This is a concept I’ve committed to in order to see through the first month of the year.

I could attempt Dry January but let’s be honest, I’m in Scotland, so for a start that would mean missing out on New Year celebrations which definitely go on a lot longer here than other parts of the world.

I would also miss out on Burns Night, the celebratory birthday of our national Poet.

And oh my god the darkness. What on earth are we supposed to do with ourselves through the long nights of despair when it’s absolutely ferocious outside?

So, I decided to do something different and more enjoyable through January that’s wholesome, self-caring and even something that I actually look forward to.

Behold Scandi Jan, or Scanduary.

It’s technically Nordic rather than just Scandinavian, but the title seems to work. It’s about embracing all things Nordic to try and brighten up winter.

Given my family’s leanings towards that part of the world it seemed like a good way to try and see January in a more positive light. It gradually evolved from the odd dinner party theme or glass of akvavit to a concerted effort to really embrace the concept to get us through the season of the dark, and it doesn’t involve the self-flagellation of going completely dry.

Here are some of the things we do.

Nice drinks

We’re not going overboard, but it’s definitely pleasant to have some interesting spirits and other drinks to try out. There’s usually akvavit, nice gins and even our own homemade schnapps or liqueurs from foraged fruits.

It should all be in moderation though – these drinks are to be sipped and appreciated, not used as a crutch to survive winter. Scandi-Jan should be enjoyed, not endured.

Nordic food

Be it Danish smørrebrød, Finnish voileipäkakku or any host of smörgåsbord items, we usually all help contribute at least something, then sit together and enjoy.

The ferries in the Hebrides are often disrupted during the rough winter weather (unlike the photo above).

As a result, sometimes the local shop can run low on certain produce, such as fresh vegetables. The Nordic style of eating however, which involves things like cured herring, pickled beetroot or seafood we’ve been coveting in the freezer is completely reliable regardless of whether or not we can buy food.

Smörgåsbord eating can also be a really good way to use up festive period leftovers by the way.

Tea

Use the nice tea. Try loose leaf. Give Darjeeling a whirl. My favourite is always going to be Lapsang Souchong but at this time of year we also gather pine needles, soak them, cut them up with a pair of scissors and pour over water just off the boil to create a mild, Vitamin-C rich winter tea. Give it a go! Here’s the recipe.

The good coffee

The Nordics tend to drink a lot more coffee than the Brits, the North Americans and the rest of the Europeans, so why not treat ourselves, at least once a day (if not more) to Fika and a cup of the good strong stuff to help get us through the more sluggish winter days?

Whether at home or at work, make a concerted effort to have a proper coffee break, not just a hurried mug by the side of your laptop or a paper cup clutched as you hurry down a slippy pavement. Use a cafetière/french press, or at least take a moment to sit if you’re more of an espresso fan (like myself). Why not take time to enjoy something sweet on the side while you’re at it?

Here’s a coffee I took in a flask to enjoy outside on a walk. It’s very soothing at this time of year if you get a break in the weather. This beautiful mug is from Finnish designer Nina Tans by the way, based on the Isle of Mull making Hebridean art with Nordic influences.

Use the good ceramics

If you’re the sort of person with “nice” sets of things like crockery, this is a great time to use them – just for your own pleasure. Marimekko homeware comes to mind. The little things all add up. Some people might only use these things for one day, such as Christmas, but why not use them all January?

Knitwear

This is something we can do really well in Scotland.

It’s cold. Our house is cold. Our feet are cold. Nice warm socks, especially cosy knitted ones are a standard for Scandi Jan. Mum’s Norwegian friend also made her traditional felt slippers which are very appropriate for the weather, as well as being very comfortable.

We also need to stop calling these “Christmas Jumpers” and only wearing them for one day a year (how wasteful). Call them winter jumpers as they should be and enjoy the warmth and cheerful patterns until it gets warm again, saving on your electricity bills, cutting your carbon footprint and just generally feeling more cosy throughout. It’s what Greta would want.

Television shows

Okay we might rewatch the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for comfort but Scandi Jan is also a perfect time for things like Borgen, the Bridge or whatever the latest Nordic Noir is for streaming.

Cold water therapy

Right, this is a pain point, but it really, really works. The sea temperature varies little around the Hebrides (which for Scandi Jan you can rename the Suðreyjar or ‘Southern Isles’ as they were known by our Viking forebears). It’s usually around 9-10⁰C (48-50⁰F) which is actually often warmer than the air.

If you spend 5-10 minutes in the sea, you will feel amazing for the rest of the day – at peace, cosy and glowing from numerous health benefits.

You will likely enjoy an extremely deep sleep that night; it helps with arthritis and anxiety; it also clears out a hangover pretty effectively.

The key part is drying off and getting wrapped up warm immediately after you’ve come out of the water.

Cold in general

You might be reading this on the L-train or Central Line or somewhere warm thinking “I don’t have access to a clean, cold sea”.

If you don’t have this luxury on your doorstep, there are other ways you can embrace this natural benefit of winter. London lidos are an option but there are other ways too. Get comfortable with getting cold for a few minutes a day. Maybe it’s a brisk walk in shorts and t-shirt around your block, or sitting outdoors with your cup of tea. Just allowing yourself to get cold for a short while can invigorate your body at a time of year when we’re otherwise tempted to curl up and disappear inside.

If you’re somewhere warm, appreciate the lovely weather you have access to. You can always try ice baths as well.

Heat

Naturally, it helps if you can flee back to a warm home after sea swimming or other forms of cold exposure in January. Light the fire, heat the water, get yourself a hot bath and a big pot of tea.

Candles

The MVP of Danish hygge, I use candles a lot anyway, but the January of darkness is the best time to really go the whole hog. Don’t be a pleasure-denying Calvinist. Use the fancy ones.

Finally, of course, martinis

Oh what a coincidence that all of these things are absolutely lovely when combined with a well-made martini.

Imagine the scene: it’s the end of the week and you’ve got everything in place. It’s nice, warm and relaxing after your earlier dip in the sea. The lighting is soft, you’re glowing from your tea and you’ve got a nice Nordic dinner followed by Borgen later in the evening.

The commercialised mayhem of Christmas is over. The overindulgence and disappointments of the festive period have faded into the distance. You’ve made it to the quiet time of the year.

Pause, reflect and appreciate it all while you sit back and enjoy your ice cold, powerful and well-earned drink while it’s blowing an absolute hoolie outside.

Kippis! Skål! Skál! Slàinte! And enjoy the month ahead!