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Moving from Prague to Germany, known for its cloudy weather, I didn’t expect such a dark, cold, and unpredictable climate. To uplift my mood during the almost sunless autumn and winter, I found some methods, which I’ll share while enjoying my second winter in this article. I’m sure migrants directly coming from sunny climate might experience a serious shock encountering Germany’s weather, and I hope they find this article beneficial 🙂

1 Personal Goals

Setting personal goals becomes crucial in such a climate. With early dark evenings in winter, combating laziness is essential. Establishing achievable and quantifiable goals, such as reading for 5 minutes daily, and adopting interesting hobbies can help. I usually write my New Year’s resolutions on a postcard, and this year, it includes improving my German, learning chess, and attending a music course. Nowadays, one evening a week, even if it is dark or cold, I leave the house and go to learn the djembe, an African instrument. It is also a good opportunity to practice German.

2 More Exercise

Understanding the hormonal changes in our bodies during seasonal shifts is crucial. This directly affects the way we think and feel. Regular outdoor walks – which is my favorite, even in colder weather, help acclimate the body and combat lethargy. Also, as the Swedes say, there is no cold weather, only bad clothes. Investing in suitable winter clothing is essential.

Walking is a healthy lunchtime activity for people like me who work from home some days of the week. I often share these walks to motivate my followers on Instagram.

Besides outdoor walks, you can socialize and exercise by becoming a member of the gym/swimming pool or by joining sports associations (Verein) in Germany.

Let’s not forget winter sports such as skiing, ice skating, snowboarding and sledding. As a summer person, I still haven’t gotten used to winter sports. If you live in NRW, Winterberg is the most well-known location for winter activities.

3 Cultural Activities

Germany is really rich in this sense. I generally try to attend different events every month. In the last weeks, I watched the dance theater performance of Pina Bausch Dance theater in Wuppertal. Needless to say, I still haven’t gotten over its effect. Of course, art, like sports, makes us feel good.

You can follow the events in your own city on different platforms or social media. I use the Rausgegangen app for Dortmund and its surroundings (there are also other major cities in this app).

4 Christmas Markets

Christmas markets, a tradition in Germany, contribute to the festive atmosphere. Whether in Dortmund, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Essen, Münster, Hagen, or Bochum, each market has its unique charm. The peaceful enjoyment of people coming together still surprises me each time.

5 Thermal Pools

Natural thermal pools with a long tradition in Germany are an excellent way to relax and warm up during winter. Regions or cities with ‘Bad’ in their names usually have thermal water. Some hotels exclusively offer thermal services, providing a convenient option for those not wanting to travel after enjoying the warmth. Additionally, individuals with health issues and a doctor’s prescription can often benefit from these pools through health insurance.

Considering home decoration and lighting can also enhance the enjoyment of time spent indoors. I hope these suggestions prepare you for Germany’s winter.

Stay curious until the next post,

One-Day Wonder

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