The Science of Cosiness: Why Winter Feels Better With Warm Light, Soft Sound and Ritual

4 December 2025

Paul Francis

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Somewhere between the first frosty morning and the second early sunset, many of us start craving the same things: warm light, hot drinks, familiar films, thick socks, and the sense that home is a refuge from the outdoors. We call it “cosy”, but the feeling is not just aesthetic. It is physical, psychological, and surprisingly practical.

Woman in a cozy sweater sits on a sofa holding a stuffed animal, near a decorated Christmas tree. Warm lights create a festive mood.

Cosiness is what happens when your body senses safety and steadiness. It is comfort, but with a particular flavour: warmth, softness, predictability and a gentle lowering of demands.

What “cosy” really is

Cosiness is often described like a mood, but it behaves more like an environment. It is created by a combination of signals that tell your nervous system, “you can relax now”.

Those signals tend to fall into a few familiar categories:

Warmth (temperature, blankets, hot food)
Softness (textures, cushions, knitted fabrics)
Low glare lighting (lamps, candles, fairy lights)
Low threat sound (quiet music, gentle voices, rain on windows)
Small rituals (tea at the same time, lighting a candle, a film tradition)

In winter, these cues work harder because the outside world feels harsher, darker, louder and colder. Cosiness becomes a way of counterbalancing.

Why winter makes us want it more

In the UK, winter hits in a very specific way: damp cold, short days, and long stretches of grey. Less daylight can affect energy levels and mood, partly because it disrupts sleep timing and daily routines. Even if you do not feel “sad”, you can still feel less motivated, a bit flatter, and more easily tired.

Cosy settings offer a gentle solution. They reduce stimulation, encourage rest, and help you slow down without needing to call it “self care”.

The comfort of warm light

Bright overhead lighting can feel harsh when it is dark outside. Warm, low lighting tends to feel safer and more flattering, but there is something deeper going on too. At night, the body is more suited to calm light rather than intense glare. Lamps and warm tones mimic firelight, which humans have used for thousands of years to signal rest and safety after dark.

If you want a quick cosy upgrade, change the lighting first. Even a single lamp can shift a room from “functional” to “inviting”.

Soft sound and the “safe noise” effect

Silence can be peaceful, but it can also make a home feel empty. Cosy sound is rarely loud. It is predictable, soft, and steady. Think: gentle playlists, radio voices, crackling fire videos, rain sounds.

This kind of audio does something important. It fills the background so your mind stops scanning for surprises. If you have had a stressful day, soft sound can make it easier to come down from that heightened state.

Texture is emotional, not decorative

Texture is one of the fastest ways to create cosiness because your skin reads it instantly. Rough, cold or synthetic textures can keep you feeling slightly “on guard”. Soft, warm fabrics can do the opposite.

You do not need to redesign a room. One throw, one thick hoodie, one pair of warm slippers can change the entire feel of a winter evening.

Why rituals feel powerful in December

Many cosy habits are rituals. A ritual is not just a routine. It has meaning. It marks a moment as special, even if the act is small.

In winter, rituals help because they provide:

Predictability when days feel rushed or chaotic
A sense of control when the outside world feels uncertain
A cue to rest, especially when you struggle to switch off

This is why seasonal rituals catch on so easily. The first mince pie, the first film night, the first tree decoration. They are small anchors that make the month feel structured.

How to build cosiness without buying loads

Cosiness can become a shopping trend, but it does not have to be.

A simple “cosy checklist” looks like this:

One warm light source (lamp, fairy lights, candles)
One comforting texture (throw, thick socks, soft hoodie)
One safe sound (quiet playlist or spoken radio)
One warm drink or meal
One small ritual you repeat

The point is not perfection. The point is signalling to yourself that you are allowed to slow down.

Cosiness is not laziness, and it is not just decoration. In winter, it can be a quiet form of adaptation. A way of restoring energy, lowering stress, and finding warmth when the season asks us to endure cold and darkness.

In a world that rarely stops shouting, the cosy moment is often the moment your body finally believes it is safe.

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Tensions in Los Angeles as Protests Continue Over ICE Raids

Paul Francis
Jun 9
3 min read

As of Monday morning UK time, Los Angeles remains gripped by unrest following a weekend of violent protests, dozens of arrests, and the deployment of National Guard troops. The city has become the epicentre of a fierce national debate over immigration enforcement and federal authority, with demonstrators taking to the streets in response to a wave of controversial raids carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Authorities say nearly 40 people have been arrested across the city since Friday, with violent confrontations between protesters and police erupting around key sites, including the 101 freeway and federal buildings downtown.

Car engulfed in intense flames at night, with vibrant orange and red hues against a dark background, creating a dramatic scene.

How the Los Angeles Protests Turned Violent

Initially peaceful, the protests escalated dramatically on Sunday evening. Demonstrators reportedly hurled concrete, bottles, and fireworks at officers, while law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.

Several journalists were caught in the crossfire. Australian television reporter Lauren Tomasi was struck live on air by a rubber bullet, prompting international outcry. A British photojournalist suffered serious injuries requiring emergency medical care.

City officials have described scenes of chaos, with Molotov cocktails being thrown and parts of the city centre barricaded by protest groups. Many of the protesters accuse federal authorities of targeting immigrant communities unfairly, describing the raids as aggressive and discriminatory.

Why ICE Raids Sparked the Outrage

The trigger for the unrest was a series of ICE raids that began early Friday. Officials described the operation as a focused effort to detain undocumented immigrants with outstanding deportation orders or known criminal records. However, numerous witnesses and advocacy groups allege that ICE agents went far beyond this remit, detaining individuals without clear cause and separating families in the process.

Social media videos appeared to show people being stopped in car parks, outside schools, and in residential neighbourhoods. Advocacy groups claim the tactics used were deliberately designed to intimidate and destabilise communities.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced plans to challenge the legality of the raids, calling them "unconstitutional and deeply unethical."

Police officers in black uniforms and helmets stand alert on a city street. Graffiti decorates a wall in the background. Tense atmosphere.

A Divided Political Response

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a defiant stance, condemning the federal deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles without his consent.

"This action is unlawful. It undermines our state’s authority and further escalates an already volatile situation," he said on Sunday. Newsom has requested the immediate withdrawal of federal forces and is preparing legal action to challenge the decision.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass voiced similar concerns, stating that the city’s own police force was

"fully capable of handling any necessary public safety response"

without military intervention.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the federal government insists that its actions are both lawful and necessary. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the deployment is intended to protect federal buildings and personnel from what he described as "violent insurrectionist mobs."

Former President Donald Trump praised the move, declaring that

"Only strong action can restore order when radical left agitators try to control our streets."

The political divide over the events in Los Angeles reflects deeper national disagreements over immigration policy, protest rights, and the extent of federal power.

What is ICE and What Does it Do?

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, is a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security. It was created in 2003 following the 9/11 attacks, with a broad mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect the country from cross-border threats.

ICE operates two main branches: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which focuses on transnational crime, and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which handles the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

While the agency argues that it plays a critical role in maintaining law and order, it has long drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who accuse it of using overly aggressive tactics and targeting vulnerable communities. The debate over ICE’s powers and accountability remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics today.

What Happens Next?

The situation in Los Angeles remains tense. National Guard troops continue to patrol key locations, with an additional 500 Marines reportedly on standby at Camp Pendleton in case of further escalation.

Legal battles are now brewing in both federal and state courts, and protests are expected to continue throughout the week. As the city braces for further demonstrations, attention turns to whether the situation will stabilise or deepen the rift between state and federal authorities.