15 EASY TIPS FROM SCANDINAVIANS ON HOW TO HAVE A COSY WINTER
Welfare, equality, happiness, work-life balance – the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Denmark and Sweden have long been lauded for their more progressive approach to daily life. And one area in which they arguably excel is in their decidedly different mindset towards the long, dark days of winter.
In Norwegian towns such as Tromsø and Alta, the sun doesn’t rise at all for about six to eight weeks during deep winter – a sensory prospect that Britons lamenting the first leaf-fall of autumn may shudder at. Immense cold, snow and rain combine to make winter life in such places a challenge.
But for many Scandinavians, the secret isn’t in resisting the cold – it’s in leaning into it. Instead of dreading the season, they reframe it as a time for warmth, comfort and slowing down. Candles are lit. Thick socks come out. Soups simmer on the stove. It is a deliberate shift in pace – a retreat into a softer, quieter rhythm.
This mindset, often summed up in words such as hygge (Danish), koselig (Norwegian) or mysig (Swedish), is less about aesthetics and more about intention – finding small joys, nurturing connection and making peace with the dark.
We spoke to three people from Norway, Denmark and Sweden to find out how they do winter – and how we might borrow a little of their magic…
Wrap yourself in a blanket
“Whether wrapping yourself up first thing in the morning or when you get home in the evening, there is something very cosy about time spent under a soft, fluffy blanket on the sofa – and it’s good for your well-being, too,” says Maina Warraich, a Norwegian therapist living in the UK, and Counselling Directory member.
“When you do things that imitate being held or swaddled, your parasympathetic nervous system is more likely to be activated, lowering your heart rate and helping you feel more relaxed,” she explains.
“In recent years, studies have suggested that weighted blankets in particular can help adults relax and sleep better. They add pressure to the body, which evokes the feeling of being held even more. Consequently, this can release the hormone oxytocin, which is known to have a soothing effect on the mind and body.”
Create hygge
“Create the cosiness that makes you feel warm inside,” says Brontë Aurell, a Danish restaurateur, owner of ScandiKitchen and author of The Scandinavian Year: Food and Thoughts from Sweden, Denmark and Norway. “At home, add candles and lots of small lamps everywhere to create that all-important warm, safe atmosphere. Fill your space with stuff that makes you happy. You can practise your new winter hobby or watch re-runs of Nordic noir dramas. Spend time with family and friends playing board games – or simply be kind to yourself by going to bed early with a good book.”
Enjoy fika
“The Swedish concept of fika simply means to have a break, a bite to eat and a cup of coffee with someone else,” says Aurell. “It’s a social thing – you can’t really fika alone – and is a reminder to stop what we are doing and take a break throughout the day. We do this year-round, but no time of the year is more important than when we are cocooning indoors or trying to get through work to rush home early. Make sure you stop a few times a day and eat something nice with a hot drink together with other people. It’s always a good excuse to have a comforting cinnamon bun, too.”
Huddle
“There is always safety and comfort in numbers, so huddle up like penguins, literally and metaphorically,” says Aurell. “Make plans to occupy the dark evenings with your loved ones and don’t be all alone. Make plans to do things – even if it’s just for an hour after work. Try yoga, join a brass band or paint a still life. Anything. We’re all in this together and it helps your own mood when you make time for others.”
Get cosy with your clothing
“As they say in Sweden, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing,” says Niki Brantmark, founder of award-winning interior design blog My Scandinavian Home and author of Njuta: Enjoy, Delight In: The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment. “The right outfit transforms a grim day into a good one.
“Layer well, keep your feet dry, wear layers which include wool, and shield yourself from the wind. Warm, dry feet and a snug jumper can turn a walk in sleet into something genuinely enjoyable.
“And the same goes for children; if they’re wrapped up well, they can play outside for hours.”
Practise ‘friluftsliv’
“A cosy season doesn’t mean spending all days indoors,” says Brantmark. “As tempting as it is to hibernate when it’s dark and cold, Scandinavians swear by friluftsliv – the joy of open-air living. Even a little time outside can work wonders on your mood and energy.
“A daily walk, a jog, a cycle to work, or even something as simple as grilling sausages over an open fire can help shake off that winter lethargy.
“Moving your body in the fresh air gives you a natural boost, lifts the spirits and makes that moment of stepping back inside feel even cosier.”
Try a winter picnic
“Winter walks don’t have to end with cold noses and a quick dash home,” says Brantmark. “Take a page from Swedish life and bring a simple picnic – perhaps a flask of hot chocolate or coffee and something sweet like a cinnamon bun. Pack something warm to sit on, such as a blanket or folding pad.
“If you want to go full Swedish, bring a grill or barbecue for sausages and make it a proper winter outing. It’s a small ritual that turns a walk into a moment of joy.”
Bake
“Scandinavians enjoy taking time to bake with their family and friends,” says Warraich. “Popular favourites include cinnamon swirls, gingerbread men and skolebrød (custard buns). It’s a cosy and fun activity for family members of all ages, and the aroma of the spices used in the baking, such as cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, gives a sense of warmth and comfort.
“A 2017 study conducted at the Bethlem Royal Hospital in Kent showed the clear benefits of baking, with participants reporting that it helped them feel happier, more relaxed and a sense of achievement.
“Of course, the final reward of the baking will be enjoying a hot cup of tea with a delicious homemade treat.”
Light a candle
“After a long day at work and commuting in the cold weather, there is nothing Scandinavians enjoy more than returning to a cosy home that provides warmth and comfort – and burning candles is a great way to make your home feel cosy in winter,” says Warraich.
“Research from the University of California showed that amber lighting reduced participants’ stress levels. Their researchers suggested that this could be due to its similarities with more natural light, such as sunsets and campfires. Consider investing in a few candles that can provide a similar calming and grounding effect.”
Nourish your body
“When you’re feeling low, it’s natural to reach for the crisps,” says Aurell. “We Scandinavians tend to limit crisps and sweets to weekends (we do love rules to keep us on the straight and narrow when it comes to junk food). Instead, fill your body with stuff that tastes good but also does you good – and your mood will improve with the nourishment, nutrition and kindness you show yourself.”
Break the darkness
“Any darkness becomes almost magical when the streetlights are on all the time and all the houses have lights outside as well as in the windows,” says Aurell. “Nordic towns and cities flicker in lots of extra lights all day and all night throughout the dark months. In darkness, all light burns that much brighter and stronger, offering a welcome respite from the darkness and cold.”
Knit
“Growing up in Norway, one of my top cosy activities was knitting together with family and friends,” says Warraich. “Knitting is in general considered a fun and cosy activity to do all year round in Norway, and particularly in the winter months. As the weather gets colder and darker, it can be uplifting to have a simple indoor activity that helps your creative juices flow and cultivates a sense of calmness.
“The British Journal of Occupational Therapy supports this with a study from 2013 which showed that knitting had a positive effect on the participants’ sense of happiness and feeling calm.”
Warm up from the inside
“Winter is so much more enjoyable when you’re warm – not just on the outside, but inside too,” says Brantmark. “And nothing beats a comforting daily ritual like making yourself a hot drink.
“For a truly Scandinavian touch, I love a steaming mug of glögg, a traditional Swedish spiced mulled wine infused with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and orange peel. Swedes love to add almonds and raisins to theirs, and often enjoy it with pepparkakor – a thin, crisp ginger biscuit spiced with cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Some even pair it with a little blue cheese for a delicious sweet-and-salty twist.”
Take a soak
“We Nordic people don’t like being cold, and there is nothing quite like a good long trip to the hot sauna when it’s freezing outside,” says Aurell. “Many Nordic households have saunas at home, but if you’re trying to recreate this elsewhere, a good long soak in a hot bath might just do the trick.
“Create your own hygge by adding candles around you and think yourself away to a Nordic winter cabin, away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.
“Finish with an ice-cold shower to get the blood rushing, just as we would end a good sauna with an icy cold plunge. This hot-and-cold combo improves your circulation and has also been shown to boost mood, increase mental clarity and modulate stress hormones.”
Take things slow
“Winter isn’t just something to endure – it’s a natural pause,” says Brantmark. “Unlike the busy rush of summer, this is a time to slow down, rest and restore. Lean into cosy evenings at home, with naps when you need them and slower rhythms. Think of it as your seasonal reset, so that when spring comes, you are ready to burst back into life.”
2025-10-31T07:19:18Z