Hygge: Everything you Need to Know about the Danish Lifestyle
It's all about comfort & the simple things in Life.
Do you ever wonder how the Danes live half of the year in the cold and dark but somehow, Denmark is consistently ranked as the happiest country in the world?
I don’t know about you, but the weather plays a huge part in my daily mood. I did move all the way from Northern France to Australia because I couldn’t stand the never ending grey skies!
This happiness could be down to Hygge, a Danish concept that involves creating a warm atmosphere, being in the moment and enjoying the simple pleasures in life with loved ones. The way I see it, it is a form of mindful living, a conscious journey to happiness that you can create with your home.
What I love about it? You don't need to spend big dollars to set it up!
As Meik Wiking points out in his book The Little Book of Hygge, “Hygge is about enjoying the simple pleasures in life and can be achieved on a shoestring budget.” Works for me!
Hygge is about creating an ambiance, an experience. It’s about how the space will make you feel more than what it will look like.
Get ready to get cozy: Here is everything you need to know about Hygge: the Danish Lifestyle
Credit: Mojo Candle Co
1. Light up Candles
"No recipe for hygge is complete without candles," Wiking says in the very first chapter of the book. Soothing to the eyes, choose a small that will help you relax, wether it reminds you of a childhood memory or a far away place your have travelled to.
Check out the Mojo Candles. They are made from recycled wine and beer bottles and have the most amazing fragrance option!
2. Put the Kettle on
Nothing says comfort and simple pleasure like a nice cup’o tea. I don’t believe this one needs much explaining, does it? It personally took me a while to enjoy tea but now, whenever I want something to feel good, I make tea. I have been making the switch to loose leaf to avoid plastic in tea bags! If you are like me, here are some are the most creative tea infusers to make tea time extra cute.
3. Snuggle up
There are two ways to feel snuggled up IMO. During the hotter months, I like a soft, lightweight blanket. In winter I love fleece, but you can also go for a weighted blanket or even an electric one!
The other way to snuggle up is with what you are wearing. You can get yourself a fluffy robe/night gown, I personally prefer a thin but long open robe, kind of like the Skims one. Let’s face it, the lounge collection looks super Hygge! Another option is a onesie. My boyfriend once bought a Unicorn onesie for a fancy dress party, and it has kept me cozy and warm on the coldest nights!
Credit: Mojo Candle Co
4. Connect with Mother Nature
Bring natural materials and elements into your home: plants, wood items etc. They will make you feel grounded and connected. Why not choosing a diffuser that has an earthy scent like sandalwood or freshwater? Like this beer bottle diffuser?
5. Single Task
We live in a world where we constantly feel we should be doing more, and it feels unnatural to just do nothing. How many of us scroll through their phone feed while waiting for the bus or in the toilet? Put away the dishes while we wait for the water to start boiling? Hygge is about being in the moment, and for that, we need to learn how to do one thing at a time and enjoy the experience. You are making coffee? Stay by the machine and listen to the sound of the coffee maker, enjoy the steam and the coffee smell that comes out of it. Do one thing at a time.
6. Mindfully Treat yourself
This one is about taking a break from the pressure we are under when it comes to food: Low carb, keto, vegan…Discipline is good and can change someone’s life ( I do intermittent fasting and eat low carb 75% of the week and it's been great for me). But let’s face it, we all love food, and we all love chocolate, cakes and carbs. Take the time and opportunity to enjoy those from time to time, indulge in that moment and realise you are “rewarding” yourself and practising self care, guilt free.
7. Make Time for Yourself
Be comfortable being by yourself, enjoy your me-time. I love my boyfriend deeply but am always a bit excited when he goes away for a day or two. I plan a nice meal that I love but he doesn’t (so I don’t often have it), I do mani-pedis and all sorts of masks while binge watching chick flicks. What do you do during your me-time?
8. Make Time for Others
The last most important part of Hygge is spending time with your loved ones. Make time for your family and friends and truly cherish the time spent together. Get Hygge together! Make some tea, put on a movie, snuggle up and enjoy each other’s company!
Hygge: Everything you need to know about the Danish Lifestyle
Ok now all I want to do is shut my laptop and head straight to my couch with a tea and watch the latest episode of the Bold Type!
This is basically all you need to know about Hygge: the Danish lifestyle! At least to get you started! There are a lot of great reads out there if you want to learn more about it, starting with any book from Meik Wiking.
Hygge is not encouraging you to become a lazy couch potato, it is promoting balance, comfort and helping you be present and find happiness in the simple things in life. You can also learn how to transform your home into a sanctuary, this previous blog post will teach you how to set up your home for maximum Hygge effect!
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If you decide to give it a go, keep in mind it’s not a “checklist” that you need to go through to achieve something, it is a philosophy, a lifestyle that your are implementing into your life, and unlike workouts or diets, the Hygge things that will improve your life are really easy and enjoyable!
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