The Polar Night in Lapland: A Journey Through Darkness and Self-Discovery

The polar night in Lapland is a period when the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks or even months. This continuous darkness creates a mystical and breathtaking atmosphere but also presents deep psychological challenges for those who experience it.

In this article, I will share my two seasons in Lapland and the physical and mental changes I underwent during the polar night. Particularly during the month when we did not see the sun, the psychological and physical implications were profound.

But, as they say, the night is not eternal. By mid-January, the darkness finally begins to recede. What fascinated me most about this experience was the collective emotional decline and the coping strategies I observed among my colleagues and housemates. Living in perpetual night was a silent journey into the depths of my mind. The darkness revealed the shadows and deficiencies within us all.

Natural Phenomena During the Polar Night

Although the sun disappears during the polar night, absolute darkness is rare. On clearer days, the snow reflects the faint twilight. The sky often takes on pink or violet hues, resembling a sunset that lasts for hours. Another striking phenomenon is the “blue light,” a soft bluish glow that appears on the horizon during the few hours of semi-daylight.

And, of course, the northern lights—one of Lapland’s biggest attractions—become even more visible due to the extended hours of darkness. On clear nights, these mesmerizing auroras paint the sky with vibrant colors, attracting travelers from around the world.

Psychological Impact of the Polar Night

While the polar night may seem fascinating from an aesthetic perspective, its impact on mental health is undeniable. The lack of sunlight disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and reduced serotonin and melatonin production—key neurotransmitters for emotional well-being. As a result, many people develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal light changes.

During my time in Lapland, I witnessed how prolonged darkness affected both residents and seasonal workers. Many exhibited signs of constant fatigue, irritability, and deep melancholy.

People adopted various coping mechanisms—some turned to alcohol, others sought superficial relationships to combat loneliness, while others immersed themselves in excessive work, socializing, or gym sessions. The common denominator was clear: no one could simply sit and embrace the present moment without trying to escape the darkness.

Some took vitamin D supplements to compensate for the lack of sunlight, while others overindulged in food or caffeine. But at the end of the day, when it was time to sleep and be alone with the darkness we had spent all day avoiding, we all faced the demons that seemed to emerge from the shadows.

Walking through my house at night, I sometimes couldn’t tell whether I was passing by a housemate or their psychological “Shadow,” in the Jungian sense. It was as if their darker, suppressed selves had been unleashed, wandering the halls like specters.

Paradoxically, the eternal night illuminated the deepest recesses of our minds—those we often ignore. But in Lapland, faced with the vast darkness that stretched on for weeks, we had no choice but to confront our inner ghosts and sit with the discomfort.

Adapting and Surviving the Darkness

Despite the challenges, Lapland’s inhabitants have learned to adapt to the polar night. Creating cozy environments with candles, blankets, and social gatherings helps counteract the darkness with warmth and companionship. Even in extreme conditions, staying connected with nature is crucial. Activities like walking under the auroras, skiing, and traditional saunas provide both physical and mental refuge from the absence of sunlight.

However, many locals still struggle with the lack of light and isolation. This is why alcohol consumption is heavily regulated in Finland and Sweden. In the small town where I lived for four months, only beer was available for purchase. For stronger drinks, we had to travel to another city, provide identification, and pay a significantly higher price than in other parts of Europe.

For newcomers, adapting can be difficult but not impossible. Maintaining a structured routine, using appropriate artificial lighting, and maintaining a balanced diet are essential strategies. Personally, I found that taking advantage of the few hours of daylight—whether for a short walk or simply observing the sky—helped establish a sense of temporal reference.

Light and Darkness: Lessons from the Polar Night

The polar night in Lapland is a stunning phenomenon that offers a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and nature. While the lack of sunlight poses significant mental health challenges, it also teaches valuable lessons in resilience and adaptation. In the deepest darkness, even the smallest light holds immense meaning. It is in these moments that we learn to appreciate the warmth of a conversation and the strength of the human spirit.

For me, the key was embracing the darkness instead of resisting it. To survive the polar night, I sat with my intensified emotions and discomforting thoughts. I asked myself what they were trying to teach me. Instead of escaping through vices or using people as distractions, I learned to see the beauty in the Shadow that walked beside me.

Yes, the night reached me and shook my spirit to its core, but it did not break me. Over time, I learned to accept it as a teacher, one that illuminated the wounds I needed to heal. Without facing that discomfort, I would not have gained such profound self-awareness.

Sunrise

Now, in mid-February, the polar night has ended, and we can see the sun for at least two hours a day. We sit outside just to admire it, relishing in its light—even though in this part of the Arctic, it is not warm. But that doesn’t matter. We appreciate its beauty and celebrate those fleeting hours of sunlight as if they were an extraordinary phenomenon.

It feels as if the eternal night has shifted everything, establishing a new order. Slowly, life will return to normal. But for now, after a long period of darkness and ghosts roaming the house, we celebrate having conquered our own shadows and returning to the light—even if only for a short while.

If you are interested in other phenomena related with the Arctic, you can check out my article about the Polar Stratospheric Clouds!