Contura lifestyle expert reveals how we can get the best out of ‘hibernation’ season to ensure we feel secure, snug, satisfied, and well rested throughout the winter months.
Our home is our sanctuary, a place of safety and security. It’s where we retreat to for rest and relaxation, and this is all the more important than during the long, dark days of winter.
Faced with very long, dark, freezing Swedish winters, Catharina Björkman, Scandi lifestyle expert at woodburning stove brand Contura, is somewhat of an authority on making the most of the home through the colder months and here, shares her guide to the joy of winter nesting.
“The need to hunker down as the days get darker and temperatures drop is inevitable,” says Catharina. “Humans have long associated the feelings of snug, warmth and cosiness with physical safety. In fact, finding pleasure in spending time at home by focusing on our own comfort and wellbeing, is how we can all easily adapt and respond to the more challenging winter conditions.
“And this winter, our hibernation mode will be more heightened than ever. Following long periods of isolation and multiple lockdowns over the last 18 months, the return to office working, commuting, socialising, and the battle against seasonal coughs and colds, are unsurprisingly more draining than ever, making the prospect of nesting at home all the more appealing.
“Ensuring our homes promote feelings of cosiness, wellbeing and physical safety, is therefore crucial to helping us make it through the winter feeling happy and healthy.”
Read on for Catharina’s guide to winter nesting…
The art of feeling cosy
Cosyology – aka the art of feeling cosy – is about finding joy in small, everyday moments and is something we can all embrace whether we have five minutes to spare, or a whole afternoon.
Cosyology is snuggling up under a blanket to catch up on your favourite TV series, making time to tackle that pile of books you’ve been meaning to read, having an afternoon snooze cuddled on the sofa with a loved one or cherished pet, enjoying a relaxing bubble bath, filling the home with the smell of delicious bakes, or simply taking a few minutes to sit quietly and enjoy a warming brew.
Balance is key
The Scandi term ‘lagom’ means ‘just the right amount’ and refers to the need to prioritise balance in all aspects of life, including balancing your needs against the modern expectation to be ‘always on’ and available.
This could be as simple as saying no to going out two nights in a row, switching notifications off on your phone to enjoy a delicious and uninterrupted home cooked meal, reading your favourite book on the sofa, or even just enjoying the luxury of an early night.
Far from needing to hide away at home, lagom is about making choices that benefit your health and wellbeing in the long term.
Update your home for ultimate cosiness
Our home is our sanctuary, and should be a place where we can relax, destress, and recuperate. Here are a few east tweaks to ensure your home promotes feelings of warmth, comfort, and safety all throughout the winter.
Switching blinds for long curtains is a simple way to ensure your home better retains heat and also makes it feel more snug. Opt for colours that promote feelings of warmth – rich creams, dusky pinks, terracottas, deep plums or rustic greens are all good options. Being able to draw the curtains and shut the outside world out helps promote a sense of cosiness and security.
Whilst hardwood floors look great, once the temperature drops, investing in cosy rugs that will be warmer and softer underfoot is a must.
Finally, replicate the feel of natural light, which has layers and texture, and create warm, cosy zones by utilising floor, wall or ceiling lamps, fairy lights and candles, instead of relying on harsh ceiling lights.
And don’t forget about the wool blankets, cushions, and fleecy throws.
A Friday night treat
Fredagsmys is a Swedish term meaning ‘cosy Friday’. The Swedes enjoy a Friday ritual of holing up at home to relax, indulge in comfort food, watch movies, and enjoy quality time with loved ones.
Winter is the perfect time to embrace this Swedish tradition – instead of going for after work drinks with colleagues, fredagsmys is about embracing a softer end to the working week whilst reinforcing the need for a good work-life balance.
Cosy loungewear and slippers, and no-fuss comfort foods like nachos, pizza, popcorn, and chocolate are key for any indulgent end-of-week treat.
Though if you’re keen to fill the home with delicious smells, try creating comforting dishes and bakes for all to enjoy. Baking is a hugely popular pastime during Scandi winters – not only do you get to enjoy homemade cakes and treats, but the oven keeps your kitchen warm and snug.
For more information on Contura, please visit www.contura.eu
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About Contura:
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.
Starting at £1,095, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality, and ease of use.
Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. Currently, 95% of Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.
Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.
Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) in the UK.
For more information, please visit www.contura.eu
