Finding light in the months of darkness

THE Nordic countries are no strangers to the long, dark winter.

- BY STEFANIE DAZIO

Despite little to no daylight people who live in northern Europe and above the Arctic Circle have learned how to cope mentally and physically with the annual onset of the winter blues.

The months of frigid temperatures can begin as early as October and last into April for some.

The winter solstice will occur on December 21, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. While sunlight increases daily after that, winter won't be over for a while yet.

We spoke to experts in Norway, Sweden and Finland about the winter blues.

Here's how they suggest looking for light, literally and figuratively, during the darkest months of the year:

Dr Timo Partonen, a research professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said the dark winter affects our circadian rhythm.

With limited daylight, our internal body clocks cannot reset or synchronise properly and it throws off our sleep.

He said we may sleep longer in the winter but we don't wake up refreshed and can remain tired the rest of the day.

Dr Partonen recommended trying a dawn simulator, sometimes known as a sunrise alarm clock, to gradually light up your bedroom and ease you awake.