I lived in the Norwegian town where the sun doesn't rise — here's what I learnt about winter

Simple tweaks, like noticing the sound of rain or the feeling of wind, can completely change a negative mindset about winter - (Pixabay)

When I moved to the Arctic city of Tromsø, more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, it was in spite of a life-long bias against winter. During the Polar Night, which lasts from late November to late January, the sun doesn’t rise at all. I assumed that the long, dark winters in Tromsø would have a negative impact on mental health — but in fact, my stint in the Arctic taught me three general strategies for embracing the season. The first is to Appreciate Winter: look at winter for what it is, rather than focusing on what it isn’t. The second is to Make It Special: lean into the activities and feelings that are unique to this time of year. Revel in cosiness, enjoy delights made possible by winter’s darkness, and create and savour rituals that imbue the season with meaning. The third is to Get Outside: layer up and enjoy the outdoors in all weather.

The clock change has consequences, so allow yourself time to adjust