Struggling to banish the January blues? Do as the Scandis do and don’t just tolerate this time of year – embrace it.
When January rolls in with its post-festive lull, questionable weather, and collective return to work routines, it’s tempting to view the month as something to simply endure. But in Scandinavia – where January days are short, darkness is long, and temperatures routinely dip far below zero – the winter season isn’t just survived, it’s enjoyed. Countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark consistently rank among the happiest in the world, year-round.
The secret: a deeply ingrained approach to protecting your wellbeing and an understanding that winter demands softness and recalibration. Rather than fighting the January blues, Scandinavians adapt – leaning into warmth, togetherness and a little self-kindness.
“Scandis know that when winter comes along, it’s there to stay,” says Kellie Erm, a Swedish PR and marketing consultant who specialises in hospitality and food brands internationally. “So we’ve had to adapt our daily lives around the cold and the darkness – and actually embrace it”.
View this post on Instagram
From dressing like a Scandinavian to enjoying restorative time outdoors, here, Kellie shares her simple, Scandi-approved ways to beat the January blues. Her advice might just change how you see January forever.
Six Scandinavian ways to beat the January blues
1. Romanticise your routine
We all know how hard dark mornings can be. After all, who wants to wake up before the sun even has? But you’ll be surprised how transformative elevating everyday moments into small rituals can be, Kellie surmises.
“I like putting cardamom pods in my coffee maker in the morning,” Kellie reveals. “The house smells amazing while I’m getting ready, and that really sets the mood for my day”. You could also try popping an energising aromatherapy oil on a diffuser, such as Neom’s Wellbeing Pod, which you can switch on when you switch off your alarm. Turning the mundane into something sensory makes winter mornings feel intentional, not punishing.
And, of course, you can romanticise your evenings too. In Scandinavia, “we embrace an excess of candles,” says Kellie. “I always light a couple and put my warmest, fluffiest robe on”. Treat yourself to a Soho Home Dressing Gown and a Rituals’ Home Candle, and it will turn being couped up inside into a cossetting ritual, not a limitation.
2. Eat for comfort, not punishment
If Scandinavian winters should teach us anything, it’s that January is not the month for restrictive resolutions. “This is no time to be changing your diet to eat salad and avoid carbs,” Kellie says – whatever your New Year’s resolution that you’re already struggling with might say.
In fact, food can be central to winter wellbeing, especially when you ensure it is nourishing, grounding and – if possible – shared with loved ones. Think warming soups, indulgent baked goods and candlelit dinners that turn a dark evening into something to look forward to.
“Make a warming stew, have that glass of red wine and invite a friend over,” advises Kellie.
3. Embrace the outdoors – properly
“Scandis are very into ‘friluftsliv’ – a concept that means ‘open-air living’,” reveals Kellie. It’s rooted in the belief that time outdoors is essential, and that’s true regardless of the season and the weather outside.
“Embrace winter, don’t just endure it,” Kellie advises. “Go for a long walk with a friend, go on a hike, clear your thoughts and reframe”. Fresh air and movement can be transformative, even on cold days. Just make sure to choose something you’re likely to enjoy, because your mindset is key. You want your daily breath of (potentially very cold) fresh air to be a reset, not a chore.
4. Stop fighting your energy levels
It sounds obvious, but no one expects January evenings to feel like a summer’s day, so why fight against what the darkness arriving early is telling you – it’s natural to slow down.
“As many might know, the days get dark very early in Scandinavia, so it’s difficult to uphold the same level of energy you would at 7pm on a warm summer’s night, but don’t fight it!” says Kellie. “If you’re tired, have a bath, or just go to bed and watch something. Be kind to yourself”.
Rest is not failure at any time of year. In fact, it’s about being intelligent enough to know what your body and mind need. Allow evenings to be quiet, cosy and restorative rather than productive if you need (and want) them to be. Then, you’ll actually feel refreshed enough to face the next days to come.
5. Dress like a Scandinavian
“In Sweden, there’s a common saying, ‘Inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder’, which means ‘there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing’,” says Kellie. You could also keep in mind the British equivalent, ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.
“Although pretty self-explanatory, if you dress properly, winter isn’t as terrifying. So, get those layers on,” continues Kellie. When you’re warm, the season instantly feels cosy and far more inviting, so make sure you’ve got a winter coat that’s actually warm, thermals and waterproof boots when you need them, and don’t forget your hat, gloves and scarf too! Our fashion features director’s skiing guide can help in very cold conditions as well.
6. Book a winter escape
Perhaps the most luxurious way to embrace the Scandi mindset? Immerse yourself in it completely. The start of the year is a beautiful time to visit Scandinavia, with its breathtaking snow-covered landscapes, fireside saunas overlooking frozen lakes and deeply restorative wellness experiences taking centre stage. From forest bathing and cold-water plunges to world-class spas and design-led hotels, there’s so much to energise and cocoon you in any (or all) of the Scandinavian countries this winter.
Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director. As one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science, she combines her unique knowledge with an editor’s eye to help you make smarter choices about beauty, wellbeing, and aesthetics. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?