Featured Image Credit: Instagram/sejsejlija
Topics: Travel, World News, Social Media
Niamh Shackleton
A woman who lives in a remote location that's plummeted into darkness for months on end has revealed the affects that it has had on her body.
Cecilia Blomdahl has lived on Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole, for a decade after what was supposed to be a three-month trip extended into a permanent residency.
Blomdahl, who hails from Sweden originally, didn't expect to fall in love with Svalbard like she did.
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"I love it more than ever I ever thought." she told PEOPLE. Blomdhal added that she 'never thought' she'd make the unique island her home.
As to what makes Svalbard so exclusive, the island — which is one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas — is plummeted into darkness for three months at a time.
The reason for this is because of something known as Polar Night, which is a period of time where the Sun doesn't rise above the horizon in the Arctic.
For Svalbard residents, they end up living in pitch black conditions from around mid-November through to January.
During this time, you 'see no difference in day or night', says Blomdahl.
With the starry nights, optimal viewing of the Northern Lights, and frequent run-ins with local reindeer, Blomdahl, who documents her life on her social media channels, described living in Svalbard as like 'living in a fairytale'.
But the three-month long darkness comes with its downsides.
Sharing how it affects her body, she explained: "It definitely affects your body in a way where you notice a difference. Maybe you're more tired, you move at a different pace."
"Your mindset to a season like this is crucial," Blomdahl went on. "I wake up with a very happy disposition about everything."
Svalbard's 'enticing and exciting' exclusivity also helps with her positive outlook.
As well as Polar Nights, Svalbard's has Polar Days, meaning that residents are exposed to 24 hours of endless daylight for four months.
Of the two, Blomdahl says Polar Nights are easier to deal with.
She said: "When I compare the two, I really do think Polar Night is so much easier for me than 24-7 daylight."
The constant daylight leaves Blomdahl's body 'very stressed' as there isn't an easy way to wind down.
"We go to bed with the sun in the sky. And when we wake up, it's still there," she said.
Blomdahl relies heavily on blackout blinds and a sleeping mask to be able to sleep during these 'difficult' bright months.