WINTER IS COMING!!!

2 years ago, I didn’t take this phrase seriously (until I came to Sweden in August 2021). The region that I come from in India observes a minimum temperature of 7-8 °C in peak winters. However, it gets very foggy during the peak winters which makes it difficult to visibility and drive. Last year, after coming to Sweden, I experienced negative temperatures for the first time in my Life (and the SNOWFALL as well). Read more about my First Snow Fall experience here.

I was very confident before the winter last year that I can tackle it well. Although I realized a bit late that I was over-confident. I overslept every day, was least motivated and had low energy all the time. After almost the end of December, I somehow regained my motivation and made a plan on how to deal with the winter. There are a couple of things that are very important that I realized a little. But, I am all prepared for the upcoming one.

1. Vitamins:
During the winter the sunlight in Linkoping is present only for a couple of hours. Even during those hours, you won’t feel any heat as the temperature will be negative. Naturally, we lack Vitamin – D in this case. Thus we get tired so soon and are always lazy. I have already started taking Vitamin – D and multivitamin tablets every day. These tablets are readily available. You can find them at Apotek (medicine stores) or supermarkets as well.

2. Let’s Schedule:
During the winter, we procrastinate very much. And, in the end, we panic. Daily scheduling helps in tracking your work. I love sticky notes. I use both digital and physical for different purposes. My room becomes very colorful during winter because of sticky notes. 🙂

3. Talk to friends/family:
When I arrived in Linkoping last year, I wasn’t comfortable initially as I didn’t feel the city is very empty (understandable as I come from INDIA, and it’s most crowded everywhere). Somehow I adjusted during the Autumn, but winter’s fuuuuuhhhh. It’s so empty in winter as people prefer to stay inside during cold and dark times. This is where I love staying in a corridor. It is a life savior indeed. With people around during these days is so helpful. I also talk to my friends and family regularly. It helps me in being active and motivated.

4. Keep your room alive:
Watching outside my window, and finding no movement at all was very depressing especially during the end of December(Christmas) as most students travel to their hometown/country. In this time when you realize you are the only one alive, keeping plants in your room is a really good idea. I will also purchase scented candles and other beautiful lights to decorate your room with. This is highly recommended.

5. Stay active:
In the dark days, when you hardly have any sunlight and snow all around, outdoor activities/games are not possible. To stay active, I play Table Tennis constantly. I also like to do exercise/meditation/yoga in my room. Going to the gym is also a great idea. I would prefer going gym because it will make me move out of my room and building, which for me is very hard during winter.

6. Proper Clothing:
There is a very famous saying “It’s never a bad winter, it’s bad clothing”. So, I will carry a nice jacket, scarf, hand gloves, and a beanie always with me. The weather is very unpredictable. My hands are a bit allergic to cold, so I layer my gloves, with woolen inside and leather outside. Also, I took a nice pair of shoes to walk on the snowy roads. The roads become very slippery to walk and bike.

7. Drink warm:
As we all love to have fika in Sweden, I drink coffee twice a day during the winter. I drink only warm water. For a change of taste, I keep different types of tea in my room and experiment with them all winter. When I find good ones, I use them in Spring. 🙂

Even though it sounds difficult, I enjoy winters as well. The landscape changes completely. The view is mesmerizing. I am really looking forward to this winter. As I have these hacks with me, I expect to have an amazing and beautiful winter.

Let me know in the comment box below if you have more hacks.

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// Abhijeet

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