Melanistic Magazine - Vol 16

Surviving Your First Canadian Winter

by kelsie williams

Winter in Canada offers snow angels and great Christmas pictures but hold on, it also demands readiness for this biting cold. After witnessing the settlement of hundreds of newcomers to Canada, here’s how to not only survive but thrive in a Canadian winter.

1. Wardrobe: This isn’t a drill!. Get a REAL winter coat, pair with good winter boots, and learn the art of layering. You’re Gold! [seepages8forsomeextrawardrobetips]

2. Your New Home is Zen: It’s more than a warm corner; it’s your Zen to escape from the cold, make it as comfy as possible, and remember to close your windows!

3. Drive Right: Keep an emergency kit: blankets, clothes, snacks in your car and consider winter tires. Most importantly, slow down!

4. Don’t Miss Winter Fun: Turn the cold into a fete! Ice skating, tobogganing, snow-walks – when in Rome? Immerse to appreciate.

5. Slap Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder hits newcomers hard. Solutions: Light Therapy, Stay Active, Strengthen Community Connection and Seek Help: Talking to professionals is strength, not weakness.

6. Lean into Your New Community: Winter is just one of the many transitions when moving to Canada. Make an effort to connect with your community, whether it’s through networking events, platforms like UpRow, or back home via video calls. This connection is a natural mood lifter.

In the end, remember, there’s no winter without a spring to follow. Stay warm, blessings, and remember— the journey is the prize.