🇫🇮 WINTER SURVIVAL VLOG (by Korean Girl from California) | 핀란드 유학생의 겨울 생존기 (1부) [핀생일기 8]

[@BeTeK11]

My trick is that I spend my summer holliday during december and go to thailand for a month :D

[@tissot233]

For me November is not my favorite month but I'm vibing with the Christmas mood so I am not minding the darkness. I adore Christmas in Finland. January for me is much harder right after New Year and Christmas. February is the coldest month but most likely even Helsinki will be snow covered and days are getting longer and longer. Snow also helps with the light situation. I also take strength on November being my "get things done" month. Not being hunkered next to PC, but putting the hours for my actual work, cleaning, badminton every week and gym 3 times a week, taking long walks with the dog and wife etc. Things like that. Honestly, being week or two in Southern Europe, SEA wherever it is sunny can really charge you up especially in January.

[@raksori]

First time hearing the term "winter blues". I don't even think about the darkness, it's just part of the year cycle.

[@tapio_m6861]

Arguably November is easier in the north since we get white snow sooner and/or at larger quantities, so there is much more white color all around you. In the southern Finland the weather is mostly just dark and rainy.

[@internetpolice2079]

Winter is a moody time in finland so embracing it with music and enjoying the dark is a good option (the reverse in summer when its bright out 24/7) a walk in the dark and cold snow can be really peaceful experience

[@heya_world]

I'm starting to feel this. I had a walk on a dark foggy morning with no one around me and I felt a deep sense of calmness

[@Izzy-ve3xz]

My tips as a Finnish American who moved here to do their masters and ended up staying afterwards. Def agree with the last guy’s answer. Try to leave your house or go outside even if you don’t have to in the winter. Also embrace going outside in general even if the weather is shit. Once you have proper clothing you’ll honestly enjoy going on long walks in the winter. It makes it a lot more bearable. Also try to avoid sleeping in on your off days. There’s nothing worse than staying up super late on a weekend maybe you’re partying and then you wake up hungover at 1pm and it gets dark two hours later lol.

[@heya_world]

These are great tips, thank you! Yes, the winter coat and shoes are really doing wonders for me. I don't feel cold at all, which is really nice.

[@hempsu5416]

I'm surprised how many people are saying that you just have to embrace the winter blues, because it is true. You can't really run away from it, so I prefer to slowly get used to it. Curling up on the couch, reading a nice book and listening to music usually helps. Your body also gets used to the fact that it's dark and depressing, so it's no worry. I think a good thing to remember is that you don't have to actively try to make yourself happy if you don't feel like it. Some dark days are hard and you can't really do anything about it, so then you can just be a couch potato for the day. Winter really drains your energy from time to time. Take it slow and get peer support from your friends. 🙈 Good luck with the winter, I'm rooting for you from up north! ❤

[@Meitti]

It stops being as dark when the snow properly sets on the ground. For that you need the ground to properly freeze first. Snow reflects light very well so cities tend to bathe in light in winter nights. Its the late Autumn period which is the absolute darkest.

[@timotammi1308]

Welcome to Finland! The darkness must be a huge difference since youre from California. I hope you find good friends and ways to cope with the darkness. And i would say as a Finn myself that Finns also get the winter blues.

[@valveillen]

wishing you good vibes and energy to battle winter blues!! i'm from lapland (living in southern finland now) and as a kid the darkness didn't really bother me but these days i really have to put effort to get through it! it feels like it'll last forever, but come january when the sun starts to shine more, you'll really appreciate spring! that ice cream looks so yummy!!

[@heya_world]

Thank you for the good vibes and energy! I'm quite curious what life in lapland is like - I made a friend from there recently so hopefully I can visit soon and also do a video on it. Yes, another person said the same thing how they are having harder time with darkness as an adult. I was wondering if it's because adults have to go to work during the sunlight?

[@valveillen]

@heya_world i think it's because kids don't question life the way us adults do haha! and snow definitely helps so the days don't feel as dark. of course thanks to climate change not even lapland is guaranteed to have snow through the whole winter.

[@itsgoodiewoodie]

Hope some people take you to Lapland :)

[@heya_world]

Yes!! One of my classmates told me she is from Lapland and she is willing to host me :) now I need to decide what season to go...

[@saturated3821]

Honestly I vibe with our autumn. I prefer it when snow comes early and stays on the ground, of course, but even if it doesn't I find it a calm, introspective time, perfect for finding new hobbies or really honing in on the ones you have, and I like all things cozy and it's the perfect time to be cozy too! My eyes are very light sensitive, darkness doesn't really bother me, it's the spring time that I tend to have some trouble with because the rapidly increasing sunlight f's with my body's internal clock and that's when I find it super hard to fall asleep, to the point I experience insomnia.

[@heya_world]

Honestly, I had such a hard time during the autumn at first (not used to the late sunrise and early sunset), but now I'm starting to see the beauty in it. As you said, it's so introspective and cozy :-) And that makes sense about the spring time being tough - I'm quite a sensitive sleeper, so I have a feeling I'll have a tough time as well. Kiitos for watching!

[@Jonathan_ninefive]

Thank you for sharing your videos, it's interesting to see things so normal for me (a finn) through the eyes of a foreigner (loved the bit where you threw water on the lid at the sauna haha). I've been lately interested in Korea and Korean culture, so your videos popped up on my feed. 감사합니다! 비디오 재미있었어요! 언제 눈이 내릴 거예요. 더 나아질 것어요. 죄송해요, 나는 한국어를 조금밖에 못해요. 한국어를 아주 어려워요 ㅋㅋ. 화이팅!

[@heya_world]

감사합니다! 핀란드 사람들이 제 영상을 많이 봐주시는게 너무 신기해요. 한국어도 정말 잘 하 시네요 👍 Suomen kieli on vaikeaa, but I want to get better at it :)

[@Dinofer]

Great vid!!

[@miksu2605]

when it's cold outside, keep your body relaxed, don't tense your muscles, energy is wasted and you'll feel even colder,🙂

[@Baiko]

I'm surprised to see it snowed so much in Otaniemi, it didn't snow at all here where I live, on the western side of Espoo by the sea, only some rain.

[@MsKuinka]

I love pistachio ice cream and I've never seen sesame ice cream before. I have to go and try it :o

[@heya_world]

Yay pistachio gang! I went back again this week, but they didn't have sesame :0 They told me their flavors change regularly, so I'm hoping the sesame flavor comes back soon :)

[@Jukettaja]

If all else fails, travel somewhere sunny for a week or two.

[@miiahuttu]

잘했어요! 👏👏 영상 재미있었어요! 괜찮을 거예요! ☺️

[@heya_world]

감사합니다! 한국말 잘하시네요 :)

[@miiahuttu]

@@heya_world 감사합니다! ☺핀란드를 즐겨보세요!

[@lucone2937]

January should be brighter and colder month than November especially when there's white snow everywhere and it might be cold and sunny weather in daytime. An ideal winter temperature is about -5 °C because then the snow is dry and it doesn't melt and freeze back and forth. In autumn and winter low pressure means cloudy and humid weather like in November. Cold weather is just a question of warm clothes that can be gradually increased from September to proper winter months that can last from December to March. If it still snows occasionally in April, it is called "takatalvi" (literally "backward winter", cold spell in spring).

[@heya_world]

Now I'm looking forward to January (although it's probably the coldest temperature I've ever been at)! I might have to add some extra layers. Quite curious what April is like, it seems to be another famous month here 😄

[@Zarniwooper]

When the snow and cold properly comes, dont forget to make a "Lumilyhty" and "Jäälyhty"!

[@heya_world]

WOW! I've never seen that and am soooo interested in making one. Thank you for sharing. Is it common?!

[@Zarniwooper]

@@heya_world yes, people make them especially for independece day, christmas and new year, I live in an apartment building and last year we just bought a bag of tea candles and made like 20 "lumilyhty" on the yard

[@sanelmatuominen7122]

Glög is spicy aromatic fruit drink, enjoyed here especially around christmas. There is non alcoholic juices and then the alcohol variants. Any warm drink habit is good for colder months. It's cozy, relaxing selfcare and you can also boost your health with it depending of the drink. I like to drink the juice version cold too, tho it has a lot of sugar 😂 If you need down time hobby, try knitting and try make yourself scarf or beanie. Also buy wool socks! Keep your extremities warm❤ I found out about the Korean jujube ginger tea this fall and read it is good source for vitamin C, calsium, some antioxidants and can help fight depression, circulate blood and strenghten your bones. Maybe look up recipe for it, or go see if they have a mix of that in some tea shop!

[@heya_world]

Thank you for the information! I'm quite bad at drinking alcohol, so it's good to hear that there are non-alcoholic versions of glög. I've never been a big tea person, but I have a feeling Finland is going to turn me into one, and I'm happy about it. Tea tastes amazing here. Korean jujube ginger tea! I wonder how you found out about it. I love the taste, and it makes me quite nostalgic. Great tip, I'll try to look for one here, and I guess I can make it myself if all else fails :)

[@sanelmatuominen7122]

@ I actually found one ready mix of the jujube ginger tea in teashop I visit now and then (Teekauppa TakeT at Tampere, but don't know if they still have it) , got curious and googled about it 'cause triggered my curiosity and somehow is had the same feeling as glögi!

[@MikoSquiz]

Glög: Boil a couple of cloves, a couple of cardamom seeds, a cinnamon stick, and a chunk of ginger in water for about 3-5 minutes. Strain the spices out. Add condensed blackcurrant juice, heat to a simmer, remove from heat and add red wine. Optionally add vodka or brandy. Sip steaming hot spicy fruity wine drink and go "ahhh".

[@heya_world]

Now this is a recipe I wanna try! "Ahhh" is a great last step.

[@amarialight]

저는 숲으로 가요 🌲 그리고 장식 조명 걸어요. 저는어둠은 좋아요 😊

[@heya_world]

저도 숲으로 가야겠어요 🌲

[@just42tube]

There is definitely some deep truth in becoming comfortable with seasonal changes and not trying to be too controlling. Adjusting to change and even enjoying it is a strength, even a survival strategy. I don't mean you shouldn't take vitamin D or that you shouldn't be prepared for winter. Learning to use layered functional clothing can make all weather enjoyable and enable you to go in nature. Towns are boring. Go out in nature and experience more about the season outdoors. There is the Laajalahti nature reserve a short distance from you. Include it to your daily walks. It's not spectacular. But it can enable you to feel the seasons and learn to enjoy seasonal changes, if you give some of your time to allow yourself to experience it.

[@heya_world]

Didn't know about Laajalahti nature reserve even though it's so close to me. I'm excited to check it out, especially want to see it on a snowy day. I'm starting to feel calm and relaxed about the seasonal changes. Living in California for so long, I think I forgot how to deal with seasons. But now I'm seeing the charm through it all. Kiitos for the suggestions and the kind words!

[@just42tube]

@heya_world In spring migrating birds can give additional entertainment. Also watching people watching birds can be interesting since all kinds of people have it as their hobby. Laajalahti Nature Reserve is one of the best bird wetlands within the metropolitan area. It is a fantastic place to observe birds both during migration and at other times. Visitors can enjoy the area's landscape and wildlife from its bird watching towers and trails without disturbing them. The Laajalahti bird watching tower is located at Otaniemi on the trail which begins at Konemiehentie road.

[@just42tube]

@heya_world Snowy day.... Hmmm. I suspect you'll have plenty of opportunities for it, if you just find time to visit it. Perhaps skiing on the bay. Are you familiar with cross-country skiing?

[@Tonmi82]

Embracing it is probably the best tip. Think of it as a rite of passage. Wearing layers of clothing nullifies the cold and figuring out that it doesn't get to you can feel empowering. Also warm cocoa or similar drinks feel way better when coming in from the cold. I'm certain you'll do just fine.

[@heya_world]

I'm liking these tips, kiitos! You're right, I'm starting to feel pretty empowered :)

[@mikael9325]

November is the best month for me personally. Love seeing the summer smiles fade into reality. Reading Dostoevsky, Dazai, or works like Berserk in the summer illumination is like watching a christmas movie in July; it feels out of place, and it only makes you long for snow and the christmas spirit, something that is impossible to get at that time. And now as it's getting more and more improbable that we have a white christmas in the land of father christmas himself, it feels ever more suitable to grab that dark depressing book that's been waiting to be read, at this perfect moment. Happy November, human.

[@heya_world]

Thanks fellow human! I think the cold winter is a nice time to read introspective and deep writings as you say. I've been reading Stoner by John Williams, and it's been feeling nice. I'd be down for some more Dostoevsky though. Cheers!

[@jannesilvennoinen9636]

So you are taking 100μg of vitamin D per day? Might be an overkill, I'm a 43 years old man and I take 40μg of vitamin D daily throughout the year. You may want to test your vitamin D-levels (bloodtest in hospital) in order to see if they are high enough. 🤔

[@heya_world]

True! I think maybe I can start taking it every other day now that I realize 100μg is quite high dosage. My vitamin D levels were quite low even in California (life as a software engineer 😅) but I haven't taken on here. I'd be interested to.