaste for the treadmill exceeded my distaste for the cold, I traded in my treadmill workouts for chilly evening jogs with my outdoor run club.<\/p>\n<p>I won\u2019t mince words: The first one sucked. I didn\u2019t wear warm enough leggings, I sweat through my cotton hoodie (cotton is a big no-no for cold-weather workouts), and every breath I took felt like I impaling my lungs with an icicle. But I kept showing up, and week after week, it became easier.<\/p>\n<p>Even more rewarding than the fresh air pulsing through my body was the feeling of accomplishment I felt every time I finished a run. Sometimes practicing <em>friluftsliv<\/em> pushes us out of our comfort zone and into a fuller life. \u201cWe need to face those little challenges to feel alive,\u201d McGurk says.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Play outside<\/h3>\n<p>Can you remember the last time you played outside? Before October 2023, I couldn\u2019t. I always went outside with a purpose: to complete my long run, to walk my dog, to hike to the top of a mountain. But the end of our childhood doesn\u2019t have to mean the end of playing.<\/p>\n<p>Now, one of my favorite ways to practice <em>friluftsliv<\/em> is right after a big snow. My sister and I grab our sleds, walk to the neighborhood park, and spend hours flying down the hill. In fact, last time we did this, we played so hard we broke our toboggan. Did I feel a little silly and self-conscious the first time we we traipsed up the hill with a bunch of 6-year-olds? Yes. Did I deep-belly laugh when I got to the bottom? Absolutely.<\/p>\n<p>Once I shed my belief that playing outside was only for kids, I realized that throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and building a snowman is a fun and ageless activity. And if someone makes fun of you, tell them to go<em> friluftsliv<\/em> themselves.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimers__after_content mb-[18px] mt-[16px] pt-[16px]\">\n<div class=\"relative mt-[8px] pt-[10px] pl-[0px]\">\n<p>\n            Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.          <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before I moved to Denver in July 2023, I did not own a single winter coat. But I can\u2019t be blamed. I&#8217;d never liked cold weather, and I moved to Colorado from Florida, where it rarely drops below 85\u00b0F. But, with an open mind, I embarked on my westward migration in the summer, so as &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9901,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9900"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9900\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}