Ladies and gentlemen, we’re officially entering the darkest, coldest time of the year. Fall is here, winter is upon us, and summer has faded off into the distance like a long distant memory. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and the weather grows more and more inhospitable with each and every passing day.
In times like these it’s natural to feel a smidge out of sorts and a tad overwhelmed with everything we have on our plates. The holiday season is just around the corner, and despite the additional hours we so desperately need in order to accomplish everything on our growing to-do lists, the less and less time it seems we actually have. Life this season is increasingly stressful and often even exhausting, and yet we need to cut through the noise, repurpose the challenge, and embrace the seemingly endless black night.
In other words, we need to find our inner hygge.
Hygge (pronounced “hyoo-guh”) hails from Danish culture and embodies a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that kindles feelings of contentment and well-being. The term comes from an Old Norse word “hugga,” which means to comfort or console. This is also related to the English word “hug,” a sentiment that echoes the spirit with which hygge is used today. At its core hygge is all about warmth, comfort, and closeness – all the feelings embodied in a hug. But in Denmark, hygge is not just a word or an embrace: It’s a central part of the culture.
When translated to English, hygge most closely parallels our description of “coziness,” but it is so much more than that. Hygge is companionship. It’s wholesomeness. It’s contentment. Hygge is the infinite pieces that comprise one harmonious whole. Indeed, hygge is not a feeling so much as it is a mood, spirit, and life-giving way of being.
Notably, Meik Wiking (of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen) writes in his New York Times Bestseller The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well that the idea of hygge is as fundamental to Danes as freedom is to Americans. He also posits that hygge is one of the reasons happiness economists consistently rate Denmark as the happiest country in the world despite its consistently damp, chilly climate.
So, what’s the secret? What makes hygge so impactful? And how might we embrace it so as to reap its many benefits?
Hygge can mean a lot of different things, but its myriad definitions typically share the following five characteristics: Comfort, companionship, relaxation, connection to nature, and simplicity. Hygge can look like lighting candles and snuggling up with a blanket and a good book, but it can also be taking a long, meandering walk through the woods without the pressures of time or agenda.
Anything that makes you feel calm, connected, warm, and whole?
That’s hygge.
As these short days turn into long, dark nights I’m intentionally prioritizing ways to find hygge and bring a little more comfort, joy, and serenity into my everyday life. And while there’s no recipe or formula for this, I’m happy to share what’s working for me with the hope that it might inspire you to discover what works best for you.
1.Decorate for the season: I’m a little slow to the party this year, but I recently transitioned a few of my décor items from summer to fall, and it has surprisingly made a world of difference in redefining my space. Sometimes we underestimate the importance of our surroundings and the extent to which our immediate environment impacts us, and yet often little tweaks play a critical role in setting the mood and creating greater feelings of warmth and comfort. Little did I know that swapping out some long-standing decorations for a few pumpkins and seasonal favorites would make me feel more cozy, settled, and happy, but I’m here for it.
2.Get lost outside: As I shared in last week’s post, life moves quickly, and we can’t slow down time. However, we can slow ourselves down every once in a while and reflect on all the beautiful things that bring us joy and fill our cups. For me, immersing myself in nature is a huge part of that, and I find calm in stepping outside my front door and losing myself in the brilliant splendor of the world around me.
3. Indulge in a fun autumnal drink: This time of year many of us are drawn to hot cocoa and pumpkin spice lattes, but I typically like to dabble in something a little more adventurous and unexpected and am a huge proponent of trying new cocktail recipes that complement the season. This Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita from Half Baked Harvest is particularly delightful. With mezcal, apple, cinnamon, rosemary, and lime its crisp, slightly burnt, subtly sweet flavor makes me feel like I’m sipping a bonfire in all the best ways. I highly recommend checking it out.
4. Light all the candles: I’ve recently become a lover of all things light, bright, and candle-y. And, while I embrace candles at all points throughout the year, I find them particularly alluring throughout the darker, colder months. Currently I’m enjoying this wooded sage candle from Target. With notes of Cyprus, olive leaf, rosewood, and charcoal, it can’t be beat. But honestly anything that smells like nature is my jam.
5. Embrace the snuggles: It’s no secret that hugs makes us feel warm, connected, and loved. The science is real, and oxytocin plays a significant role in our overall happiness. So, whether it’s cuddling up with a cozy blanket, snuggling with your sweetheart, or cuddling in close to your dog, embrace the desire to be close and hug it out. After all it’s good for the soul.
Keep in mind, there’s no one way to hygge. Hygge encompasses a plurality of emotions, moods, and feelings, and it looks different for each of us based on our preferences and values. And yet, regardless of the specifics we can all benefit from unplugging more frequently and grounding ourselves in more warmth and connection. Irrespective of your particular style or preference, I encourage you to find what works best for you – what makes you feel most relaxed, connected, and whole – and embrace it to its fullest. Try something new, find your hygge, and practice the heck out of it.
It’s your best hope for surviving the cold months ahead, and it might just make you a little happier in the process.
Comments are closed.