Learning to Love Winter (Even When the Sun Doesn’t Show Up)

A gray winter day by a snow-dusted river—an invitation to slow down, reset your rhythm, and meet the season with steadiness instead of resistance.

Last week, I was in Germany with my family—tucked into the mountains, moving between snowy trails, quiet villages, and long evenings by the fire. We skied. We hiked. We lingered over meals and conversation once darkness settled in.

And yet… the sun barely made an appearance.

The sky stayed mostly gray. The light was thin and fleeting. By late afternoon, dusk had already arrived. If I’m honest, part of me kept waiting for the clouds to lift—for that familiar brightness that signals energy, motivation, and ease.

But it didn’t.

And something unexpected happened instead.

We slowed down.

Our days took on a different rhythm. Conversations stretched longer. The fire became a natural gathering place. We moved our bodies during the day and rested deeply at night. No one rushed. No one apologized for being tired.

And somewhere in that quiet, I realized:

This is winter, doing exactly what it’s meant to do.

Winter Isn’t the Problem—Our Expectations Are

In my work as a nature-informed therapist, I often remind people that winter is not a personal failure. Yet so many of us experience it that way.

We feel:

• Less motivated

• More introspective

• More tired

• More emotionally tender

And then we judge ourselves for it.

But biologically, winter is a season of conservation. Research consistently shows that reduced daylight affects circadian rhythms, serotonin levels, and energy regulation. Nearly 40% of people notice a shift in mood during winter months, and many experience some degree of seasonal depression.

What we often forget is this:

These responses are not signs of weakness. They are ancient.

Long before artificial light, packed calendars, and productivity culture, humans lived in close relationship with the seasons. Winter meant slowing down. Staying closer to shelter. Conserving energy. Tending to relationships.

Our bodies still remember this—even if modern life encourages us to ignore it.

What Nature Teaches Us About Surviving Winter

When we look to the natural world—especially mammals—we see three primary strategies for getting through winter.

1. Hibernate: Conserve Energy

Some animals sleep more. They move less. They preserve resources.

Humans experience this too:

• Lower energy

• A desire for quiet

• Less social drive

• More inward focus

The mistake we often make is assuming something is wrong with us—when, in reality, the body is doing exactly what it evolved to do.

2. Adapt: Change the Way You Live

Other animals don’t hibernate—they adapt. They grow thicker coats. They shift their habits. They adjust expectations.

For us, this might look like:

• Simplifying schedules

• Putting on layers and stepping into daylight when it’s available

• Letting “good enough” be enough

• Releasing pressure to perform or produce

Winter asks us to adapt, not to push.

3. Migrate: Seek Light and Connection

Some species migrate toward warmth and light. Humans may not travel thousands of miles—but we still seek what nourishes us:

• Natural light

• Movement

• A day trip or change of scenery

• A weekend away

Even small doses—an afternoon walk, sitting by a fire, time outdoors—can significantly lift mood and restore perspective.

Meeting Winter Instead of Fighting It

Winter invites us to gather inward, not power through.

This is where the Scandinavian concepts of hygge and friluftsliv feel especially wise.

Hygge is about creating warmth and safety—soft light, shared meals, cozy spaces, emotional ease. It’s the nervous system exhaling.

Friluftsliv is about staying connected to nature even when it’s cold or gray—walking, breathing fresh air, being outside without an agenda or performance goal.

Together, they offer a gentle message:

You don’t have to fight winter.

You can meet it.

These days, I joke that winter has trained me well. My fireplace, my chai latte, and my cozy Lands’ End sweater have become essentials—not indulgences. They create a sense of nest and safety that I’ve come to cherish so much that last year I was genuinely sad to see winter end. And still, the magic only works because I pair it with daily time outdoors, no matter the weather. That rhythm—out into the elements, back into warmth—has taught me how to live winter instead of resist it.

P.S. If your team, school, or organization could use a healthier way to move through the winter months, the Center for Nature Informed Therapy (CNIT) offers an Embracing Winter workshop that combines practical nervous-system support with simple nature-based strategies. If you’d like to bring it to your group, reach out and we’ll tailor it to your setting.