norwegian-travel

Good morning from a crisp and radiant day somewhere between the Norwegian valleys and the bustling city of Oslo. As my train speeds through the iced landscape, where early morning light rarefies the air into glimpses of heightened clarity, there are thoughts worth sharing with all of you today. With the temperature kissing -2˚C outside, this toasty train has become my sanctuary, the icy backdrop outside my window serving as a gentle reminder that even in the coldest scenarios, warmth can be found.

A fiery sunrise sets my mind pouring over a topic that I feel has been enveloped in shadows for too long: mental health. Mental health is not just for the ones stuck in a rut, or dealing with clinical ailments. It is universal, it is ours, it pertains to all of us, and to neglect it is to disregard an integral part of our existence.

Balancing university life, work, and personal relationships, it's no surprise our stress levels can skyrocket. We often find ourselves keeping so busy that we forget to check in on our own mental wellbeing. We chase deadlines and dreams, forgetting that neglecting our mental health is much akin to running a marathon on an empty stomach.

This morning, I strap on my metaphorical snow boots and encourage all of us to bravely tread across that icy expanse of uncertainty and stigma associated with mental wellness. Taking time out, even for a moment, can work wonders for our psyche. A minute for mindful meditations, scheduling regular 'me time' or even a simple habit of positive affirmations can light our path in the wintriest of times.

Mental health is not a destination, it's a journey, trudging through the thickest of snow and basking in the soft glow of dawn. Its care is not a box we can tick off at the end of a day or week. Rather it’s an ongoing process, much like the frosty Norwegian weather enduring, resilient, and ever-changing.

Celebrate the small victories. Managed to get out of bed this morning? Celebrate it. Completed a task you've been dreading? Celebrate it. Talked through your feelings instead of bottling them up? Celebrate it. You are stronger than your struggles, and you are more than your darkest days.

Each of us is the conductor of our own mental health's train journey. We decide the stops, we determine the speed, and we control the direction. Despite the chilling winds of life's adversities, or the snowstorms of mental unease we may find ourselves in, know this: You are never alone.

And as the sun's soft glow brightens while being reflected by the snow, it wraps around my thoughts like a comfortable blanket, reminding me that dark nights and cold days are mere seasons in the grand scale of our lives. And even in the harshest Norwegian winters, remember there is always a radiant sunrise waiting for you, a warm train ride home, and a cup of hot cocoa to soothe your soul and warm your heart.

So let's bravely step into this day, both hands wrapping around our steaming cups of shared humanity and warmth. For just as the wintery landscape outside is a part of our daily life, so is our mental wellbeing. It's okay not to be okay. Remember, we're all in this together, journeying through the snow, searching for our own sunrise.

Tags: mental health wellbeing Norwegian travel