The alarm goes off and I reach for my clock, convinced it was set at the wrong time. It’s too dark in the bedroom, I hear no birds singing; it can’t already be time to wake up and start working. But the little lit screen shows me I am wrong. It is the time to start a new day. My whole body hurts, my brain feels foggy and I already hate the whole world. No, I didn’t party hard last night. It’s just the beginning of a winter day for me. And this goes on from mid-November to March, when the winter will be gone and the days will start to grow longer again.
It’s not even December and I am already complaining about the depressing weather. The winter months can be difficult in the Netherlands.
I never had to fight winter so much. In Romania, winters can be very cold with a lot of snow, but definitely with more light hours. Here, winter brings mostly rain and many dark, grey days. Sometimes we can go as much as a few weeks without seeing the sun. I find comfort in the fact that I am not the only one, and that other people who already struggled with it have found some solutions to survive. I try to learn from them. The Dutch have a trick to survive these months: a holiday somewhere warm. The Danish have their hygge. Because the holiday will last a few weeks at most, and then there are still a few months to deal with, I try to mix both and find ways to cope better with the reality of Dutch winter without needing to escape to warmer places.
So, what is there to do to survive the winter months in the Netherlands and get to the spring still in all your senses?
- First one on my list is something that really helps with the winter blues: vitamin D. Take supplements; that’s a non-negotiable in this part of the world. And then, make a habit of going out every day to catch some light, especially on the few sunny days. Go out for a walk in any kind of weather. Visit your local parks or take a longer trip if you have the time. The wide beaches of the Netherlands are beautiful even on an overcast day, and the nature reserves have a special kind of winter charm.
- Borrow the hygge from the Danish. Create a stock of candles, hot chocolate and glühwein (mulled wine) in your house. Light many candles, to create a warm feeling. Drink hot chocolate and glühwein. Have cheerful dinners with friends and family. Spend quality time with your pet. Do whatever makes you feel cosy and creates a pleasant atmosphere in your house.
- Light therapy (very Dutch, very real). Many people here use a daylight lamp or sunrise alarm clock. It’s a practical winter survival tool and widely recommended. I bought a sunrise alarm clock years ago and I still congratulate myself for the decision every day.
- Don’t miss the winter markets. The Sinterklaas and Christmas markets start popping up in every city around the end of November, and you should visit them. They’re not just about shopping; wandering through the stalls full of crafts, local treats, and seasonal decorations is a cozy way to brighten up a grey winter day. Warm up with mulled wine or hot chocolate, listen to live music, and soak in the festive atmosphere. Even a short visit can make the season feel a little lighter.
- Pamper yourself. Have a massage, try a floating session, or go to a SPA retreat.
- Find nice things to do indoors. Get a museum card and visit a lot of museums. Go to concerts, shows and cinema more often. The Nationale Opera en Ballet in Amsterdam offers great shows in the winter months, Paradiso and Melkweg always host concerts for every taste. Start a creative project (journaling, crafting, painting) or take a workshop or class (Pottery, dance, writing, whatever brings joy).
- Visit a light festival. The Amsterdam Light Festival starts in November and lasts until January, and there are quite a few others to visit around the country. Check out my list of light festivals in the Netherlands.
- Take walks. I know, it’s hard to do when the weather feels completely uninviting. But I’ve noticed that forcing myself out for one-hour walk makes a huge difference in how I feel. Invest in a waterproof wardrobe so you stay comfortable no matter what the sky is doing. It gets dark early this time of year, but evening walks can be truly beautiful. Most Dutch cities look unexpectedly romantic, lit by street lamps and Christmas lights (which stay up from November until March). The glow makes even the greyest days feel a bit softer.
- Go to the beach. No, I’m not joking: since the temperatures are still mild during the winter, you can enjoy a walk on the almost empty beaches and inhale some salty air. It’s good for you. I love visiting the beach in any kind of weather—well, maybe not in heavy rain—but strong winds or even a dusting of snow never stop me from taking my head-clearing walk. There’s something about the vast, quiet beach in winter that feels instantly refreshing. Check out this list of best beaches to visit in North Holland, no matter the season.
- Treat yourself with comfort food. This might bring some extra calories, but who cares? We just need to survive winter! Now it’s time for soups, stamppots, shepherd’s pies, baked apples and all kind of oven prepared dishes.
- When you go out, try some of the places that have a fireplace. Amsterdam has quite a few cafes and restaurants with fireplaces, like Hannekes Boom, Vooges aan ‘t IJ, The Lobby or The Dylan.
- Move your body, even when motivation is low. A short workout, a stretching session, or any kind of exercise can make a noticeable difference in your mood. Even a bit of movement boosts your endorphins, which helps you stay more balanced and positive during the darker months.
- Ice skating. The ice rink at Museumplein is very nice, but you can go to any other ice skating rinks close to your home. Unfortunately I don’t know how to skate, I just go there for the atmosphere and the glühwein 😛 If we are lucky, the canals will freeze and we can skate on natural ice!
- And last, but most importantly, brace yourself. Change your mindset and be prepared: Winter is coming!
Stay tuned for more and follow Amsterdamian on Instagram and Facebook for more stories about life in the Netherlands. Please share this post if you liked it!
Check out my photo book: Amsterdam Through the Seasons!
Love what you’re reading? Support my work with a small donation.
