Danes know better than anyone how dark and bleak the winter months can be. Instead of retreating into a deep hibernation, they have found all kinds of ways to recharge during this period. Here are a few insider tips to try out.
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes
Wind, rain or snow, none of those are excuses to stay indoors. Danes regularly go out into nature. It is not a problem that you can sometimes get wet during a walk. You just have to make sure you're wearing the right clothes.
Warming up in Viking style
It is not the first thought you have when you go winter dipping in the sea, but experienced swimmers know that a cooling dip in the cold water activates the body and thus the internal heater in no time. The trick is to build up this process slowly. Preferably in the autumn when the sea slowly loses its summer heat and you are completely used to it once winter hits.
© Mette Johnsen, Klitmøller in Thy
Danish series marathon
If you are not yet familiar with it and would rather stay indoors for a few days, then you cannot avoid watching a marathon Danish series. Since 2007's The Killing, the genre 'Nordic Noir' has gained popularity and series such as Borgen, The Bridge, Follow the Money and The Sommerdahl Murders are the ideal way to relax on the couch.
On a bargain hunt for Danish Design
Denmark has many designers who have designed beautiful and timeless items. Many Danes collect tableware from Royal Copenhagen, animal figures from Kay Bojesen or flower vases from Kähler and Holmegaard. It makes them happy to have them at home. There are plenty of sales at the beginning of the year. Who knows, you might even succeed in scoring such a design item.
© Kristian Krogh
Start your Christmas in November The run-up to Christmas cannot start early enough for the Danes. As soon as the evenings get longer, it starts to itch and all kinds of Christmas traditions float to the surface. Lights are lit everywhere and you can see a candle burning in every living room. The highlight is Christmas Eve, when the whole family enjoys a traditional Christmas dinner and presents unwrapping until the late hours.
Ultimate Danish Hygge Hygge is ingrained in the Danish DNA and is a necessary survival strategy, especially in the dark winter months. The meaning of this word most closely resembles cosiness and coziness, but it can actually be expressed in many different ways. Hygge can be done together or alone, as long as you are aware of the here and now. Pick herbs in the forest to add to your schnapps, catch up with your friends, buy a hammock to relax or try the tips above. In essence, it is about paying attention to what you are doing at that moment and thereby having an eye for the small everyday miracles around you.
Photo header: © Michael Fiukowski &Sarah Moritz
