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So, what exactly is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A VPN is a type of software that protects your personal data from companies, hackers, government entities and more.
Safely browse the internet whether it’s from the comfort from your home, travelling abroad, or at your favourite cafรฉ. Image: Freepik
VPNs create a private and encrypted network that lets you access the internet safely while also protecting your information by constantly routing your data through the network rather than directly to your device.
Why should you get a VPN in the Netherlands?
Apart from being generally affordable and easy to use, VPNs come with several benefits thatโll make your internet experience much safer. ๐
VPNs protect your data from nosy companies and websites on public WiFi
The last thing you want is your bank details or family vacation photos circulating the web, whether itโs by accessing the internet while working at a cafรฉ or accepting cookies from the shopping website youโre browsing.
A VPN provides an encrypted internet connection to your device, so none of your information can be tracked or accessed.
You won’t have to worry about potential hacks and cyber threats with a VPN. Image: Freepik
Everything from your emails and home address to your finances and burner TikTok account will be kept hidden from hackers and other prying eyes.
You can securely stream your favourite TV shows and movies
Ever had the sudden urge to watch Love Actually but realised Netflix Nederland doesnโt stream it anymore?
VPNs allow you to stream award-winning shows and movies safely, regardless of where you are.
Find something for the whole family to watch. Image: Freepik
Youโve opened yourself up to a whole new world of movie night options, and you wonโt have to worry about any cyber threats to get your Greyโs Anatomy fix.
Youโll find the best deals for tickets, bookings, and more
Channel your inner Dutchie and find some nifty deals and discounts while using a VPN.
Online shopping websites like Amazon and ASOS track your location to offer different prices depending on where in the world they think you are.
For example, your search for hotel rooms will show more expensive results when you’re looking for them from the Netherlands, compared to if you were searching for them from the US:
The price when we search from within the Netherlands. Image: DutchReview
If you use a VPN to book from the United States, you’ll get a discount on the prices โ and this is just the tip of the iceberg:
Now, that’s a significant difference. Image: DutchReview
Surfshark: your best pick for VPNs in the Netherlands
Now that you know the benefits of getting a VPN, here are some of the ways Surfshark can protect your data while you browse the internet safely.
You can use a Surfshark VPN on an unlimited number of devices
To avoid confusion and stress, one Surfshark subscription is enough to protect your entire household.
Sleek, easy to use, and accessible on all your devices. Image: Surfshark/Supplied
No hassles making different accounts or dealing with subscription tiers โ one subscription will work on an unlimited number of devices.
Surfsharkโs VPN is ultra high-tech
Surfsharkโs VPN uses cutting-edge technology to ensure a smooth sailing online experience.
You can change your IP address every 10 minutes, making it more difficult for hackers and companies to track you and easier to prowl around for the best deals.
You’ll have plenty of choices for locations. Image: Surfshark/Supplied
The VPN also makes sure your internet runs fast while it’s encrypted without compromising security โ you wonโt ever have to choose between slow internet and unsecured connections again.
And speaking of unsecured connections, Surfshark has a built-in antivirus programme that scans files before downloading and opening them.
After all, you can never be too cautious when downloading stuff from the internet.
Surfshark offers one of the best VPNs for value
If thereโs anything Dutchies love, itโs a good bargain โ and Surfshark has exactly that.
In addition to its three affordable subscription tiers, each package offers you a whole host of built-in features: from an antivirus to a VPN to a secure browser… and more!
Your privacy is safer than ever
Depending on your subscription, youโll even have access to Surfshark Alert.
This handy feature gives you real-time alerts if your data’s been leaked, as well as regular security reports on how your personal information has been processed.
If any of your person details get leaked online, rest assured Surfshark will alert you as soon as possible! Image: Surfshark/Supplied
Apart from protecting your data and information from external parties, Surfshark doesnโt monitor, track, or store any of your online activity.
You can get support any time of the day
If you ever run into problems with Surfsharkโs VPN, youโll get access to 24/7 customer service.
You can check out their extensive FAQ, submit a request if the service isnโt living up to your expectations, and chat with a professional at the click of a button.
Ready to get secured? Surfshark has a range of products for all kinds of needs, equipped to provide the best services and keep your data under lock and key. Get the best VPN with Surfshark and their upcoming Black Friday deals!
Didn’t think the words “Dutch” and “poetry” were two things you’d hear in one sentence?
Well, turns out Dutchies can be quite the lyricists โ at least during the Sinterklaas celebrations. ๐ ๐ผ
After Sinterklaas’ (usually controversial) arrival in the Netherlands, the pepernoten, chocolate letter, and mandarin madness all culminate on December 5, which is pakjesavond! ๐
But pakjesavond isn’t only Dutchies’ edge over the rest of the world’s Christmas celebrations (um, who wouldn’t want two festive holidays in December?).
It’s also an evening of bad rhymes, roasts, and awkward memories as everyone reads aloud their sinterklaasgedicht (Sinterklaas poem).
What is it?
Prior to pakjesavond on December 5, each person is assigned a family member or friend to write a poem for โ which they’ll have to perform during the evening’s festivities.
Cute, right?
Before releasing the aww-sounds and thinking you’ve discovered a soft side to the Dutch directness, there’s a twist!
A sinterklaasgedicht isn’t your usual sobby poetry โ there’ll be no declarations of great love or friendship.
Nope, the Dutch take this opportunity to remind friends and family of all the funny moments, stupid mistakes, and weird quirks of the designated recipient.
Yep, typical Dutch directness, even during the holidays. ๐คฃ
So, when celebrating pakjesavond in the Netherlands, your real concern shouldn’t be whether you made it onto Sinterklaas’ nice list but if your friends and family remember that embarrassing thing you did two months ago. ๐
However, you can barely blame your friend or family member for bringing up an embarrassing mistake, as a sinterklaasgedicht is always written from the point of view of either Sint or his helper Piet.
Sneaky! ๐
Why do they do it?
Sinterklaas poems have a long history in the Netherlands with the oldest known poem dating back to 1647.
In the 1800s, the poems took on an educational character and were given to young school children.
After aย code yellow warning was issued for several Dutch regions on Monday, the weather delivers another blow (literally). Code yellow has now been bumped to code orange.
Due to storm Conall, some Dutch regions can expect very heavy winds today. ๐
What is a code orange? According to the KNMI (Royal Dutch Weather Institute), a code orange is issued when there is a high chance of dangerous weather, with risk of possible damage, injury or a lot of nuisance.
The culprit? Storm Conall
The NOS reports that code orange will be in effect this evening in these provinces:
North Holland
Friesland
Flevoland
Groningen
Drenthe
Overijssel.
The situation is a bit better in South Holland, Utrecht and Gelderland, where code yellow will apply.
๐ Code oranje voor storm Conall, die vandaag zorgt voor zeer zware windstoten in het noorden van het land. Houd via de KNMI-app of de website in de gaten wanneer de weerwaarschuwing voor jouw provincie geldt. https://t.co/mVXrIU9BIw#Conallpic.twitter.com/v75OQgs1oF
Translation: Code orange for storm Conall, which is causing very heavy gusts of wind in the north of the country today. Keep an eye on the KNMI app or the website when the weather warning applies to your province.
In typical storm fashion, Conall will cause wind gusts of 120 to 130 kilometres per hour in the coastal regions, and 100 to 100 km/h inland.
The code applies from 6 PM tonight and will unfortunately disrupt more than just your hairstyle.
Traffic jams and a busier rush hour are expected, especially in the Randstad area. KLM has also cancelled 72 flights from Schiphol.
Dig what you’re reading? Get more of it! Join our WhatsApp channel or Instagram broadcast to get the latest news straight to your pocket. โก๏ธ
There is no Dutch tradition as cherished as the Sinterklaas poem (well, except perhaps Zwarte Piet). But, what is this mysterious sinterklaasgedicht โ and how do you write one?
If it’s your first Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, you may be stressing about joining in on this creative activity. But rest assured, it’s supposed to be a fun and informal bonding moment โ so relax and get ready to roast your friend.
What is a Sinterklaas poem?
A Sinterklaas poem is a piece of writing given to a designated person. It’s normally accompanied by an inexpensive gift (often in elaborate packaging called a surprise).
You don’t need to be Robert Frost for this poem, though, and you probably won’t need to pull a thesaurus off a shelf.
Instead, this poem is supposed to be a chance for you to poke some fun at your friend: their habits, a silly thing that happened to them this year, or the time they fell into a canal drunk. Your choice!
An iconic part of Dutch Christmas is the swapping of Sinterklaas poems. Image: Unsplash
There’s a catch: the poem is always written from the perspective of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet. So instead of “When we went to the airport, and you forgot your passport”, it should be “Sint & Piet heard you went to the airport and forgot your passport.”
Who gives Sinterklaas poems?
While the Sinterklaasgedicht is normally a tradition for children, adults often join in the fun. It’s not uncommon to do a poem exchange in a sports club, association, class at university, or group of friends.
On pakjesavond, on December 5 each year, your group will generally gather together.
If you come for dinner, you may get to enjoy the tradition of gourmetten (which is less gourmet than it sounds), drink some mulled wine, and exchange poems.
If you’re also exchanging surprises you normally integrate your poem into the packaging.
For example, if the subject of your poem loves dogs, you may make them a surprise that looks like a dog and then roll up the poem to sit inside the dog’s mouth like a bone.
Exchange your poem over dinner, and wash it all down with a glass of wine. Image: Unsplash
The poem is typically typed or handwritten on a normal piece of paper โ no decoration is necessary, but go crazy if the mood strikes you.
When the time comes, each person will receive the poem written about them individually. You’ll receive your poem and read it aloud to the room (with plenty of laugh breaks, of course).
How long should a Sinterklaas poem be?
There’s no real length of a Sinterklaas poem โ but if you’re like me, that’s not what you want to hear.
So, as a general rule, make sure your poem is a minimum of eight lines long. Some even argue it should be at least one page.
Again, there are no rules. My partner once received a poem that was four or five pages long (she did a lot of dumb stuff that year).
What should my poem be about?
If you’re giving a surprise and a gift with your poem, it’s common for your poem to reference the gift itself for at least part of it. For the other part, or if you’re not giving a gift, your poem shouldn’t be afraid to have some fun.
Laughing is genuinely the intent of the poem, so save your sappy stuff about being best friends forever. You can take it easy and talk about fun things, like their favourite football team or a dish they’re good at making.
Alternatively, you can start roasting the recipient (all in good fun, of course).
If you’re struggling with ideas, write out anything you think of when thinking about your friend. Write down any possible options, then work from that.
Is your friend always late? Chews with their mouth open? Quite often forgets to scan a few items at the supermarket self-checkout? Do they wear the same sweater every day? Can’t drive? Is forever losing their wallet or phone? Has a new boyfriend/girlfriend every week?
All of these things are prime fodder for your Sinterklaas poem.
How should my poem be written?
Your poem should definitely rhyme, but you shouldn’t stress too much about making it perfect. Most people prefer to write four-line verses in an AABB rhyming scheme. For example:
Sint and Piet heard something that made them cry, Mary, why do your plants always die? Maybe you should give them water now and then, Instead of being obsessed with sexy Tinder men.
Alternatively, you could write your poem in ABCB rhyming style to make it even easier. For example:
Sint and Piet quickly checked their records “Why, Piet,” said Sinterklaas, “Mary’s doing something incorrect” Piet nodded in agreement, She still hasn’t learned Dutch yet!
If you’re struggling to start your poem, you can always start it with a cliche:
Sint en Piet zaten te denken, // Sint and Piet were thinking Wat ze jou zouden schenken // What they should give you
And, if you really are struggling with rhymes, don’t be afraid to use your trusty friend Google. There are stacks of rhyme generators out there to give you a hand. ๐
Should I write my Sinterklaas poem in English or Dutch?
That is completely up to you and your friends.
If you feel like taking a swing in Dutch, go ahead! But remember, the Dutch are pretty damn good at English, so if you want to make it easy (or if there will be other non-Dutch speakers present), let your friends know you’ll write in English.
Have you written a Sinterklaas poem before? Got any top tips? Tell us in the comments below!
If you’ve ever visited, lived (or still live) in the Netherlands, then you know that the weather can be a bit hit-and-miss. Whether it’s rainy, windy, stormy, freezing, snowing, or rainy again, there always seems to be something to complain about.
Some people say it rains so much here because the House of Orange arranged it with their powers so that Dutch people have something to talk about!
But seriously, why does it rain so much in the Netherlands? And does it actually rain that much more than in other places? What is up with the weather in the Netherlands?! Let’s find out!
The Dutch climate
As you probably know, the Netherlands is located next to the North Sea, and the wind direction usually blows southwest, which means it has what’s known as a ‘moderate maritime climate.’ Fun fact: in Dutch this is known as het zeeklimaat (sea climate).
This means that the Netherlands experiences warm (but not hot) summers and fairly mild winters, without any really big temperature changes during the seasons (which is certainly not how it feels to us during winter โ or summer for that matter).
But compared to places such as, say, Canada, the Netherlands doesn’t actually get that cold.
Snow is quite rare in the Netherlands, so when it comes out, it’s time to play! Image: Freepik
Rain in the Netherlands
While it seems like it rains a lot in the Netherlands, in actuality, the average rainfall isn’t that high.
The main reason that it sure seems to rain so much is that the weather can be very unpredictable, and the lack of mountains in the Netherlands means there is nothing to block any incoming depressions from the sea.
The Netherlands actually only receives about 700 millimetres of rainfall a year, which is fairly similar to places such as San Antonio, Texas โ just without any of the really extreme temperature changes, floods, and tornadoes!
A bike seat cover is a Dutch essential (or a plastic bag โ that’ll do the job too)! Image: Depositphotos
But while we can tell you that it doesn’t actually rain that much here, it doesn’t change the fact that the unpredictability of the weather can still be annoying.
Even if the weather seems nice and sunny in the morning, by the afternoon it might be raining; so you should always take an umbrella or jacket with you, just in case.
And when you go out during the middle of summer, expecting a lovely warm sunny day, but instead you get RAIN (again!), it sure does feel like it’s always raining!
How to survive the weather in the Netherlands
While it might not rain a huge amount, the rainfall does come fairly often in small parts. And even those small parts can be annoying when you are trying to get to work or school, sight-see or travel around the country. Here are our top tips for surviving the Dutch rain:
Always carry a decent umbrella with you โ preferably one small enough to fit in a bag but sturdy enough not to turn inside out as soon as it’s windy, which it usually is here in the Netherlands!
If you’re getting into the Dutch habit of biking everywhere, make sure you cover your bike seat with a plastic bag (secured with a rubber band) when you’re leaving it outside โ this will save you having a wet behind when you have to get back on it after a rain shower!
Check the weather apps, but don’t always trust them. Sometimes mine has told me it’s snowing when it’s sunny, so at least look outside as well.
If it is raining (or pouring), take advantage of some of the country’s great indoor attractions: such as museums, art galleries, and breweries. Every major city in the Netherlands, like Amsterdam, Leiden, and Tilburg, has great museums you can go to!
For more tips on surviving the Dutch weather and to learn some new Dutch words about rain, make sure you watch this amusing video by the Survival Guide to the Dutch!
How do you survive the weather here? Let us know in the comments below!
Dutch supermarkets may lure you in with an array of colourful fruits and veggies, but donโt be fooled โ cookies and chips are lurking in the next aisle, ready to sabotage your good intentions.
To answer that, the government ranked some of the most popular stores based on how healthy their products are and their efforts to encourage healthier choices for consumers.ย
Each segment contains food groups that provide health benefits and essential nutrients. Foods that do neither? Those are excluded from the wheel.
Yep, fruits and veg are a big part of the wheel! Image: Depositphotos
According to guidelines, no more than 15% of your daily food intake should be outside the wheel โ but supermarket sales show that not all consumers are sticking to this advice. ๐
For example:
At Aldi, 28% of sales fall within the wheel.
At Dirk, 32% of sales fall within the wheel.
At Lidl, 37% of sales fall within the wheel.
Jumbo and Albert Heijn claim that 40% of their sales fall within the Wheel of Five, but they only report their sales from private labels.ย
According to Charlotte Linnebank, director of Questionmark, a European foundation researching food systems, this gives a distorted picture since โit is precisely the A-brands that often offer unhealthy productsโ.
The healthiest supermarkets: ranked
In 2018, Dutch supermarkets signed the National Prevention Agreement, committing to encourage their consumers to purchase more products from the Wheel of Five.
However, by offering discounts on unhealthy products, supermarkets contradict their commitment, as these acties make us consume more of these items than intended.
The colourful packaging of unhealthy foods also attracts people to it. Image: Depositphotos
Based on these parameters, researchers have created a list ranking each supermarketโs efforts to become healthier for consumersโฆ And the results are in. ๐
1
Eco Plaza ๐
2
Lidl
3
Dirk
4
Jumbo
5
Aldi
6
Albert Heijn
7
Plus
Yep, the infamous and much beloved Albert Heijn ranks second to last on the list. ๐ฅฒ
Albert Heijn and Jumbo both resist the results of this research, claiming that the system used in the scoring does not do justice to their efforts to help people achieve healthier lifestyles.
Do you feel as though this list reflects the reality of these supermarkets? Let us know in the comments below.
Dutch culture is notoriously open-minded. Controversial topics such as abortion, drug use, euthanasia, homosexuality and prostitution are viewed as fundamental, autonomous human rights.
Sex workers sitting in public view in the windows of the Red Light District is far from scandalous or immoral, despite being the stomping grounds for curious tourists.
However, when I moved to the Netherlands, there was something more shocking than the Red Light District that immediately crossed my mind.
It was the windows across the idyllic city of Amsterdam that offered an open and unshielded view into people’s own homes. So the question remains: why are the Dutch so averse to curtains? ๐ค
Somewhere between religion and myths
Calvinism played a huge role in forming the mindset of Dutch society.
Although the majority of the Dutch today consider themselves atheists, the characteristics of Calvinism โ hard work (although not too hard), discipline, and frugalityย โ still heavily influence the general mindset.
Catholics believe in the purchasing of salvation by saving the soul from sin through Sunday donations and the tithe (donating 10% of your annual income).
Calvinists, on the other hand, believe that our destiny is already predetermined by God as sin inherently exists in each human as a result of Adam and Eve.
Consequently, a believer must prove their faith through their own economic activity and self-control.
The abundance of materialistic luxury that embodies the Catholic church is obviously a fundamental contradiction to any frugal Calvinist.
Historically, the clergy at the top enjoyed the benefits of financial gain, but always behind closed doors and โ more importantly โ closed curtains.
Nope, nothing shady to see here! Image: Depositphotos
Conversely, the Calvinist mentality focused on an open door policy with nothing to hide and, accordingly, open curtains. See what we’re getting at here?
Of course, there are always a few fictional tales circulating. One popular myth is that back in the day, men often spent a lot of time at sea, away from their wives.
What better way to instil some good old neighbourhood watch vibes than by adopting a culture of open windows?
It ensured that these lonely ladies didnโt get up to any mischief while their men were away. Closed curtains called for suspicion, whilst open curtains kept any harmful gossip at bay.
It’s a tossup between fear and faith
Growing up in the aftermath of predominant Catholicism, itโs still common in Ireland to see semitransparent lace blinds dominate living rooms during the daytime. And, once the sun sets, some thick blackout curtains to keep the heat in and any peering eyes out.
However, in the Netherlands, not only are curtains a rarity, but windows are generally larger.
There is a compromise that some Dutch submit to โ vinyl stickers pasted on windows that force prying eyes to work a little harder whilst still maintaining a level of transparency, of course.
And a bit like consensual voyeurism
Apartment living in Amsterdam is tight on space, especially in my neighbourhood of The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes).
Buildings are tall and โ dare I say โ uncomfortably close to your neighbourโs curtain-less living room.
With houses as beautiful as this, it’s difficult to look away! Image: Depositphotos
Maybe itโs my natural curiosity or admiration for Dutch interior design, but sometimes I cannot help but look into my older neighbourโs beautiful living room.
But, any attempt at a friendly wave on my part is ignored as though I don’t exist. I genuinely donโt believe this is a scornful burn but rather an internalised acceptance of a cultural norm that I was previously oblivious to.
I tested this norm during the historic 40 degrees heatwave of July 2019, parading around in my bikini, demonstrating some terrible dance moves, and performing some questionable activities. But, nothing, niks, nada!
Despite this, and never having bumped into each other in the street or verbally chatted in some weird way, I feel like I know this stranger.
In fact, I’ve pretty much memorised his daily routine!
He always eats dinner at 7 PM on the couch, his sons visiting from time to time, has no partner, enjoys reading the newspaper in the morning, and likes inviting his friends over to watch football (but only when AFC Ajax is playing!)
Knowing who your neighbour hangs out with on the regular is pretty common. Image: Depositphotos
But it’s not only my neighbour and I: many people live in what can only be described as a shop window.
Large paned windows, often with no curtains and the contents of the household on display to whoever walks by.
If you have seen The Truman Show with Jim Carey, this manner of living can only be described as a conscious form of surveillance.
However, this is where you can go back to the aforementioned Calvinist idea of self-control โ no peeking!
So should you just do away with curtains?
I’ve made two conclusions from living in the land of no curtains:
After living in the Middle East for a few years and internalising a more conservative outlook, Iโm beginning to ‘go Dutch’ in more ways than one. It’s safe to say that I can get on board with this open-minded mentality!
I rarely close my curtains, and I can now dance around my bedroom listening to Rockwellโs ‘Somebodyโs Watching Me’ without having shivers go down my spine!
Donโt consider moving to the Netherlands to open up a successful curtain shop because it will more than likely fail.
What do you think about the Dutch and their lack of curtains? Have you been guilty of peering into someone’s house? Let us know in the comments below.
You havenโt really been a student in the Netherlands until youโve had some housing troubles. No one knows this better than Vos Vissers, who has to commute four hours each day to get to and from university.
While Voss attends a Dutch university, he technically isnโt a student in the Netherlands โ at least not in his free time. He still lives in his German hometown, since finding a room in Utrecht is simply impossible.ย
The daily grind
The second-year journalism student describes his daily commute to the AD. It starts at about 7:30 AM in Kranenburg, Germany, a town right across the border.ย
The bus is the first mode of transportation on Vos’s list โ if it shows up. If it doesnโt come or happens to arrive early, he has to wait an entire hour for the next one. ๐
After taking the bus across the German-Dutch border, Vos hops on a 50-minute long train to Utrecht, followed by a tram to his university campus.ย
His total travel time? A whopping four hours. We just hope his teachers have a relaxed lateness policy.ย ย
Potential new roommates have to toe the line between not being too nice (and seeming fake) and not being too reserved.
And you better hope one of the room applicants isnโt already friends with the residents. In that case, your chances are zero.
There might be hope for Vos
Considering the fact that Vos is still making his 4-hour journey a year and a half into his studies, he has to be an incredibly optimistic and determined person (or at least incredibly passionate about journalism).ย
But the good news is that he might have things to look forward to.ย
In the coming year, Utrecht will see the largest increase in the amount of student rooms in the entirety of the Netherlands, with hundreds of new accommodations being announced.ย
It’s that time of the year โ let’s talk about seasonal depression in the Netherlands. Mental health in the Netherlands is a topic that we discussed before, but today we want to focus on Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
Before we dive into the topic of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), please consider contacting your GP as soon as you can if you or someone you know is exhibiting very serious symptoms of a breakdown or could potentially harm themselves or people around them.
You can also call these helplines:
Suicide prevention Netherlands: 0800 โ 0113
Samaritans:ย 0602 222 88
We can also understand the nervousness and anxiety you must feel when moving to a new country with an already existing mental or physical health issue.
If you want to know everything about healthcare and health insurance in the Netherlands, check out our guide. You can also find out everything you need to know about mental healthcare in the Netherlands here.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD)
Have you ever had the feeling that you’re entering into hibernation mode during the winter months, where you sleep either too much or too little, eat way too much or too little, and avoid social gatherings because you seriously lack the energy to get out of your house?
An aspect of depression can be isolation and loneliness. Image: Freepik
You might tell yourself that you just can’t be bothered to go out because it’s too cold, or that you prefer your own company. Even running necessary errands like going to the grocery store becomes a chore, and the things on your to-do list just keep getting longer.
If you feel like this in the colder months of the year, then you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short.
If you relate to these symptoms, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Image: Depositphotos
Although it’s different from depression, it is more common among those with a pre-existing depressive disorder. People with SAD usually show symptoms during late autumn or early winter and resume normal mental health during the spring and summer.
There are also cases where the symptoms begin in spring or summer. This disorder makes the person exhibit mild to moderate depressive symptoms, which start to get more severe as the season continues.
Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder
According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of SAD include but are not limited to:
Feeling depressed for most of the day on most days
Lack of motivation or interest to do things you once enjoyed
Lack of energy
Lack of sleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much
Eating too much or too little
Fatigue
Finding it hard to focus
Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
Suicidal thoughts or thoughts about death
Some symptoms are specific to winter and autumn depression and may include:
Oversleeping
Change in appetite and craving more carbohydrate-rich foods
Gaining weight
Feeling tired all the time
Other symptoms are specific to summer and spring depression and may include:
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Leading to weight loss
Restlessness or anxiety
What causes SAD?
SAD was first mentioned in medical literature as early as 1845 and was dubbed as such only in the 1980s. The causes of this disorder are yet to be established. However, there is a correlation between SAD and a lack of light.
Without getting bogged down with too much medical terminology, the important terms to know about are the hypothalamus, the part of your brain that maintains hormonal balance; melatonin, the hormone which monitors your sleep cycles; and serotonin, the brain chemical or neurotransmitter which affects your mood.
The lack of light during Dutch winter can impact your internal biological clock. Reduced light is linked to a drop in serotonin levels, which are related to symptoms of depression.
No matter how pretty Amsterdam is during the winter months, the lack of sun can be a real problem. Image: Depositphotos
Melatonin levels are also affected by the change in seasons, where darkness produces more of the hormone, making us more sleepy.
In the summer or spring, the body could have exhausted the hypothalamus during the winter months, thus leading to the improper functioning of this part of your brain.
Who is more likely to suffer from SAD?
This disorder has been diagnosed more in women than in men, and it affects younger adults more than older adults. The risk of having the disorder increases if you have a blood relative who has this disorder or another form of depression.
If you have major depression or bipolar disorder, your symptoms can worsen during the same time of the year.
Lack of sleep or too much sleep are both symptoms of SAD. Image: Depositphotos
If you have or are at risk for any of the above-mentioned factors, be sure to tell your doctor or the mental health professional who’s treating you.
What can be done to help with SAD?
If you are exhibiting mild symptoms, the following tips may help. But seek medical help as soon as possible before it starts to severely affect your work and quality of life.
Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule
As mentioned before, it can get difficult to wake up in the morning or get to bed at night because of changes in your hormone and brain chemical levels.
If it’s only mild symptoms that you are exhibiting, try to get to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Be sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep between the same times. This may seem silly, but sleep affects much more than we realise.
Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule can help your mental health. Image: Freepik
Be sure not to use your computer, stare at your phone screen right before bed, or stimulate your brain too much. Make your room as dark as possible by closing the curtains so that no streetlights keep you up.
To make yourself sleepy as your bedtime approaches, you can take a relaxing shower, have a cup of tea, or get your to-do list together for the next day.
Bonus points if you want to write down a few good things that happened to you that day! Being depressed can make you feel like nothing is going right, but this can make you realise it’s not all bad. Even if some good things are very small, it’s better than nothing!
Dust off your gym clothes
Exercise, even when your brain tells you not to. Start off small: start with a walk. Remember: anything is better than nothing.
Do this for a week, increasing your distance slowly. Slowly build up your stamina by turning your walks into jogs, and try to keep increasing the distance you cover.
You can even try to do yoga at home. Image: Depositphotos
If jogging is not your thing, geen probleem! Your bike is there when you need it. You can also join the gym, take up yoga, try Zumba, salsa, kickboxing, or even rock climbing! Basically, any physical activity is good for you. It is up to you to decide what kind.
Light therapy
Yes, there is something called a SAD lamp (or the more positive “happy lamp”, they both mean the same thing), and you can buy it on Bol! It’s basically a lamp that emits light which mimics sunshine.
Portable sizes can be bought, and you can keep one in your office and use it throughout the day while you work away at your computer. But be sure to consult your doctor so that it is the most effective for you.
“Sunshine” vitamin supplements
The lack of sunlight can also be linked to vitamin D deficiency. When there is no natural source of vitamin D, like the sun, it is important to incorporate it into your diet.
seasonal depression kicking my ass already, feeling exhausted, drained of energy and motivation, creatively uninspired, groggy and miserable pic.twitter.com/uDAyQe5CyS
The foods which are rich in this vitamin are dairy products like milk (soy milk for the vegans), cheese, and citrus fruits like oranges. Consult your doctor for more options and to consider adding vitamin D supplements into your routine. They can help you determine the dosage.
Rely on your support system
Your support system is the group of people who you can always rely on to take care of you when you cannot take care of yourself.
Living as an expat, especially if you have recently arrived, can be extremely lonely. It is understandable if you feel like you do not have anyone like this in the country yet.
It becomes difficult to be social if your symptoms are really severe, and that is a point you do not want to reach. Moving to a new country is all about breaking out of your shell, right?
Gather some friends and find something fun to do with them! Bonus points if you find a Christmas market. Image: Depositphotos
You can build that support system by going to classes (this is where that physical activity tip also comes into good use) and meeting people with similar interests. Invite your co-workers out for lunch, or have them over for dinner.
Or turn that around if you know someone who is new and does not know a lot of people. You know how hard it is to be the new kid on the block. Use your experience so that it’s a little bit easier for the newbies. We are all in this together, after all!
Seasonal depression can be very challenging sometimes. When it starts to get tough, it can help to go back to the very basics: sleep, food, movement, and loved ones.
But, if none of these tips helps you, contact your GP and get help because mental health sometimes needs additional help.
Have you experienced seasonal depression in the Netherlands before? Do you have more tips? Let us know in the comments below!
Dutch girls are tough, direct, and financially smart. They stay busy and look gorgeous doing it. Sure, French girls are fab โ but if you ask us, we think Dutch girls are the new French girls.
Historically, French girls have been all the rage. Theyโre the cover girls for natural, effortless beauty, timeless, classic fashion, and, of course, the red lip.
But as much as we love the French girl, itโs time the Dutch girl got her time in the spotlight. They have that instantly recognisable style and that enviable toughness. We all have something to learn from them.
Not convinced? Buckle down and listen up. Hereโs why the Dutch girl is the new French girl. ๐
They have that effortlessly perfect makeup
No, we donโt mean a โno-makeup-makeupโ look that takes 27 products and an hour to achieve.
Much like French girls, who often opt for a more minimal, classic look, Dutch girls love simplicity.
It’s simple, it’s beautiful, Dutch women know how to rock a light look. Image: Freepik
But Dutch girls approach this look from a different angle. Rather than classic simplicity (which can take some elbow grease), they go for that light, subtle makeup that takes 10 minutes at most and still manages to leave them glowing.
Itโs not trying too hard, and itโs accentuating their natural features rather than trying to attain the standard of a โclassic beauty.โ
Dutch girls donโt do anything to try and fit a specific (and often unattainable) mould of beauty, which leaves them with this gorgeous, attainable, natural look that reminds us we are humans, we have pores and blemishes, and we are still hot as hell. ๐ฅ
But thatโs just the Dutch girls who do wear makeup. In the Netherlands, wearing no makeup at all is very common. Itโs not expected in social or professional settings. Grabbing a drink with your friend? No need for concealer; just come as you are!
Plus, waking up early for work is hard enough, so you might as well enjoy those extra 15 minutes of sleep and go to the office au naturel.
The Dutch apply their no-nonsense directness to their beauty routine, too. You get what you get, maybe sometimes with some mascara, lip balm, and a tiny eyeliner wing if theyโre feeling particularly crazy.
We all love the glamour of French girl makeup, but it’s great to know that you can also rock a simpler look in the Netherlands.
They rock laid-back but put-together outfits
We all know those people who show up looking perfect at any social event, and when you compliment them, they say, โOh, this old thing? I just threw it on.โ
Much like the French, they bring that extra oomph to comfort wear: maybe a scarf, Chelsea boots that arenโt like the ones youโve seen everywhere, or the inescapable oversized blazer.
When we try to do it, we look like we havenโt showered in a month, but when Dutch girls do it, they just look cool.
Itโs the perfect balance between comfort and, for lack of a better word, slaying. Their low-key style doesnโt rely on being overly embellished to look great. The beauty is in how they carry themselves: confident, tough, and glowing. ๐
They somehow always have flawless hair
Maybe the secret to their stunning appearance is in their Dutch hair. Can anything look good with the right hairstyle? No, that doesnโt make sense because Dutch girls look perfect whether their hair is loose and messy or slicked back in a fierce bun.
Seriously, how do they do it? Image: Freepik
Itโs mesmerising, honestly. How do they do it? They crawl out of bed, maybe run a quick brush through their hair and bam. They could be in a Head & Shoulders commercial. Done. Perfect.
If itโs not how they like it, geen probleem. They bring out the classic claw clip, and in three seconds, they achieve that signature hairstyle that we have tried our whole lives to achieve.
Maybe itโs a result of a lifetime of facing Dutch winds on their bikes. Itโs like their hair has developed a tolerance to the world, and however they wear it โ bun, loose, clip, braids, curly, straight โ it always looks good.
This is something that Dutch and French girls have in common: the ability to have perfect hair in any situation. We need to find out their secrets.
They know how to save money โ but also how to spend it
Letโs get to the real stuff. The Dutch are notorious for being stingy, frugal, and just a bit intense about money. Dutch girls arenโt so different (because they are, after all, Dutch), but they also know how to spend.
Letโs start with the saving. Itโs not that Dutch girls spend no money. Itโs that Dutch girls know how and where to shop.
Dutch girls really understand the value of a second-hand shop. Image: Freepik
Like the French, many Dutch girls get their goods at markets or local bakeries rather than giant overpriced supermarkets (ahem, Albert Heijn). And it doesnโt stop at the groceries.
How? Youโll find your classic Dutch girl frequenting markets (online and in person), antique shops, and kringlopen (thrift shops).
Aside from this, theyโll source their friendsโ old furniture and sometimes even grab something cute thatโs just been left out on the street. One (wo)manโs trash is another (wo)manโs treasure, right?
What sets them apart from us mere mortals is what they do with all that money theyโre saving. Thereโs no point in having this money collecting dust in your bank account, waiting for a rainy day.
After all, almost every day in the Netherlands is a rainy day! So they treat themselves: a terrasje drink, a dinner with the girls, train tickets for a weekend away, a coupon for a spa day (even when planning to splurge, always check for a coupon first!)
The Dutch girl truly knows where to save so they can live lavishly โ and look stunning while doing it.
Theyโre not just gorgeous โ theyโre also tough
Our admiration isnโt just because of their beauty and their financial literacy. Another reason why Dutch girls are the new French girls is their thick skin.
Sure, you donโt want to mess with a French girl and her perfectly manicured nails โ but the Dutch girls arenโt afraid to get some dirt under those French tips.
But donโt mistake their kindness for weakness, and donโt go thinking Dutch directness means you can say whatever you want. Treat these ladies with the respect they deserve (or suffer the consequences!)
The best part? They do the same for their friends. If youโve ever told a Dutch girl a story about something unpleasant that happened to you, they will react with such disbelief that it reminds you: you donโt have to deal with that.
Your Dutch friend will always have your back. Image: Freepik
They encourage you to stand up for yourself and applaud you when you do. But if youโre not ready to confront a bad situation, theyโll often do it for you. In short, Dutch girls look out for their friends! ๐ฏ
Sometimes, they can be a bit intimidating while doing it. And theyโre often not scared of telling you some hard truths. If youโre wrong in the situation, they will let you know. But it comes from a place of, well, love.
They know how to balance work and play
Just like they know how to save and spend, Dutch girls also know how to work and play. They apply their mental toughness to the task at hand, focusing on it and not complaining in the process.
Yep, they do what needs to be done. But at exactly 17:00, they clock out, head home, let their hair down, grab a glass of wine, and stop.
But they also know how to make work more enjoyable. All it takes is a stroll down the street on a sunny day. Youโll see them sitting in the park, with their laptop at a table outside, or working on their windowsill with wide open windows to get some sun while they type up a storm.
This is a characteristic they share with their French counterparts. Itโs also not rare to see a French girl enjoying coffee on their own French terrasje.
Theyโre always on the go
Donโt mistake their leisure for laziness. Dutch girls are often busy even when they unwind (although theyโre only human, so every once in a while, they do just sit and stare at a screen. But, like, in a cool way).
Ask a Dutch girl what she will get up to after work, and theyโll likely tell you that theyโre about to head to a hot yoga or pilates class in a snazzy gym.
Ok, fine, sometimes Dutch girls do just sit and chill. Image: Depositphotos
Maybe theyโll have a drink by the canal regardless of the temperature. Maybe theyโll bring a book to the park and sit alone on the grass. Or maybe theyโll have dinner with a friend at home.
Meanwhile, French girls often unwind by walking around the city or enjoying a meal with their friends, withstanding any adverse weather thrown their way and looking amazing while doing it โ you see the parallels?
However, while the French girl might be a bit more casual with her time, Dutch girls schedule their free time.
Maybe they can squeeze in a coffee with a friend between their Tuesday hockey practice and the dinner with their family that has been scheduled three months in advance โ but if itโs going to happen, it has to be put on the agenda.
Feeling very called out. Image: DutchReview
They rest daily and yet somehow are always busy. Whether itโs just leisure and socialising or blowing off steam playing field hockey, they found the perfect way to unwind.
They love cigarettes and coffee, like the French girls
French girls may have claimed the whole โblack coffee and cigarettesโ vibe (which, by the way, feels somewhat reductive), but Dutch girls also dabble.
When you inevitably go to a lekker koffie with a Dutch girl on a cute terrasje, prepare to be caught in a cloud of cigarette smoke. The pack with someoneโs very gruesome health issues sitting on the table is almost part of the aesthetic of this little coffee date.
We would look plain unhealthy smoking a ciggie, but not the Dutch. Much like the French, it somehow adds to the glamour of the look.
The only difference? Dutch girls trade in the red lipstick for milk in their coffee.
Much like how we all love the French girl, we hope you share our admiration for the Dutch girl. We will spend the rest of our days trying to dress, save, and relax like them. Whereโs our oversized blazer?ย
Do you think Dutch girls are underappreciated? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
