Winter is coming to Denmark. Mornings are getting darker. Temperatures are dropping. You might have had to look out for your winter coat, hat and gloves this week, or shop for them! In Denmark, winter can last considerably longer than a normal season (anywhere from November to May). If you’re from a warmer climate, or even if you’re not, you might be feeling a bit nervous. Particularly if it’s your first Danish winter.
Fear not, though, because there is help and support out there! This week, more than 70 people from a range of countries came together at Bygningen in Vejle for a “How to Thrive in DK Winter” evening. The event was the finale of the “How to Thrive…” series designed and led by a team of local coaches, in association with Vejle Kommune Newcomer Service, to meet the key needs of internationals in a range of areas including job search and social and interpersonal relationships. Creator and lead organizer June Wee-Grant said: “My vision was to support the international community in Vejle and unite the local coaching community. I also wanted to begin to create integration between the international and local Danish community.” Supporting internationals with social interaction was a key aim of the event series. Sara Peterman, part of the organizing team and founder of Beyond Words Coaching & Experiences, said: “Strong social connections are the key to thriving and beating the winter blues”. Fellow organizer Michelle Younghusband, a neurodivergent consultant and founder of C Kids Thrive, shared the World Health Organisation findings that loneliness is the biggest health risk during the winter season.
The evening focused on being intentional in planning how to spend the long winter months, embracing the darkness rather than following our natural urge to retreat from it, and connecting with the self as well as others. Hosts June Wee-Grant, Mariola Kajkowska, Louise Nielsen (of Vejle Kommune Newcomer Service), Sarah Peterman, Peter Schlatt and Michelle Younghusband led participants through a range of dynamic activities. These included an indoor snowball fight (with paper, though the real stuff will be here soon enough!) to share tips on activities to connect with others during the winter months, a guided meditation exercise and a frank “fireside” discussion chaired by June Wee-Grant with valuable advice and survival tips from locals. Finally, participants enjoyed a high-energy Salsation dance workshop led by Mariola Kajkowska emphasising the importance of physical activity to well-being. The evening ended with a social dinner at Palads Passagen downstairs from Bygningen, allowing everyone to make new connections in a relaxed atmosphere, as well as catch up with familiar faces.
The participants ranged from those spending their first winter here to native Dane Jesper Schytte, who has survived 69 of them! James Donaldson, from Canada, said: “Even as a person coming from a location with very harsh winters, I found the event thought-provoking, with people sharing a variety of ideas and experiences. Like a lot of the events hosted by Vejle Kommune Newcomer Service, the evening allowed me to make new connections with people going through similar transitions.”
Nicole Georgiou, from South Africa, said: “The facilitators were so lovely and engaging and I certainly learned a lot. These events can mean so much to people who need connection and it’s comforting to know they are not alone in this journey. Events like these are highlights in my calendar for sure.”
For Andrzej Rutkowski, from Poland, who has lived in Denmark for 13 years, events like this still have much to offer: “I think it’s the connection and seeing that others have challenges too. I would love to see more events like this.”
Here are some of the practical tips shared by fireside discussion panel Louise Nielsen, a veteran of 48 Danish winters, fellow Dane Ingeborg Hjortsballe, Head of well-being centre Den 6 Sans in Vejle, and life coaches June Wee-Grant and Peter Schlatt:
- Embrace the weather! The Danes say there is no such thing as bad weather if you have the right clothing! Getting out in nature has been proven to lift the mood, and it’s free!
- Make plans with friends: it might be the motivation you need to get out of the house when the weather is bad, and social connection is vital for our mental well-being.
- Look for some of the local festive traditions happening in your area such as Christmas light displays and New Year fireworks. Newcomer Services in your area will be able to give details of these if you approach them. For children, Danes love the tradition of elves causing havoc around the house. Christmas trees tend to be put up at the start of December and locals usually take them down soon after the 25th but festive lights often stay up well into January and February.
- Join a club! The Danes love clubs and sports associations. Winter weather only brings more opportunities for activities such as winter bathing, windsurfing, dancing, even underwater rugby! For internationals, it can be a great opportunity to improve your Danish at the same time!
- Even a simple walk or any kind of physical activity is great to lift your mood during the dark months.
- But winter isn’t the time to embark on radical health regimes either. If you want the cake, eat the cake! You’ll be wearing a lot of clothes anyway – if you feel you want to go on a diet, you can start that when shorts and T-shirts come out in springtime!
- Equally, Danes embrace the winter months as a good time to slow down, spend time with yourself and get hygge. It’s ok not to have lots of plans!
- Overall, focus on what you can control. Accept that the weather will be bad but don’t let it bring your mood down.
And from 69-year-old Jesper Schytte: “Don’t forget the candles! Candles are big in Denmark. They’re so cosy and that is hygge, so remember to stock up on candles!”
Useful links:
Vejle Kommune Newcomer Service: Newcomer Service – Vejle Kommune
Clubs and associations in Vejle Kommune: Associations in Vejle – Vejle Municipality
Want to join a club in Denmark? Join a Club (internationalcommunity.dk)
June Wee-Grant, Life & Leadership coach: LIFE & MODERN LEADERSHIP COACHING BY JUNE WEE-GRANT
Saskia T Hart, Nature Therapist & Coach: www.natureforankret.dk
Mariola Kajkowska, Life & Executive Coach for Internationals: www.firstfriendindenmark.dk. Mariola also teaches Salsation classes every Wednesday in Vejle Gymnastics Association.
Sara Peterman, Language & Communication Consultant: (23) Sara Peterman | LinkedIn, sarapeterman.sp@gmail.com
Peter Schlatt, Midlife Transition Coach: Peter Schlatt Coaching – Midlife Matters Most
Michelle Younghusband, Neurodivergent Consultant: www.ckidsthrive.com
