Sure, the kiss of a summer sun can feel nice, but there’s something extra special about that refreshing chill that only comes in winter. And according to a new study from Santa’s Lapland, almost everyone is chasing that invigorating feeling.
In late November, the Finnish destination revealed its survey, which found that 73 percent of respondents said they love the feeling of “breathing in crisp winter air,” and 74 percent said that “time spent outdoors in winter boosts their mental wellbeing.” It also noted that two-thirds (63 percent) said that “winter air smells fresher and cleaner than any other season.” And, as Santa’s Lapland found, there’s actual science to back up that belief.
To understand why this air smells fresher, feels better, and makes you feel calmer too, the destination partnered with Jim Dale, an ex-Royal Navy meteorologist and founder of the British Weather Services. As he explained, there are three main reasons for this seasonal vibe shift. And it begins with the fact that cold air makes human-made smells less intense.
“Warmer air allows the molecules within the space to move more rapidly, expand, and in effect, become more intense, indeed far more noticeable—like the aroma of milk heating on the stove,” Dale said. However, Dale explained, with cold air, human-made scents are more contained, while natural and seminatural ones, like those “festive” scents of pine trees and wood fires, can smell cleaner and fresher in winter.
Dale also explained that snow and frost can act as natural scent filters, as the cold air produced by these weather events naturally reduces our “olfactory receptors,” aka the molecules that enable our sense of smell, so we tend to detect fewer smells in cold air. For example, a farmyard full of manure might well be less discernible given a reasonable snow cover, with the snow acting as a natural purifier,” Dale said. The same could be said of frost as it freezes and essentially slows down and traps the more obnoxious odor molecules.”
Lastly, Dale explained, all that cold air also creates a “cleaner” airstream. “There is a degree of ‘give & take’ but in general, think of those clearer and colder airstreams as being fresher and purer, because they originate from where the air is purest,” he said.
And perhaps to little surprise, the study also found that Santa’s Lapland is the prime place to experience this air. Though really, it’s not just the destination being boastful. The World Health Organization also ranked Finland as the top spot for the cleanest air in the world. Luckily, there’s plenty to do in the great outdoors here, too, so you can breathe in as much of the cold, refreshing air as possible.
“Exploring colder climates like Lapland isn’t just about looking at beautiful snowscapes,” said Gillian Ray, the area manager of Santa’s Lapland. “It’s just as much about making the most of what the scents, sensations, and magic of the Christmas season have to offer. Whether it’s taking in the elements of a winter forest, or experiencing a rush of cold air while you take a reindeer sleigh ride, every element of cold destination winter travel helps you to slow down, connect with nature in the most wonderful form, and be truly present.”