With the challenging environment in Finland, Sisu has become an important part of Finnish culture. Finns know that they cannot control the weather, but they can control how they react to it. My Finnish friends have emphasized how important it is to make plans when the weather is bad. This includes going to see friends, or taking a class for fun. These activities are a reason to get up and moving, or to go see people when the weather is at its worst.
I have also realized that an important adaptation in the fall and winter is "self-care," or doing things that make you happy to maximize your sense of personal wellbeing. This goes beyond just wearing warm clothes when going outside, and many Finns practice self-care without even realizing it. For me, I have realized that self-care involves eating some chocolate, listening to music and curling up with a new book when I do not have evening plans. Some of my Finnish friends suggested getting candles, since candlelight provides a welcome break from the glare of artificial light that is necessary during the long dark days.
What do you do to take care of yourself in the winter?
