147. Flourishing When It’s Freezing Outside: How to Protect Your Mood and Wellbeing This Winter

Winter in Canada can feel long, dark, and relentless…and when you add polar vortex temperatures, heavy snowfall, and limited daylight, it’s no wonder many of us start to feel the winter heaviness.In this episode, Brenda shares compassionate, practical ways to support your mood, energy, and nervous system during deep winter, without toxic positivity or unrealistic expectations.This is not about “loving winter” or pretending it’s easy. It’s about learning how to be kinder to yourself, work with your body, and create small pockets of warmth, light, and connection that make the season more manageable, and even gently nourishing.You’ll hear about simple science-backed strategies, insights from Scandinavian cultures, and realistic ideas you can experiment with right now.In this episode, we explore:-Why winter heaviness, tiredness, and low mood are normal-How daylight (not just sunshine) impacts mood and circadian rhythm-Easy ways to increase light exposure in your home-The power of gentle morning movement-Creating consistency with sleep in darker months-Working with your natural energy rhythms-Why 15 minutes of connection can make a real difference-The concept of "hygge" and creating cozy on purpose-Nourishing your body with warm, comforting foods-Friluftsliv (outdoor living) and embracing small amounts of fresh airIf winter tends to feel heavy for you, this episode offers gentle reminders and doable ideas to help you move through the season with more steadiness, warmth, and self-compassion.Resources mentioned in this episode:Charles Duhigg, Jan. 2, 2026 Newsletter, The Science of Better: “It’s Really Cold. Here’s How to Stay Happy (With Science)” Charles Duhigg’s book: Smarter, Faster, Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity (Please note that I mistakenly referred to this book as The Science of Better, but that’s the name of his newsletter).You can order his book here:Indigo: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/smarter-faster-better-the-transformative-power-of-real-productivity/9780385680936.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=Smarter%20Faster%20BettAmazon: https://a.co/d/0ZCKqPuHere’s how you can connect with Brenda Jasmin:Instagram: @_brendajasminWebsite: www.brendajasmin.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendajasmin/Download Brenda’s Gratitude Guide:https://brendajasmin.kartra.com/page/gratitudeguideGet Brenda’s Guide on “How to Be Happier in Uncertain Times”: https://brendajasmin.kartra.com/page/happierOriginal music composed by Leah Hidalgowww.leahhidalgo.com