Like most of life, winter is what you make of it. Written By: Lorie R. Skarpness | 9:03 am, Jan. 6, 2021 × Here in northern Minnesota, winter often lasts six months. Many people find themselves longing for spring and summer after a month or two of cold and snow. A recent study showed adopting the attitude people in Scandinavian countries have towards winter can make it more enjoyable. Cold weather and short days can be a challenge anytime, but in a year with COVID-19 lockdowns, many people entered winter already feeling restless and depleted. Kari Leibowitz is a Sanford scholar who studied how Norwegians north of the Arctic Circle survive – and even thrive – during the dark months of winter. She found that people with a “positive wintertime mindset” experienced more life satisfaction, positive emotions, psychological flourishing and personal growth during the winter months.