Norwegian Secrets to Enjoying a Long Minnesota Winter

While we've been enjoying a relatively warm fall season so far, the weather later this week is forecast to be colder and more like a normal Minnesota November. Which means the first snow can't be too far off. But if you follow these Norwegian secrets, that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

According to THIS article by Laura Vanderklam, another long Minnesota winter doesn't have to filled with dread. In fact, Vanderklam goes into detail on how residents in the northern Norwegian town of Tromsø actually enjoy and look forward to winter. And when it comes to long winters, these folks know what they're talking about: Tromsø is located so far north in Norway that from late November to late January, the sun never makes it above the horizon. That makes for a long winter!

So what to the Norwegians do that helps them enjoy winter? According to the article, there are three things:

1) They celebrate the things you can only do in winter-- like skiing, skating, and going for a hike in the snow-- and they get outside and do them.

2) They celebrate coziness. The article says, "Norwegians also have a word, koselig, that means a sense of coziness. It’s like the best parts of Christmas, without all the stress. People light candles, light fires, drink warm beverages, and sit under fuzzy blankets."

3) The appreciate the beauty of the season. There's no doubt, even though it might mean shoveling, a new snowfall can be pretty scenic.

She goes onto to say that practicing these things does take a bit of a 'mind shift'-- we're so accustomed to grumbling about the cold and snowy weather, that it takes practice to NOT join in what Vanderklam calls the 'Misery Olympics.'

She suggests we instead "Talk about how the cold gives you a chance to drink tea or hot chocolate all day. Talk about ice skating, or building snowmen. Bundle up and go for a walk outside, knowing that you’ll likely feel warmer and happier after a few minutes."

And, as another long Minnesota winter stares us in the face, it all seems to be some pretty good advice. Check it out-- and pass the peppermint mocha!