Hygge is the Danish concept of comfort and well-being. It focuses on slow living, enjoying small pleasures, and creating a home that brings joy and peace to those who live there. Hygge is also about spending time with friends and family. This article will explore the importance of this concept in the daily life of a Dane and some tips on how you can incorporate it into your own life.
What is hygge?
In a nutshell, hygge is the Danish concept of creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying life’s good things with good people. It’s often described as the warmth of a fireplace on a cold day, the coziness of a blanket wrapped around you on a wintry night, or the comfort of a good book after a hard day’s work.
The heart of hygge is about enjoying simple pleasures with friends and family. Some say it’s a mood, some say it’s a feeling, some say it’s an attitude, and others say it’s just plain common sense. So, is hygge the perfect antidote to our hectic, stressful, hurried lives? Let’s find out.
The history of hygge
The Danish word hygge (pronounced “hoo-gae”) translates roughly to “coziness,” but it is much more than just that.
The term hygge didn’t originate in Danish but from an old Norwegian word, meaning something like “well-being.”
The earliest known written reference to hygge was from the 1800s when it was used to describe the “good life” enjoyed by the early Danish settlers who lived a simple lifestyle far removed from the stress and hassles of modern life. The Danes have embraced it ever since, and it’s now an important part of Danish culture.
The concept of hygge has gained considerable popularity in the U.S. in the last few years. With another Scandinavian concept of mysa also gaining popularity, it doesn’t seem like the love of hygge is going away anytime soon.
The benefits of hygge
Denmark ranks as the world’s happiest country, according to the 2016 World Happiness Report. According to Meik Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living, and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, the positive stat can be attributed to hygge.
Therefore, it appears that hygge reduces stress in the lives of many people. Other benefits could include a greater sense of community and a better social life among friends and family, as well as strengthening your work relationships.
Best of all, you don’t have to live in Denmark to enjoy these benefits because it seems that anyone can benefit from a little more hygge in their lives, regardless of where they live.
How to practice hygge in life
Now that we know more about the history and benefits of hygge, let’s talk about some ways you could add it to your daily life. Here are five ways to bring the spirit of hygge into your life.
Spend quality time with friends and family
Hygge is about spending time with the people you love. This means that you can practice hygge anywhere, even if it’s not your home. It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose or expensive. You can have a hygge dinner with your friends, or you can spend time with them at the park.
Make the most of every moment
We often get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to appreciate the simple pleasures of everyday life. Hygge is about enjoying life and living in the present moment. Try to pause for a moment and be aware of all the little things you can do to make life a little more enjoyable. Enjoy simple things like having a cup of tea, reading a book, watching TV, sitting on your deck, and smelling the flowers.
Reduce stress
Reducing stress is one of the essential principles of hygge. Spending time with your family and yourself can be difficult if you’re too busy. It’s also very easy to get caught up in things that don’t matter as much as what you want. Hygge can be brought into your life by prioritizing self-care and taking time for yourself. Consider adjusting your work-life balance as well.
Wear comfortable clothing
Hygge is about enjoying the moment, and there’s no reason to wear uncomfortable clothes. It isn’t about being overdressed or underdressed. Instead, find clothes that you feel comfortable in—that way, you can focus on enjoying the moment.
Be thankful for what you have
So often, we get caught up in the rat race of life that we forget to stop and be thankful for all the blessings we do have. So the final step in bringing hygge into your life is to be grateful for what you have. If you take the time to appreciate your surroundings and what surrounds you, then life will be much easier.
What are hygge moments?
Hygge moments are the perfect way to begin incorporating hygge into your life. These can be big or small, quick or long, but they all involve that warm and cozy feeling that this Scandinavian concept is all about. For example, it might be as simple as lighting a candle when preparing your dinner.
No matter how big or small, every Hygge moment should be an opportunity to slow down and relax a little bit. It’s these little moments that add up in the long term, making it easier for you to feel happier and more satisfied with life.
Examples of hygge activities
- Take a walk with your family and friends on a nice day, go to the park, or sit outside and enjoy nature.
- Eat simple food at home with loved ones—there’s no need for fancy restaurants when you can eat together in your kitchen.
- Play board games at home with family members or play cards with friends.
- Take some time to be alone and enjoy the quietness of your own home—you don’t need to go out for a walk, watch TV, or listen to music. Just sit quietly in front of the fireplace, open a book, or listen to some music.
You’ll need to experiment to find out what works best for you. For example, some people prefer quiet time alone while others enjoy activities like baking with family members. The best way to start hygge-ing up your life is simply adding more small, pleasurable moments to your day.
How to create the perfect hygge environment at home
To be able to embrace hygge, you need to create a good hygge environment. Your home should be a place where people feel welcome and want to spend time.
Are you ready to get started? Here are six ideas that you can try to create a Hygge home.
Candles
Candles are an essential part of a good hygge home. Firstly, they create a warm and cozy atmosphere in the room, which is perfect for relaxing. Secondly, they create a beautiful light that makes the room more attractive. Candles are just a great way to bring the hygge feeling into your home. You can also use scented candles that will make you feel refreshed and relaxed throughout the day, depending on which scent you’re using.
Decorate with the right lighting
You can create a hygge atmosphere by decorating your home with the proper lighting. The type of light you use is essential, as it can determine how comfortable and relaxing your room feels. Soft lighting comes from many sources, such as small table lamps, floor lamps, candles, and even the sun. One of the secrets of creating a great room is learning to use natural sunlight constructively.
Choose hygge-friendly materials
To create a cozy home, consider using materials such as wood, stone, or wool. These are naturally warm, inviting materials that you can incorporate into the decorating of your home. These also help to create a sense of balance in the house.
If you want to add even more warmth to your home, consider adding rugs made of wool, chenille, or another soft material. These types of rugs will help insulate your floors and add to the comfort of your home.
Bring the outdoors indoors with plants
There are many ways that you can bring the outside in. Plants are great for creating a hygge atmosphere in your home. Plants help make the room feel more welcoming and inviting, which is essential when you want to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Additionally, plants will help you feel surrounded by nature even though it might be cold outside.
Simplify your home with hygge decor
You need to make sure that you have a clutter-free house or not full of useless items. In addition, you should also keep in mind that hygge-style decor is all about comfort, so it’s essential to have a soft palette and warm colors. Calm, neutral tones work best for this decoration style because they will help relax your guests or yourself.
Add cozy blankets, candles, decorations, and hygge-friendly furniture to your home. As a result, your home will feel more comfortable and inviting.
Create a social space
Make sure that you create a space in your home where guests can gather and feel comfortable. This might be your living room, or it could also be your kitchen table. If you don’t have much space, you can also consider making an outdoor area where you can enjoy the weather with friends and family members when they come to visit.
Books about hygge
Meik Wiking has written a book about hygge, which is called The Little Book of Hygge. The book contains original research on hygge, conducted by Meik and his team, along with beautiful photographs, recipes, and ideas to help you add a touch of hygge to your life.
Another excellent read book is Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Marie Tourell Søderberg. Beautiful photographs and practical tips to make your home comfortable and happy, this book is a great way to incorporate hygge into your daily life.
Hygge quotes
Here are a few examples of Hygge quotes:
- “Live life today like there is no coffee tomorrow.” – Meik Wiking
- “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” – Annie Dillard
- “Hygge is all about appreciating the little things in life and being thankful for them.” – Sofie Pedersen
- “Hygge was never meant to be translate. It was meant to be felt.” – Maren Stakkestad
- “Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom.”
- – Meik Wiking
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Danish hygge mean?
The essence of hygge is to create a warm atmosphere and enjoy the good things in life with good people. It’s about enjoying the simple things in life.
Is hygge a lifestyle?
No, hygge is not a lifestyle; it’s the word that is used to describe the idea of living well and enjoying life with those we love and care about. When you experience hygge, you feel a sense of contentment.
Is hygge the same as coziness?
Yes and no. Denmark’s hygge refers to a sense of coziness that is more about good feelings and well-being. Similarly, the Germans call it gemütlichkeit, while the Dutch call it gezelligheid.
How do you experience hygge?
A hygge experience may include anything that you like to do to feel cozy or contented, such as having candles lit in the evening, spending time with friends and family, embracing your specialness by doing what you love to do best.
Why do people practice hygge?
Most people who practice hygge don’t do it for one specific reason. Instead, they do it because they want to make their lives more enjoyable and comfortable. For example, maybe they want to feel more “at home” in their environment. Perhaps they want to reduce their stress levels. Or, they may be looking for a way to connect more deeply with other people.
