I grew up on a ranch in south-central Idaho, where we learned to survive winter as a way of life. Everything became substantially more difficult to do, and I never liked winter because of it. I now live in Montana, and the winters are equally chilly and miserable. The days are short and dark, and the temperatures are consistently below freezing and often below 0. It’s easy to struggle as the days of winter wear on. In the last few years, I’ve learned a few things that have helped me survive winter in the north. No matter where you’re at, if it’s cold, these tips help.
Rhythm of Nature
We live in a hustle culture where we must work year-round and go, go, go. Christmas hits, and we scurry from party to party, buying gifts for coworkers, family, friends, and people we don’t even like. Then the New Year rolls around, and we make resolutions, vow to be better people, lose weight, and change jobs. And no sooner has the last piece of confetti fallen, and we’re facing several more months of grey, cold, snow, and gloom.
Flowing with the Cycles of the Earth
We’ve strayed so far from our natural state of being that we don’t even realize we’re constantly battling against ourselves and our bodies. Paganism is often misunderstood and frowned upon in the United States, where Christianity reigns. I am a recovered Catholic and well aware of the horror of this word associated with witches and idols.
But indigenous people and countless cultures around the world understand we must live with nature, not against Her. They recognize we are all One and that different seasons bring different things, beginnings and endings, birth and death. We’re constantly swept up in our toxic societal expectations. In that case, we can never relax into the flow of nature, tune into our bodies, and appreciate when it’s time to hibernate.
Winter is supposed to be a time of rest and slumber. Bears and other animals hibernate, and trees, bushes, and other plants go dormant. In tribes and communities where survival depended on hunting and foraging, so was saving one’s energy. People would spend the spring, summer, and fall hunting and gathering, preparing for the cold days ahead, and then slow down in winter to conserve energy.
This is what we are designed to do. Yet we live in a time and place where it’s forgotten, pushed aside, and we constantly fight against it. If we embrace living fully in each season a little more, learning to survive winter doesn’t have to feel so impossible.
Embracing the Four Seasons
There are four seasons, and each serves a purpose. Accordingly, our bodies and our minds react. If you start tuning in to yourself throughout the year, you will notice how you feel changes. I’ll hit on the other four seasons before deep diving into surviving winter.
Spring
Spring is a time of renewal, rebirth, growth, and coming out of a long winter’s hibernation. The earth is renewing, seeds are sprouting, and baby animals are being born. It’s also a time for humans to feel renewed and rejuvenated. Suddenly, you’ll find you have more energy and inspiration. You’ll begin to feel more motivated.
Embrace this time of energy and renewal. Get outside in the sunshine, plant a garden, and hike in nature. Breathe in the fresh air, stretch your legs, and embrace this season. You’ve survived winter, and it’s a time of rebirth.
Summer
As spring turns to summer, embrace the longer days, staying up later, foraging the forests. Pick morels and huckleberries, go fishing, spend long days on the river, or whatever calls to you. The days are long and designed for being outside.
Embrace the sunshine. Soak in the last rays as the sun goes down late in the evening. Let the sun hit your skin and get some vitamin D, especially if you live in the northern regions where winters are long, and summers are short. Spend every second you can outside.
Fall
Fall is often a time of reflection, melancholy, and even sadness. We know winter is coming. The days get shorter, leaves begin to fall from the trees, and there is a crispness in the air. You may eat more as your body’s natural inclination to put on weight for winter survival takes over.
You’ll notice you begin to slow down and feel more tired. Rather than fight it, embrace it. Finish your gathering, picking and canning your remaining garden bounties, and hunting for wild game if that’s what you do. Finish preparing for winter and get ready to embrace it.
If you live somewhere you can’t hunt, gather, or garden, do what you can. Plan warm and nourishing meals and stock up on the appropriate groceries. Get outside, enjoy the remaining warm days, and soak up the sun’s last rays.
Winter
Winter is a time of hibernation when our bodies want to slow down, rest, and be cozy. This is the time to curl up with a good book and a warm blanket. Please recognize that you’re tired because it’s winter and your body naturally wants to slow down.
The days are short, and the darkness comes quickly in the evenings. We’re not designed to be out running around at this point in the year; we’re supposed to be saving our energy and resting so that we’re rejuvenated and alive when spring rolls back around.
Survive Winter
A few years ago, I read there are four tenants the Scandinavians abide by to survive winter. Learning and knowing them has changed my life. Whereas I once dreaded winter and its never-ending toil, I now embrace it and flow with it. Here are the four things I’ve learned to survive winter.
Get Outside and Exercise When the Sun is Shining
The days are short and often filled with snowstorms, wind, and miserable conditions. So, bundle up and get outside when the sun is out, even if it is frigid and below zero. There are many great winter outdoor exercise ideas to try. Some require equipment, and others only require adequate clothing.
The sun is guaranteed to lift your mood. Pay attention to days that are gray and gloomy compared to the days it’s sunny. You’ll notice a substantial difference in your energy and outlook on life. Embrace it and enjoy it. And go easy on yourself on the days you feel tired and melancholy.
Wear Good Clothing
Invest in suitable winter clothing that will keep you warm and dry. You must be comfortable to get outside when it’s cold and enjoy it. The difference warm clothing can make is life-changing. Learn how to layer and dress appropriately, and you’ll look forward to going outside, even in sub-zero temperatures.
You don’t have to break the bank to be warm. Thrift stores are a great place to start on a budget. Occasionally you’ll get lucky and find some name-brand gear for cheap. Costco is another great place to buy warm outdoor clothes. I purchase many of my best, most oft-used base layers there and the occasional insulating layer.
Remember to avoid cotton as it does not wick moisture well, holding sweat close to your skin and risking hypothermia. Merino, Thinsulate, down, wool, and silk are suitable materials to look for. Windproof clothing makes a huge difference in the cold and wind.
Hibernate When You Need To
On those snowy, blizzardy, miserable days, stay inside and hibernate. Embrace sitting in front of the fire and reading a book under a blanket. Take a mental health day from work if you need to, and rest and relax. After all, winter is for hibernating. Rather than fighting it because our culture says to, embrace it and flow with it.
Drink Plenty of Hot Liquids
Warm liquids warm you up from the inside out. Drink hot cider, hot chocolate, and tea. Make comfort foods like soups and chili and enjoy them with plenty of bread and other carbs. Use your canned and frozen garden vegetables and venison. Make something nourishing and warm.
Travel to Warmer Climates
While I realize it’s not in the cards for everyone, planning a trip south can help you survive winter. Whether it’s Mexico or New Mexico, find a place with sun and warmer weather in January or February and spend a week there. Expose your skin to the sun and feel its warmth. Spend time outside and get some exercise.
Even this brief reprieve will make coming back to winter for its final months a little more tolerable. And it will give you something to look forward to after Christmas.
Vitamin D and Hot Springs
And if you can’t travel somewhere warmer to survive winter?
Get a sunlamp for vitamin D. Set it up at your desk or a space you spend a lot of time. This has been proven to help with moods and lessen seasonal depression. Talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement, as the deficiency is real in the north, where the sun doesn’t frequently shine in winter.
Find a hot spring to soak in. Hot springs allow you to take your clothes off, feel the crisp outside air, and enjoy the healing vibrations of nature. A quiet day or night spent soaking is good for the soul and the body.
Final Thoughts for Surviving Winter
Surviving winter can be a challenge if you’re ill-prepared. In areas of the world (like Montana), winter seems to last forever. You can choose to fight it or find a way to survive it. If you take a page from the pagans, you’ll realize it’s easier to flow with nature than battle against it.
Sink into it and find the beauty around you. When you get outside, learn to appreciate how the snow sparkles under the noonday sun. If you live even further north, where there isn’t much sun, admire the dusk and the things you can see. Live mindfully and slowly.
Before you know it, you’ll be on the other side. Suddenly the days will be getting longer and the temperatures warmer. So begin embracing the change in seasons, and welcome the spring!
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