– I get really tired, have very little energy, generally less energy than I usually have. I easily become negative and heavier in my mind, says Askerbøring Therese N. Andersen. She works as a freelance journalist for hunting and outdoor magazines and has lived in northern Norway for the past five years. Therese Normann Andersen says that before darkness sets in, she tries to get the most demanding part of the job done. She does photo editing and writing in the evening when it is dark. Photo: Therese Normann Andersen – It hasn’t gotten any better over the years. But I am more prepared this year than five years ago. Therese takes some action well in advance. – I’m early on taking vitamin C and D, a light bulb and setting up my everyday life to gather as much energy as possible, but it’s not enough. The dark time is so bad for the ash borer that she will spend several months in the south. – This year I felt that I had no choice, I had to go south. Last year was pretty damn good. In the past I have had a complete panic when the days got darker and darker, says Therese and continues: – Now that I know I’m going south, I don’t feel that feeling of panic anymore. Therese Normann Andersen says that in previous years she has panicked when the days got darker and darker. Photo: Therese Normann Andersen Not alone Therese is not the only one who travels south to escape the dark ages. So does the Tanaværing Siri Broch Johansen. – I can’t sleep, and the period until Christmas is the worst. I’ve tried daylight lamps, but I don’t feel it helps, says Siri. Photo: Joachim Henriksen / PRESS PHOTO – If I stay at home all the time after dark, I get a little winter depression as a New Year’s present. Siri works as a writer and performer. It gives her the opportunity to seek out the light to the south. – The best medicine for me is to escape for a few weeks at this time of year. I have a profession that allows me to do that. Once I figured out how to do that, I’m able to organize my life so that I avoid the dark time dip. A soring thing? Although Therese is from the south, she does not think that it has anything to do with the case. – No matter how many years I’ve lived up here, I didn’t expect that. I have several local friends who also think the dark hours are heavy. And they have lived here all their lives, says Therese. – The dark ages affect everyone in one way or another. Especially here in the north, says head of Mental Health, Ole-Marius Minde Johnsen. National leader for Mental Health, Ole-Marius Minde Johnsen, says that many people assume that people from northern Norway are used to the time of darkness, but that does not mean that they are not affected. Photo: Emilie Gjengedal Vatnøy / Mental Health According to him, it happens no matter where you come from. – We are genetically structured so that we need a dose of both light and darkness to achieve a good sleep balance. When it gets very dark, it disturbs the chemical balance in the body. Many Norwegians lose their energy and develop depressive symptoms in autumn and winter. This is how it is throughout Norway, says Johnsen. – There is an estimate of around 800,000 people who experience winter depression. But I think the proportion is higher in the north, says Johnsen. Dark time Dates for astronomical dark time Svolvær: From 7 December to 5 January. 29 days. Harstad: From 2 December to 10 January. 39 days. Bardufoss: From 30 November to 12 January. 43 days. Andenes: From 29 November to 13 January. 45 days. Karasjok: From 28 November. January 14. 47 days. Tromsø: From 27 November to 15 January. 49 days. Alta: From 25 November to 17 January. 53 days. Vardø: From 23 November to 19 January. 57 days. Hammerfest: From 22 November to 20 January. 59 days. Berlevåg: From 21 November to 21 January. 61 days. Nordkapp: From 20 November to 22 January. 63 days. Sveagruva: From 27 October to 15 February. 111 days. Barentsburg: From 26 October to 15 February. 112 days. Longyearbyen: From 26 October to 16 February. 113 days. Source: yr.no How to deal with the dark times? – The fact that people travel south to get more light is a good measure. It gives the body the opportunity to replenish itself with vitamin D, says Johnsen. For those who don’t have the opportunity to travel south, Mental Health recommends light therapy, staying active and taking the chance to get outside when it’s light. – Social contact is also important. Call or visit someone, be social to get stimuli. Don’t stay at home, then it’s easy to feel down. Båtsfjord in the dark when it is at its brightest. Photo: Knut-Sverre Horn Ole-Marius Minde Johnsen thinks we should also talk more about it. – Personally, I feel that it is mentally heavy at the start of the dark ages, but it passes. And you can always take comfort in the fact that the light will return. Valuing the light But despite the fact that it is tough for Therese Normann Andersen to stay in the north during the dark times, it has given her something important. – The dark times make me value light and sun to a much greater extent than before. I love the time just before the sun disappears and when it returns. The play of colors there is incredibly beautiful, says Askerbøringen. When it is light, Therese spends much of her time on walks with the bees. Photo: Therese Normann Andersen
ttn-69
