With daylight hours at their longest and the weather at its finest as we head towards midsummer, what better time to invigorate our morning routines and connect with nature.
Catharina Björkman, Scandi lifestyle expert at woodburning stove brand Contura, shares her guide to the practice of gökotta – a personal favourite way to start the day.
Catharina says: “The Scandi principle of gökotta is centred around the idea of rising with the sun and spending the first moments of the day outside taking in nature, particularly birdsong. There are no hard and fast rules on how to do it: it could be a quiet cup of coffee in the garden first thing, a short sunrise walk around the block or opening the window and looking outside as you wake up. The goal is simply to stop and feel the fresh air and listen to the early morning sounds before starting your day.
“In Sweden, where the practice originates, it is customarily done from Ascension Day in May until Midsummer in June, a hugely popular holiday in Sweden – making the most of the long mornings in the summer. Having said this, it can absolutely be done all year round as a way to prioritise a calm mind first thing by starting your day with nature.
“Gökotta isn’t like other modern ideas of rising early, where the focus is often on achieving hundreds of things before most people have even switched off their alarms. It is about simply being, having a moment of stillness and peace before the necessary productivity of the day begins. Spending time in nature is hugely beneficial to our mental and also physical health, and has been linked to lower blood pressure and increased levels of ‘happy’ hormones.[1]
“Connecting to nature first thing is a humbling experience, grounding ourselves in reality and helping us to achieve perspective; it reminds us that every new day is bright and full of opportunities. Practicing gökotta sets the tone for a productive but balanced day with your wellbeing at the centre.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
- Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood.
- The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.
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Tilly Everard | Anna Nyman | Elsa Findlay | Julie Aguilera
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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 £1,495, 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. All 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
