When I was in high school in Brazil, a friend told me her parents had just been to Paris for the first time. It was Spring in France. They were very disappointed because instead of finding glamour, they saw many people sitting at parks, lifting their pants and skirts, rolling up their sleeves, in order to catch as much sunlight in their bodies as possible.

Cut to a few decades later. Now I understand the French, and Norwegians, and Britains, everybody from up North. There’s so much I understand now. The Beatle’s songs: Here Comes The Sun, and Good Day Sunshine have another meaning for me.

Norwegian Winter can be gray and rainy for months in a row. It varies. It’s unpredictable. This year’s (19/20) Winter has been just like that: almost unbearable. I see myself transformed when the sun comes back, like yesterday in the mountains. And I’m not the only one. Most Norwegians take the family out to enjoy nature and the sun.

A famous Norwegian Children’s song is this one:

Sol ute, sol inne

Sol ute, sol inne.
Sol i hjertet,
Sol i sinnet,
Sol, bare sol.

Sun Outside, Sun Inside

Sun outside, sun inside,
Sun in the heart,
Sun in the mind,
Sun, only sun.

Rjukan is a city that had to use technology to get sunlight in the Winter. It’s geography was a problem. The position of the mountains was blocking the way for the sunlight. Specialists came with a bright solution: build giant mirrors and attach them to the top of a mountain so that sun rays would be reflected to the city.

When you live in a place where you can’t take the sunshine for granted, you need to take action not to be dragged into sadness. It’s proven by science.

How? What to do? You need to see what works best for you and your family.

What I do is making my home as cozy and full of joy as possible. I bring colors and music, try new recipes and let myself sleep longer in the Winter. I go to the gym and take vitamin D and Omega 3. More tips here https://makingnorwaymyhome.com/are-you-emotionally-prepared-for-the-norwegian-winter-check-my-survival-guide/

In the Summer, many Norwegians get sunburned because they get too much unprotected sun. That’s why skin cancer rates have gone up in Norway.

Enjoy the sun wisely and put on sunscreen.