Healthy Swellness: How I’ve Learned to Hate Winter Less

November 29, 2023

Winter is my least favourite season. OK, fine, I hate it.

Correction: Winter in the city is my least favourite season. But given that winter here in Toronto pretty much stretches from November through to practically April, that’s a long time to be feeling miserable. So I have strategies that help me hate it a little bit less — one might even say embrace this c-c-cold season:

I remind myself that I prefer winter running is better than summer running. As someone who doesn’t love sweating, summer running in Toronto’s summer humidity is a nightmare. When I train through the winter, I am not a sweaty mess (so it’s relatively more comfortable — although the wind can make some runs super frigid) and running gets me out into the fresh air, which lifts my mood even if it’s -30 outside. I’ve registered for a race in March so I already have motivation to run regularly through the season.

I plan to get out into the country, where winter is actually beautiful. The grey city with dirty snow and ice  is not pretty. But when you get out into cottage country and it’s a winter wonderland and you can appreciate the snow and ice. I already have one weekend road trip planned, and usually try to do day trips to hike so that I get some natural beauty breaks. Plus, Billie Jean adores the snow, and her joy on hikes, leaping like a bunny through drifts, is an instant mood boost in itself.

I cook my favourite winter comfort foods. Shepherd’s pie, braised short ribs, tourtiere, spaghetti bolognese, hearty stews, mashed potatoes. So many great heartwarming meals to be had.

I consider how if I love cold plunging, then winter can’t be all that bad. I haven’t completed many successful cold plunges recently — I think I lost the mental strength it calls for over this long break from it — but knowing I willingly have done cold plunges (up to nearly five minutes on a retreat with YETI and Unbounded!) and also did the most wondrous plunges in Oak Lake in the winter at Unbounded Cold Camp in February, well, it’s a reminder that embracing the cold can bring about awesomeness — the high you feel post-plunge, the knowledge you can do hard things. And even though I’ve resisted immersing myself into the cold plunges lately (I couldn’t even attempt getting into the lake in October!), I know it’s all part of the process–cold plunging never becomes easy.

I indulge in cozy things at home. Curling up at home underneath a blanket to binge-watch a series or read a book. Wearing cute, cozy pyjamas like this buffalo check set from Knix. Lighting a great candle for a day hunkered down at home. Sleeping in (always easier for me in the winter since the sun rises so late).

And overall, I try to be mindful of little things that spark joy daily. From the sound of the crunch of snow underfoot to the soft cashmere toque I put on to walk Billie Jean, How satisfying a cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows bobbing it is after coming in from the cold. How Lake Ontario looks like one giant slushie–it’s mesmerizing. The warm, cushion-y Uggs on my feet for quick errands. How cute Billie Jean looks in her winter coat.

Then, soon enough, once again the days will get longer and warmer and before you know it, another winter season is behind us.

Filed under: Healthy Swellness

Tags: cold plunging, winter, winter running