Winter and cold are generally depressing, but they are more depressing to new immigrants to Canada. Snow and extreme cold temperatures depress newcomer immigrants from tropical countries. Thousands of immigrants arrive in Canada each year, but many of them cannot cope with the country’s cold, long winter. During snowy, colder months, they feel down and denounce physical outdoor activities. They experience and undergo what is termed “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter blues, which is a feeling of lethargy about going outside.
Unless forced by one circumstance or another, these newcomer immigrants remain inside their homes. Afraid of falling on the snow, or getting exposed to severe cold, they do not get outside but stay indoors. By not getting some physical activities, these newcomer immigrants can harm their health and well-being. Some sort of physical activity, even a short walk, is vital for one’s health and well-being. Sadly, it is winter that discourages the newcomer immigrants from getting enough physical activities that enable them to maintain their health. As a result of being confined indoors, the newcomer immigrants, especially older members, lose sleep and face mental fatigue.
It takes time for the newcomer immigrants to embrace winter and cold and go about their daily, routine activities normally. They learn how to bundle up for the cold, how to wear proper shoes for the snow, and how to keep abreast of weather patterns. Lastly, they adapt to the snow and cold weather and live with them.
Winter is an avoidable reality in Canada; therefore, Canadians receive it with open arms rather than frown on it. They engage themselves in amusing activities such as skating, sledding, skiing, and hiking. While these physical activities are both energizing and stimulating, they are very hard on newcomer immigrants, but their little children quickly develop the skills required for undertaking those activities. Yes, winter and snow scare off newcomer immigrants for a while, but they learn to tolerate it.