With the onset of a cold October this autumn, we are slowly approaching the festive season. On the not so bright side, the continued Covid-19 spikes could mean spending this winter in lockdown. While reading news on Covid 19, Denmark popped up as one of the countries that have weathered the Covid-19 pandemic with a relatively low rate of infection and death. While looking deeper into it, I came across a very interesting fact that their “hygge lifestyle”, an integral part of Danish cultural identity, has greatly benefitted them in managing the pandemic.

Mike Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen wrote a book called “The Little Book of Hygge”.

After years of studying the Danish people’s habits, Mike explains that it is hygge that makes the Danes some of the happiest people in the world, despite the cold and dark winters.

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When it comes to measuring happiness and the world happiness index, they have consistently ranked in the top 3 happiest counties in the world.

Hygge encompasses a lifestyle that revolves around the idea of attaining contentment through the enjoyment of the simple things in life. 

The hygge lifestyle can be as simple as staying in their warm cozy homes and enjoying “hyggelige moments” – the simple things that life has to offer, such as sharing comfort food with family.

Furthermore, winter in Denmark can come with up to 17 hours of darkness. Given that most of these days are spent in darkness, this can be hard to bear for many.  That paired with spending prolonged periods at home can cause anxiety and depression.

Living in lockdown this year has felt very similar to a Danish winter. Looking back at this lengthy period hardly brings back good memories, and many are likely feeling depression, anxiety and stress. While this past winter Covid-19 caught us unprepared, the anxiety and stress that came from a financial burden pushed many to the brink of despair.

However, we’ve had the time to reflect and adjust our lifestyles to suit the new normal.

Related Reads:

How To Stay Motivated In The Post Pandemic Future

The New Normal: Getting Life In Order After Lockdown

Considering that there are many similarities between Denmark’s cold season and the Covid-19 lockdown, there are quite a few happiness habits we can adopt from the Danes to help us weather another winter lockdown.

Since most of their time is spent indoors, in order to maintain positivity, the Danes had to create an environment that stimulates happiness indoors. That is how “hygge” was born.

This winter we can do some things differently, by consciously choosing to relax, enjoy, and care about ourselves from the coziness of our homes. I believe there is no better way to achieve this than by introducing hygge, the Danish concept of happiness into our lives to beat the quarantine blues.

What Exactly Is Hygge Lifestyle?

Pronounced “Hoo-ga”, Hygge is a lifestyle concept that loosely translates as a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. It is the pursuit of everyday happiness by finding enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life.

Hygge can be associated with variety of things as long as this sentiment is present. 

It is creating cozy atmosphere at home by introducing bright colors, candles, lights and blankets;

Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and reading a book while cuddled up on a cozy nook during the crispy dark mornings;

Hygge can be as simple as spending quality time with friends and family.

By indulging in coziness at home and enjoying comfort food with people you care about, you consciously choose to give yourself a break from the demands of everyday life as well as the stress that comes with it.

Though hygge originated out of the need to make the cold and dark Danish winters slightly more bearable, it can be practiced by people from by anyone all year round.

Hygge is all about being present in the moment and practicing mindfulness.  It is a holistic way of living that engages our senses deeply and makes everyday moments more enjoyable.

Simple Ways to Add Hygge to Your Lifestyle to Beat the Quarantine Blues

Slow Down. No Multitasking. Be Grateful

Hygge is about being present in the moment and enjoying it. That’s all it matters. It is the absence of all pretense and worry. Forget about your worries, work, and tasks you haven’t completed. Minimize distractions such as checking email, social media, and try to enjoy life even just for a moment.

Take time to appreciate the good things in your life. Hygge is about expressing gratitude. So taking a moment to reflect and write a gratitude journal is a great place to start practicing hygge.

Cozy Up Your Home by Creating a Hyggelig Environment 

We spend most of our time at home, so making it more comfortable is an essential part of the hygge lifestyle. The hygge home décor style is a very distinct one. Encompassing the Danish way of life, it creates a simple, peaceful space free of clutter.

It borders mainly around warm textures: cream, brown and light gray tones.

The main idea behind the hygge décor is to create a cozy living space that would help us feel less anxious and promote a sense of emotional well-being.

Make your home more inviting by decorating it with neutral tone objects: rugs, pillows, soft fluffy blankets, etc. Add candles, lamps or twinkle lights rather than using bright, fluorescent lights.

The Hygge Nook: Your Escape Through the Day

Hygge doesn’t require you to remodel the whole home and can be done even on a shoestring budget. You can simply choose the corner of a sofa, a comfy chair or the window seat of your room and transform it into a cozy hygge nook. Make it comfy by putting some soft throw blankets, cushions, lamps, and flickering lights. Curl up and enjoy your favorite book with a cup of hot chocolate.

Bring Greenery Indoors

The Danes are nature-loving people. Regardless of whether you have a garden or not, you can recreate natural scenery by bring green plants or artificial ones to your home. Ferns, spider plants, potted moss, weeping figs and snake plants are a great choice.

Wear Comfy Clothing

To feel the most hyggelig during the winter, it’s recommended that you get your favorite socks, woolen socks, sweaters, and leggings. Do not feel ashamed for getting into your worn-out loungewear, as long as you wear clothes that make you feel comfortable, but you wouldn’t wear them outside. If you still keep your grandma-knitted sweater, that is the hygge lifestyle.

Comfort Food: Indulge Your Guilty Pleasures

Most people strive to eat healthy and maintain weight, though there are times when this creates added stress in our lives. Sometimes we feel the need to unwind and indulge our favorite eats, without feeling guilty about it.

It’s been a stressful year.  While we wouldn’t encourage you to overdo it, adopting a hygge lifestyle means occasionally enjoying the foods that are “bad for you”.   As the philosophy goes, “You only get one life.” 

Hygge takes that thought and says “So you better enjoy some things once in a while.” 

Candy, cakes, pastries, and all manner of savory, indulgent comfort foods are fair game so long as you’re taking care of yourself otherwise.

Related Reads:

Mushroom Soup Recipe With Truffle Zest: Best Winter Comfort Food

Buttered Beere: A Warm Winter Drink to Keep You Cozy

Take up a Hobby

 We could all use a little more hygge in these fear-filled days, and there’s nothing more hygge than a good old-fashioned hobby. 

There’s some art or craft that you’ve always wanted to do, or that you always did. It’s likely you didn’t have much time for it when you were frantically running about managing life and occupation.  Like it or not, you have time to pick it up.

Also, hobbies encourage hygge and are an important part of the hygge lifestyle.

Now during the pandemic, there’s nothing more hygge than a good old-fashioned hobby. Be it knitting, baking, gardening, making clothes, or painting décor for the house. Now is perfect to indulge your creativity and rekindle your fascination with your hobbies.

Check my post on 10 New Hobbies to Try from Home During Pandemic

Relaxing Activities: Play Board Games

Hygge is all about bringing people together. Playing board games helps to encourage friends and family to share their stories and bond over discussions of the big and small things in life. That is a great way to bring hygge to your life.

Alternatively, the book suggests Netflix and chill. Cuddling up with loved ones on a soft sofa while watching a movie and sharing a bowl of popcorn is very hygge.  Also, it is a great way to spend quality time with people you care and unplug from social media.

Hygge Lifestyle: Final Word

The good thing about the hygge lifestyle is that it is simple and affordable even if you are on a shoestring budget. Hygge is not about the things we buy. Rather it’s striving to feel the hygge in your life.

Even though hygge seems simple, it doesn’t mean you have to part your favorite things. 

Despite the fact that it originated out of the need for Danish people to keep positive during long and dark winters, hygge can be practiced throughout all seasons.

Read Next:

How to Make Your Home Feel Cozier This Winter With Hygge Décor

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