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Three ways to stay warm in Poland for the mind, body, and stomach.
There’s a trending joke on #tiktokpolska “The best way to survive winter in Poland is to leave”.
Dear fellow frozen expatriates, if you left your warm paradise in the sun for Poland you might now be suffering from Fifty Shades of Gray. Not the cringe-worthy movie, But the official colour palette of Poland.
See the pie chart below:
It shouldn't be a surprise that some or most Poles don't like the cold freezing dark long and depressing winters either.
While last winter there was beautiful fluffy snow and -10°C / 14°F temperatures, occasionally it was bright and sunny.
I truly enjoyed building snowmen, having snow fights, and sliding down the hills on our sanki (sleds), which was the chosen mode of transportation to school for most kids. And funnily I enjoyed pretending to be a reindeer dragging my jolly child through ankle-deep snow to kindergarten.
This year I have a change of opinion, I tend to agree with the frostbitten Tik Tokers. I started writing this blog post seated comfortably on a Condor flight headed straight to Jamaica.
The captain announced that the expected weather in Jamaica will be around 28 degrees centigrade
I left behind a brutally cold Warsaw, the weather forecast for the week; rain, rain, and more rain. Yayyy me!
So, how do you get through your first Polish Winter? There are three main points to consider:
1. Mind Over Matter (of fact)
I manage to psych myself up so much that when Poles started to complain about how cold and long the winter is, I didn't add my complaint. It wouldn't change the weather.
Consider this fact: You are moving or living in Poland, Central Europe and, IT IS COLD. The faster you accept your new reality, then it might be easier to move on to the next steps.
Bonus Polish Winter Survival Life Hack Tip 1: While nothing can replace the feeling of the warm sun on your skin as you soak up some Vitamin D. In the winter in absence of the sun we have to supplement by taking warm vitamin D. We get our vitamin D from food sources such as:
Cod Liver Oil
Salmon
Swordfish
Tuna fish
Orange juice fortified with vitamin D
Dairy and plant milks fortified with vitamin D
Sardines
Beef Liver
HealthLine writes research has shown that vitamin D might play an important role in regulating mood and decreasing the risk of depression. A review of 7,534 people found that those experiencing negative emotions who received vitamin D supplements noticed an improvement in symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation may help people with depression who also have a vitamin D deficiency.
2. DRESS ACCORDINGLY
I know it’s a no-brainer, common-sense suggestion but I have my reasons. I have seen people with bare ankles and knees in minus temperatures. The perpetrators are mostly teenagers, who brave the freezing temperatures for the sake of fashionable miniskirts and full glam. Who can probably claim Nordic and Viking roots.
Until you are fully acclimatized, I suggest you play it safe.
Buy quality jackets, coats, gloves, and scarves. If you’re a student or on a budget the next best thing you can do is go to a thrift store. My recent finds included brands like Primark S. Oliver, Coś, and Only. Forget about AliExpress for durable well-made coats…trust me there is zero shame in thrifting. My first winter was not about looking stylish but about staying warm. Functionality is of utmost importance. Once you are fully acclimated then you can have bare ankles, all you want. Must-haves winter gear: Thermal everything; socks, leggings, undershirts, boots, layer, layer, and then layer some more!
Bonus Polish Winter Survival Life Hack Tip 2: Become best friends with your weather app, I use weather.com. She will advise you how to dress or if you should take an umbrella. I also have a thermometer installed on my balcony, it's checked every morning, to set the tone for the day. I see 5°C degrees and I'm tempted to wear a lighter jacket.
3. GETTING WARM AND TOASTY
Drinking a delicious cup of mulled wine is one of my favorite winter treats. This red wine is infused with spices, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon. It makes you warm from the inside.
Poland has some great winter teas: zimowa herbata such as Raspberry, Ginger & Orange, Rosehip & Hibiscus, and Robios.
And equally delicious soups; mushroom, tomato, sour cucumbers and Żurek.
Żurek is a traditional easter soup but it's my absolute favorite soup all year round. Made from fermented cereals such as rye. It's a heavy dish and is filled with meat like sausages or pork and topped with a hard-boiled egg to serve. Traditionally Polish Beet Soup Barszcz is served on 24 December at Wigillia So, there you have it. Stay safe, and stay warm, check out these activities in Mexico.
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