By Ken, Teacher in Warsaw
One of the most difficult things about being in Poland is the Winter. Even if you love snow it’s a challenge as the Winters can last up to SIX months. Yes you read that correctly, six months! As you can probably guess, if you’re a foreigner who isn’t accustomed to such long Winters like my British self, it can be really hard to survive. So this blog will focus on how to survive the Polish Winter. So strap yourselves in warm, grab your gloves and your hot cocoa and let’s dive right in!
Start, middle and end
A typical Polish Winter will start in November and last as far as April, meaning you might see snow for 6 months. I remember the first year I came here there was still some snow at the beginning of April, so don’t be surprised if you still have the heating on come Spring! December and January tend to be the coldest months with temperatures as low as -25 to -30 in some places at night. So yes, you’ll need a layer or 4!
Don’t become vitamin (D)epressed
A big problem about Polish Winters is that they are VERY cloudy and grey (or as we would say in Scotland dreich) and if you’re anything like me, you may start to suffer from SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Every Polish person will say to you – buy vitamin D! Vitamin D is the vitamin we get from the sun and makes us feel happy (it’s actually called the happy hormone also!) and due to the lack of this during the Winter months it can have a very negative impact on our moods. So stack up on vitamin D and remember to take it regularly! You can buy it in pharmacies, health shops or my personal favourite Allegro which is essentially Polish Amazon. We still have Amazon here, if you prefer.
Also another big thing if you do feel down in the dumps is to speak to someone. Having suffered from depression it’s very easy to hide yourself away from the world and just concentrate on being in your own bubble. While time away from people and the world is sometimes a good thing, too much time away isn’t. Remember that you are loved and valued and that people will want to help you, so don’t feel alone nor suffer alone. Additionally, if you are alone at Xmas you may have some Polish people offer to talk to you on Xmas Eve or even invite you to their homes so you aren’t on your own during the festive period. How thoughtful!
Come outside!
Look up, look down, look all around. Up in the air, and all around!
If you got that reference you must be in your 30s and British. It’s from a kids program in the 90s. But it rings true!
Even if it’s cold outside, you should go out, even for a little bit. Cabin fever isn’t good and can also have such a negative effect on your overall mood. Fresh air is underrated! And yes, going outside is the last thing you’ll want to do on a “dreich” and bitterly cold snowy day but you’ll thank me later. Just remember to wrap up warm! Alright, parenting over.
Also, if you can motivate yourself, go to the gym. Get those endorphins and happy chemicals released! Yes I know, even on a normal day finding the motivation to drag yourself to the gym can be arduous and even more so when you look outside, it’s snowy and wet and you’re all comfy in your apartment snuggled up and watching the latest show on Netflix but it’s seriously worth it. It will also get you out of the house and to do something actually productive rather than bingeing on Stranger Things. Again, you’ll thank me later! Also just as a disclaimer – if you actually want a healthier body for the Summer you have to start at least 6 months before the Summer, so get going!
Bad habits
Whilst going to the gym is a great habit, it’s very easy to get into bad habits especially if you’re cooped up in your apartment for long periods of time. One pringle becomes one tub (unless you’re my brother who is a psychopath(not really!) and can literally eat ONE pringle and put the tub away for a month!)One scoop of Haagen-Dazs becomes one tub and you get the gist. Try to distract yourself with other things and don’t buy too many snacks. I know myself that the only way I don’t snack is if I don’t have them in my apartment in the first place so I make a conscientious effort to not buy unhealthy snacks when I’m out. Over Winter we tend to eat more since our bodies need more energy to keep warm but it still isn’t an excuse to start eating family size packs of chips/crisps every night. If there’s something I cannot recommend enough, it’s to make soup.
Now before ANYONE says they don’t know how to cook – soup is the easiest thing you’ll ever make. It’s (almost) foolproof! As long as you have access to a supermarket or shop where you can buy things there is no excuse for not making soup. It doesn’t have to be fancy and complicated, you could do what I do and just throw a ton of meat, carbs and veg into water along with some stock cubes and some garlic infused passata. Leave it to simmer for 30 mins to an hour and you’re done. Voila!
Final thoughts
Tackling the Polish Winter, especially in the first year of your stay is extremely difficult. Your mood can really decline and the weather certainly doesn’t help. The good news is that nothing lasts forever and you’ll be treated to a glorious Summer where it is almost always sunny unlike our dreich British Summers! Just remember to look after yourselves, eat well and not overindulge and also reach out to people if you need help or just someone to talk to.
If you’re interested in seeing what Poland has to offer you, why not reach out to us? You can find out more about our Poland program here!
