November is probably the worst time to visit the Norwegian West Coast. It gets dark early, there isn’t any snow yet, and when the sun finally rises, it will be hidden behind clouds. Here are the things I do to stay productive and motivated.
Planning ahead
Autumn isn’t very inspiring and motivating, but it is good to realise that it is only temporary. Before you know it, there will be holidays and winter sports to enjoy. This realisation inspires me. I think about the fun times ahead, such as winter sports and hiking. I make my workout plan around preparing for these activities, which is a major motivation for me to go to the gym.
Other smaller plans, such as a dinner with friends, can also be a good source of inspiration. What could I cook up with the vegetables that are in season right now? Are there any things I can make for the holidays?
Planning takes my mind off the darkness and makes me enthusiastic about the great things ahead.
Vitamin D
Studies show that over half of the northern hemisphere’s population has insufficient vitamin D (Kull’ et al., 2009; Bodnar et al., 2007). Last year, I didn’t supplement with vitamin D, and the winter blues hit me pretty hard. With this knowledge in mind, I’m giving it a try.
We are only halfway into autumn’s darkness, but I feel more energised than last year.
Workout and Sauna
Wanting to be ready for fun outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and climbing motivates me to go to the gym. Most gyms here in Norway have saunas, and I use one three times a week. Saunaing has multiple health benefits (if done right). I always sleep well after a sauna session, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Besides gyms and swimming pools, multiple sauna options are always close to the fjords.
Chase the sun
In general, the weather might not be that appealing, but there will be some sunny days. So keep an eye out on your weather app and seize the opportunity to catch some sunlight. Even a short lunch walk can greatly lift the mood.
And if that isn’t sufficient, consider travelling to a sunny place for a week. I think the spring and summer are the best times to be in Norway, so I would always spend most of my time here and plan a getaway in the autumn.
Leave a Reply