“Why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge into your daily life?”
Imogen & Grandma enjoying a special moment.
What do you know about Hygge? It seems some of us may be practicing the Danish concept of creating cozy spaces in which to savor life’s pleasures, even without knowing. The word is derived from the term “hugga” meaning ‘to comfort’ or ‘to console’.
The word, Hygge is a noun that means “protected from the world”. It is traced back to Old Norse and means the psychological state of being cozy, safe and familiar. It is about embracing life’s small moments of beauty and wonder as they occur.
Hygge (pronounced “rîgue“, or “hu-ga“) is a Scandinavian word that reflects a concept that focuses primarily on positive energy and the comfort of a home. Being aware of living “the good life” and paying attention to small kindnesses, creating intimacy with ourselves, each other and our environment.
hyg·ge
/ˈho͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə
noun
- a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)
“Hygge is not an easy word for outsiders to pronounce – it sounds sort of like HYU-gah – and it’s even harder to translate. Hygge apparently has no direct analogue in English, and related words like ‘coziness,’ ‘togetherness,’ and ‘well-being’ only cover a fraction of its nebulous definition.” ~ McLendon
There is no English equivalent, but the mindset that comes closest is “Hug” . It is the practice of sustaining people through the long, chilly winters. This concept could basically be translated into coziness, although it is more than that. It is a philosophy of life that aims at our well-being, making our homes a safe haven. Now, I understand why people love to go to their cabin in the woods. It’s all about Hygge!
“ Hygge, then, can be defined as a deliberate slowing down of life’s rat race in order to appreciate small and simple gifts, and manifest it in every get-together in every home, bar, and church.” ~ Jim Walsh
I’ve recently had a couple of occasions to have dinner guests over for a meal and a visit. Unconsciously I was practicing Hygge. Cleaning the house, lighting the fire, putting on soft background music, making a fragrant, warm meal, setting out candles, appetizers and wine to create an atmosphere of welcome and comfort. Then gathering around our dining room table to eat, smile and regale each other with tales of past and present exploits provided the activity for such a space. We enjoyed the informal time gathering with family and friends to connect or reconnect. Actually, there is some hugging going on as well, especially at greeting and parting moments.
On Christmas Eve our children and grandchildren arrived with foods and gifts. We ate, enjoyed each other as we played games, told jokes and generally spent the time together in conviviality (I love that word! It means sociable, cordial, companionable, cheerful, lively, genial, affable, amiable and warm) They stayed several hours, which was so wonderful and such a blessing.
Did you ever notice the endorphin high you get after spending time with others over a good meal and conversation or a time of playing games with a group you know well? That endorphin high is the result for Hygge. With an increasingly accelerated society, there is a growing need to spend quality moments in our home and find the peace we need to face the next day.
On the other hand, spending time in your oasis by yourself is another way to Hygge. It is all about enjoying your space, doing what you most like to do at home. Cook, read a book, practice your hobby, drink hot tea in your grandmother’s cup or simply enjoy the silence by the fireplace. The ways of having fun at home and enjoying your time there are very important.
What are the ten rules of hygge?
Meik Wiking, the author of “The Little Book of Hygge:The Danish Way to Live Well“, (Jan. 28, 2020) shares ten principles of the Hygge Manifesto: Atmosphere, Presence, Pleasure, Equality, Gratitude, Harmony, Comfort, Truce, Togetherness and Shelter.
I must say that in the deep-freeze of winter (the temperature is -10 currently), It gives me pleasure, comfort and harmony to snuggle under that warm blanket our neighbor gifted us with, watch a movie and sip a warm mocha. Yes. I am grateful for this shelter. Sometimes I remove myself to my basement office, turn on the small heater for extra warmth and busy myself with all my favorite things. It is that feeling of secure, snugness that we seek when the weather threatens. The idea of a warm shelter gives us the peace and contentment of living securely.
On the other hand, The Farmer’s Almanac give us “rituals’ to help us attain Hygge in “10 Hygge Practices You Need in Your Life Right Now.”
Use the lighting, furniture and furnishings to create a warm, more relaxing space. Emphasis natural textures: wool, fur, fleece. Being comfortable with knit sweaters, leggings, soft fibers help achieve that cozy feeling. Soft background music might also add enjoyment to the space. Hygge provides the light and warmth that winter removes.
Connecting with nature is the number one way to sustain Hygge. Go for a walk in the woods, or bring nature indoors using fresh blooms, wild flowers, pinecones or seashells. Creating a (real wood) fire in the fireplace provides a sense of connection to the earth. Or light a few candles to provide that visual glow. I’ve noticed how renewing it is to work in my garden or dig in one of the several flower beds. The winter prohibits my outside digging. So, I enjoy trying to keep the plants I’ve brought indoors alive through the winter. They do provide the air exchange and visual comfort of nature.
Quality time with loved ones makes us happiest. A frequent bit of advice these days is to unplug and live in the moment. Read, paint, play games, share a conversation with those you love. Linger with loved ones as a way to savor these Hygge moments. Slow time down enough to revel in your good times and good fortune.
Simply incorporating a few of these practices into your life can be good for your health and a way to enjoy the winter. The desire of coziness is innate in humans and seems to come to the fore during the colder months when our time outdoors is more difficult. It is that primal instinct to come out of the cold (literally and figuratively).
Comfort, beauty, and internal and external warmth are the keys to a rich existence during these colder months. Hygge promotes the mindset of positive thinking; it provides a space and time for us to chill out, a meditative time to renew and the belief that “Life should be savored, not just survived.”
“Now that we have a name for it – get your hygge on.” ~Jim Walsh
Resources:
- 10 Hygge Practices You Need in Your Life Right Now by Natalie LaVolpe, Farmer’s Almanac, Jan 16, 2024. At: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-is-hygge#:~:text=Gather%20with%20friends%20and%20family,are%20all%20part%20of%20hygge.
“How to have a Hygge Winter” by Katherine Martinko (Oct. 11, 2018)
Hygge – love your home” 2020/01/28 at Cuddle
https://www.cuddle-home.com/blog/en/hygge-love-your-home/10#:~:text=Meik%20Wiking%2C%20author%20of%20%22The,Togetherness%20and%2C%20finally%2C%20Shelter.
“Our Hygge moment: How a Danish cultural concept can help cut through the dark Minnesota winter” By Jim Walsh (12/23/ 13) MinnPost at: https://www.minnpost.com/news/2013/12/our-hygge-moment-how-danish-cultural-concept-can-help-cut-through-dark-minnesot/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_9WX9faEiwMVj9DCBB2MPwV_EAAYASAAEgLsmvD_BwE
“The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” by Meik Wiking, Jan 2017, William Morrow & Company.
Danes on Hygge: You tube interview at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mk-oOXmMl0