Don't be SAD....Be "Hygge".

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For years I was able to beat the 'winter blues' by heading to the ski slopes. There is nothing more invigorating than to stand at the top of a snow capped mountain, an expansive blue sky overhead, the warm sun caressing your rosy cheeks, sparkling snow crunching under your skies and then to pushing off into the surrounding beauty. Of course, not every ski day was like that, lots were   cold, windy and at times even piss poor with rain or fog! But the experience and the dream of those sun filled days lifted my spirit and kept the blue moods of winter at bay.

Last year when my physician asked if I planned to ski, I replied with a big "YES". She turned to me, stared me straight in the eye and said, "Are you crazy". I think she was trying to tell me, given my octogenarian body, that it would be dangerous and a possible source of serious injury that would be difficult to overcome. It was a tough decision after that, but this year I finally hung up the skies. As I said before, they are in the closet waiting, with boots, poles and goggles to be taken to Goodwill!

So now I find myself in the middle of winter and unable to go skiing. I soon realized, that without my skiing dreams, I might be susceptible to a mild form of the clinical depression called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. I believe it has something to do with our circadian rhythms and biological clocks responding to light and darkness. Most of us have felt the same effects when flying to a distant time zone. The body needs to readjust to winter.

Fortunately, I am enjoying the winter days as an opportunity to spend more time indoors reading, on my computer, listening to music, long walks, having friends in for dinner, going to a movie or even sneaking the odd siesta on a dark snowing day. In the summer months I am outside most of the time and summer presents other interests. Although I miss the sun topped mountains, I am managing to get by. Of course a few weeks in the South Pacific in December did not hurt either!

Since we live in the cold North ('refriger-nation' as The Old Farmer's Almanac called it!) it is wise to organize our free time around things we like to do. In January 2015 the United Nations Sustainable Development Network declared the Danish the happiest people on earth. And they have very long and dark winters! From the list of 156 nations, Canada scored 6th place!

What is the Danish secret? It's called 'hygge" and I can't find an exact translation anywhere. It has been described as "creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.' We might also compare it to the warm feelings and emotions many have with their families and friends around Christmas time. It is people taking time out from the rush and stress of life to be happy together or to curl up with a good book and a crackling fire, as the cold winds moan outside the house. It is making an effort to enjoy each other without T.V. or clicking devices. Actually, 'hygge' is an old Norwegian word meaning 'well-being', and the Danish have woven it into their daily lives. And, because they have, they are described as a very happy people.

I once heard an old Japanese Proverb that goes like this, "One kind word can warm three winter months". Never lose hope, Spring is just around the corner.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did You Know?

Remember that on January 12, 2010 an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck Haiti. The relief fund pledged was about $9 billion and yet 70,000 people still live in tents with no running water and cholera abounds. What is the problem?