It's a recurring theme in the game, that when you go to a new biome you are underpowered at first. Then you have to gather resources from that biome (while at a disadvantage the entire time) in order to make better stronger gear.

Whole game repeats that loop, over and over, with each biome. You just need to learn how to be careful when you make that transition. Play defensively for a while. Build mini-forts and safe areas to run back too. Be prepared to run like a chicken. At least you'll be a live chicken.

In one section of swamp, I built raised walkways all the way through the swamp, with nice lighted areas. I built mini-shacks directly on top of crypts, with portals inside. I fenced off the front of the crypts, and stairs leading down from the shacks.

When I was done, that swamp area was like disneyland. I turned that whole place into a resource machine. Crank the handle, out comes sausage skins from draugr, goo from the blobs, turnip seeds, leech blood, surtling cores, etc.