As I sit and await the blizzard that’s coming, I’m thinking about the Polar Night and the Solstice. For us down in the continental US, the Solstice means the shortest day of the year. For folks above the Arctic Circle, though, it’s the halfway point of the Polar Night. And so, on this first night after the Solstice, we are literally half way out of the dark.
How do people survive the Polar Night? Let’s find out
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Researcher Kari Leibowitz was intrigued by how Norwegians, living so far north, had found a way to stay positive. She received a Fulbright scholarship and headed to the University of Tromso.
"When I was putting together this research study, I thought how interesting that they have relatively low rates of seasonal depression, even though Tromso has such a long, dark, extreme winter," said Leibowitz, an American psychologist and researcher.
"I started realizing how much I had brought my own American conception of winter into this research study. I just sort of assumed that the Polar Night would be miserable and would be a time that was really hard for people," Leibowitz said. "But when I talk to people in Norway about it, they really liked The Polar Night."
Norwegian has a word for it: koselig (pronounced KOOSH-lee). It's the Norwegian equivalent of Denmark's hygge, which means cozy. And that’s it. It’s all about the cozy. Whether alone, or with loved ones and friends.
"There's a lot of candles, soft lighting, cozy blankets, drinking tea, gathering around fire and sort of being with your loved ones in this sort of calm, peaceful, cozy way," said Leibowitz. "And so I think people prepare for the Polar Night by really being excited for the Polar Night and by sort of getting into the cozy spirit and sort of the outdoor winter activities."
That reminds me of Christmas Eves in times of Family past. After our traditional Polish dinner, we’d turn the lights down, having only the Christmas lights going, have drinks or snacks, maybe have some Christmas music playing softly, and just sit and talk. To me it was the most magical evening of the year. You could FEEL Something was there with us. And from my knowing many people, it’s like that for them and their families as well. This is how Humanity got through winters.
"People who had a positive winter mindset were also more likely to have high life satisfaction, experience, more positive emotions, be psychologically flourishing, and sort of pursue the kinds of challenges that lead to personal growth," Leibowitz said.
Leibowitz’s book “How To Winter” will be out in 2024. In the meanwhile, turn down the lights, light the fireplace if you have it, gather with friends or family, and Wolcum Yole.
I end with a quote from Doctor Who which sums this whole diary up:
On every world, wherever people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs. As if to say, “Well done. Well done, everyone! We’re halfway out of the dark.”
We're halfway out of the dark this year, friends. Let's all send whatever intentions out into the Universe and hope the world gets better this next time round.
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