When it comes to Winter wellness, no one does it better than the Scandinavians - and as a company founded by guys from Denmark, we want to share the wisdom with you!
Whether it’s getting outside in the fresh (but cold) air, or making the most of resting at home, Scandinavians are famous for their balance, health and seasonal approach to wellness.
The cool thing is that many of these practices aren’t only great for your physical and mental health - but your fertility too.
Friluftsliv - Open-Air Living
Friluftsliv - which literally translates as “free air life” - is a phrase coined by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in his 1859 poem On the Heights, and for many Scandinavians, it’s a way of life.
Getting out of the house and spending time in the great outdoors is so ingrained in Norwegian culture that it’s even factored into their work weeks!
In the Winter months, it can be tempting to completely hibernate, but Friluftsliv encourages you to connect with nature, whatever the weather. It’s also not about a particular activity, so whether you enjoy hiking up a mountain or cycling in the woods, you can find a Friluftsliv vibe that suits you.
Many studies have shown the multitude of benefits that spending time in nature has for our
physical and
mental health and there are even some experts that
immersing ourselves in green spaces can help support our sperm health!
Hygge - Enjoying Simple Pleasures
Probably the most famous Scandi wellness trend (aside from buying your bed at IKEA) is Hygge. Hygge is a Danish word that roughly translates as ‘coziness’ but the concept has got slightly confused as its popularity has soared. Many people would associate hygge with warm blankets and hot chocolate (and that can certainly play a part!) but in Denmark, it’s really all about the coziness you feel enjoying simple pleasures with old friends.
When it comes to Hygge, being present and slowing down is the name of the game - and these principles can support your well-being and your fertility. Our fast-paced technology-driven, modern lives are not conducive to healthy sperm (and are part of the reason
sperm count is slowly declining on a global scale) so hunkering down with good friends or a good book - and leaving your phone out of the equation - is definitely a winter wellness activity you should try!
Morgondopp - Morning Dip
A Morgondopp - or a morning dip - is the Swedish tradition of throwing yourselves in some (usually very cold!) water first thing in the morning.
Whilst not all of us have Sweden’s beautiful coastline to dip in, cold water therapy is growing in popularity and seems to have many benefits for men’s health - including reducing blood pressure and improving cognitive function. The jury is still out as to whether cold water therapy can actually improve your sperm health but there are no signs to say it could harm it - so Morgondopp’s are ExSeed-approved!
Even if you don’t fancy cold plunging, doing some form of physical activity first thing in the morning is great for your well-being. Morning sunlight exposure helps to regulate your hormones and improve your sleep quality, which are both good news for fertility!
Päntsdrunk - Drinking in your pants!
When we heard about the more modern Finnish tradition - we had to include it on this list! Now technically ‘Päntsdrunk’ is all about getting drunk at home in your underwear - which probably isn’t a Winter wellness activity we would generally recommend if you are trying to conceive - intense or regular
alcohol consumption can hurt sperm health after all.
But there is a lot to be said about hanging out in your underwear at home - especially if that underwear is loose boxers.
Tight trousers and underwear that constrict our testicles can make things hot around the crotch and increase the risk of heat damage in our sperm cells, so take a leaf out of Finland’s book and get them off as soon as you get home!
Lagom - Balance
Probably the most important Scandinavian wellness trend to lean into is Lagom - a Swedish term that means “not too little, not too much” or “just the right amount” Lagom is all about balance - which is something we all need when on a fertility journey.
It can be so tempting to take our health and wellness to the extreme - especially if you’re struggling to conceive. But forcing yourself to work out every day or cutting everything from your diet aside from spinach and kale is never going to be sustainable. When it comes to supporting your sperm health, making lifestyle changes you can stick to past Winter and throughout the year is going to be way more beneficial for your physical and mental health, so don’t push yourself too hard or beat yourself up if you have the odd beer or takeaway!
