Cold weather is just a question of wearing the right clothes, as any of Helsinki’s elderly citizens will tell you. They have seen decades of climate change and found their own ways to enjoy what is actually the cosiest time of the year.
“Dress in layers and use anti-slip devices”
Auni-Marja Vilavaara, 71, Chair of the Elderly Citizens Council in Helsinki
“The best thing about winter is the snow. It brightens up everything and is wonderfully soft. Even if winters have become milder over the long term, I can’t remember ever seeing a winter in Helsinki with no snow whatsoever.
I like to go cross-country skiing as soon as there is enough snow on the ground. I also like walking in the forest in wintertime. I enjoy the outdoors almost daily together with my spouse and grandchildren. I think it’s wonderful that we have four such distinct seasons.
You can stay warm in wintertime by dressing in layers, one of which should be wool. Another way of coping with the winter is to use anti-slip devices that fit to your boots and help prevent falls when it gets slippery.
When it is dark outside, I also use a head lamp whenever I go out for walks. I love the twinkling stars and moon in the winter sky. You can see the stars really well in Lauttasaari, and in recent years I have even tried to learn the constellations.
My motto is that you should never worry about the same thing twice. In other words, don’t worry about things before they happen.”
“Candles, elves and Christmas markets brighten up the dark”
Satu Sarparanta, 73, Helsinki native
“Winter for me is not about coping but rather the season when I get to enjoy the comfort of being indoors. I also like to sleep more during the dark months.
I am active in ‘Company for the Elderly’ (Seurana) activities, which aim to bring joy to the lives of the elderly by providing them with companionship. I play golf in summertime and bridge with my friends in wintertime. Friends are important to me.
I also attend lots of cultural events in wintertime. This winter, for example, I am going to see ‘Fanny and Alexander’ at the Helsinki City Theatre. Going out to the opera is something I do together with my daughter, who also lives here in Helsinki. We recently went to see ‘Innocence’, which was really impressive. My other daughter and all my grandchildren live in London.
For me, candles, elves and Christmas markets brighten up the dark. I like to walk through the markets and outdoors in general, just looking at all the seasonal lights. A little exercise is always good for you. As my late father used to say, movement is medicine.
It is also lovely to come in out of the cold and step into the warmth. In wintertime, I pay more attention to these kinds of small things that make you feel nice.”
“We have splendid, sunny winter days”
Kirsi Niemistö-Smedberg, 70+, grandmother of six
“I practice being a grandmother all year round. I love it a lot! The youngest of my grandchildren is under 2 and the oldest 11. In addition, we have one dog among all my children, and I often look after them.
I think the fresh, crisp air is the best thing about winter. I was once chatting with a lady from South Africa about the heat there compared to the cold in Finland. We came to the conclusion that people often think that the some places are too hot or too cold, but few have experienced what they really feel like. Cold weather is actually just a question of wearing the right clothes.
We have splendid, sunny winter days here in Helsinki. I often go for walks with my husband in Laajasalo, Herttoniemi and Pakila. There are lots of nice walking routes in Helsinki.
During the dark months, I like the seasonal lights at home and meeting people outside of the home. I meet other women who are active in Zonta, whose motto is ‘building a better world for women and girls’. I am chair of the Helsinki II chapter of Zonta. As an art historian, I also sit on the board of the Anita Snellman Foundation.
When I ride on the bus, I like to smile at fellow passengers. I have noticed that when you smile, people smile back. Optimism is my motto. Things have a way of working out.”
