Podcast Summary: Life Kit – "How to Thrive, Not Just Survive in Winter"

Introduction

In the December 9, 2024 episode of NPR’s Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra delves into the often-overlooked challenges and hidden joys of the winter season. While society tends to romanticize seasons like summer and fall, winter frequently carries a stigma of gloom and discomfort. Marielle sets the stage by sharing her personal frustrations with winter’s inconveniences, such as enduring sweltering heat on subway platforms and battling relentless mosquito bites. This episode aims to shift the narrative around winter, offering listeners strategies to not only cope but truly thrive during the colder months.

Challenging Winter Stereotypes

Marielle introduces Carrie Leibowitz, a psychologist whose research explores human happiness in extreme winter conditions. Carrie, who grew up on the Jersey Shore—a place notorious for disliking winter—initially assumed that prolonged darkness and cold would universally lead to depression. However, her studies in Troms, Norway, and other regions with harsh winters revealed a surprising resilience among residents, contradicting her original hypothesis.

Carrie explains, “This is a place with a really extreme winter that's very long and very dark and very cold. How is it that they're not depressed when I feel like winter in New Jersey is depressing?” (02:25). Her findings indicate that adaptation and mindset play crucial roles in how people experience winter.

The Power of Adaptation and Mindset

Carrie’s research spans various global locations known for their severe winters, including Copenhagen, Reykjavik, the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, and Yamagata, Japan. Her book, How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days, integrates scientific insights with practical advice to help individuals embrace winter’s unique challenges.

One key revelation from Carrie’s work is that people in regions with extreme winters have developed adaptive behaviors that mitigate the negative impacts of the season. “If you live somewhere where the winter is really extreme… you have no choice but to adapt to the winter,” she notes (04:31). This adaptation fosters a healthier relationship with the season, transforming perceived indignities into opportunities for rest and reflection.

Practical Takeaways for Thriving in Winter

Marielle and Carrie discuss several actionable strategies to embrace winter, each supported by research and real-world applications.

1. Acknowledge Winter’s Natural Role

   Recognize winter as a time for rest and restoration, both physically and mentally. Instead of fighting the season’s inherent slow-down, allow yourself to “hibernate” in a human sense. Carrie emphasizes, “If you feel less able to maintain the same schedule 365 days a year,” consider it a natural, healthy adjustment rather than a personal failure (06:59).

   Practical Tips:

   • Set aside one day a week as a rest day, free from emails and logistical tasks.
   • Embrace leisurely activities like family naps, slower meal preparations, and extended walks.

2. Prepare for Winter Transition

   Equip your living space and personal habits to align with winter’s demands. Carrie suggests, “Make a list of five things that you're looking forward to about the season” (07:44), encouraging a proactive approach to the seasonal shift.

   Practical Tips:

   • Organize winter clothing and cozy home accessories such as flannel sheets and fuzzy socks.
   • Stock up on comforting beverages like tea and hot chocolate, and prepare warm meals like soup when temperatures drop.

3. Notice and Celebrate Winter’s Positives

   Changing your focus to the season’s unique delights can transform your winter experience. Carrie highlights the importance of mindset: “When you have the mindset that winter is wonderful, you are more likely to notice and focus on the things that you enjoy about the season” (10:06).

   Practical Tips:

   • Photograph daily winter joys, such as snowy landscapes or the unique winter sky.
   • Reframe negative thoughts; for example, instead of complaining about the cold, appreciate the coziness indoors.

4. Bundle Up and Embrace the Outdoors

   Proper attire and a positive attitude towards outdoor activities can make winter more enjoyable. Carrie recalls a Scandinavian saying, “there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” (13:07), underscoring the importance of preparation.

   Practical Tips:

   • Layer clothing with items like leggings, waterproof outer shells, and insulated boots.
   • Engage in outdoor activities such as awe walks, where you consciously seek out moments of wonder in your environment.
   • Participate in local winter traditions, like gathering around fire pits or enjoying winter picnics.

5. Accept and Utilize the Darkness

   Embracing the extended darkness of winter can foster creativity and intimacy. Carrie introduces the concept of "Big Light Off," which involves minimizing harsh overhead lighting to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

   Practical Tips:

   • Use soft lighting options like candles and string lights to make indoor spaces feel warmer and more intimate.
   • Allocate time for creative pursuits, such as writing, baking, or crafting, which are naturally suited to the winter environment.
   • View the darkness as an opportunity for deeper reflection and personal growth.

Integrating Winter Practices Year-Round

Carrie emphasizes that the skills and mindsets developed to cope with winter can benefit other challenging times in life, such as illness or grief. By regularly practicing seasonal slowdowns, individuals can become more resilient and adaptable in the face of unexpected hardships.

Conclusion

Marielle Segarra wraps up the episode with a comprehensive recap of the five key takeaways:

1. Acknowledge Winter: Embrace winter as a natural period for rest and restoration.
2. Prepare for Winter: Equip yourself and your home to align with the season’s demands.
3. Notice the Good: Focus on and celebrate the unique positives of winter.
4. Bundle Up and Get Outside: Dress appropriately and engage in outdoor activities to enhance your winter experience.
5. Accept the Darkness: Use the longer nights as a time for creativity, intimacy, and personal growth.

By adopting these strategies, listeners are encouraged to transform their winter experience from mere survival to genuine thriving. The episode underscores the importance of mindset, preparation, and intentionality in redefining how we perceive and interact with the winter season.

Notable Quotes

• Carrie Leibowitz (02:25): “This is a place with a really extreme winter that's very long and very dark and very cold. How is it that they're not depressed when I feel like winter in New Jersey is depressing?”

• Carrie Leibowitz (04:31): “If you live somewhere where the winter is really extreme… you have no choice but to adapt to the winter.”

• Carrie Leibowitz (10:06): “When you have the mindset that winter is wonderful, you are more likely to notice and focus on the things that you enjoy about the season.”

• Carrie Leibowitz (13:07): “There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

• Carrie Leibowitz (16:30): “Big Light off is no big overhead lights on in the darkness of winter especially… it’s about working with the darkness.”

Final Thoughts

This Life Kit episode provides a thoughtful exploration of winter, challenging conventional negative perceptions and offering a wealth of practical advice to help listeners find joy and productivity during the colder months. Through Carrie Leibowitz’s insightful research and personable guidance, the episode empowers individuals to embrace winter’s unique challenges and transform them into opportunities for personal growth and well-being.