Danish Hygge! (pronounced Hoo-ga)

Given the cold days and limited daylight we experience during winter here in Canada, when I heard about the Danish tradition of Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), I wanted to learn more!

Hygge is described as surrounding yourself with calm and soothing things and plans – candles, warm cozy throws, fires burning in the fireplace, comforting hot chocolate, people that you like to chill with and food you enjoy.

So here I am, sitting with candles burning in my writing spot, with a cup of creamy tea (I put milk in it), on a cold February day, writing this blog post.  What could be more Hygge than that?!  Can I say: I am Hygging?

Apparently Hygge” is a feeling, action and way of being that is an integral part of everyday life in Denmark. It is one of the main reasons Danes are constantly voted as the happiest group of people in the world.

Denmark was ranked one of the top three happiest countries in the UN’s World Happiness Report:  UN World Happiness Report. They know it’s the little things that make a big difference to our sense of wellbeing.

According to Helen Russell, author of the book A Year of Living Danishly, “people spend time each day huddling inside, enjoying cake and tea or wine and cheese with friends and family”.

The idea is to relax and feel as at-home as possible, forgetting any of life’s ups and downs or any bad weather outside.  Comfort, relaxation, coziness and togetherness are at its core.

In Denmark, there is also no “guilt” associated with relaxing, chilling and indulging in cozy things every single day.   It is a daily way of life and a priority.

So I have done a little research on how to bring a little more Hygge into our lives here in Canada. Here is a top 10 “mash-up” of what I have found are the best descriptions (feel free to add any Hygge ideas that you have as well!):

1. Perfect is boring. Inviting friends over, doesn’t have to entail a huge spread. Grabbing a wooden board, topping it with cheese, some olives, some fresh bread, butter, and a glass of red wine… will do the trick wonderfully on a cold winter day.

2. Candles – Often the most inexpensive things can create the most coziness. Candles on the balcony, the patio, on the windowsills, in the fireplace, on the table, they instantly add warmth and serenity to any space.

3. Cozy food – Warm hot chocolate, a pot of tea and a simple home baked loaf cake.  A bottle of red wine, cheese, olives, bread. Or some comforting treats that you can nibble on as you get warm under a blanket.

4. People you like to hang out with – Hygge is all about togetherness. Together chatting, eating, drinking or even being together while doing separate things like reading, playing a game, having a nap, or doing NOTHING.

5. Linger. This is HARD for most people now a days.  No need to clear the plates the second you’re done eating, or your company is done eating; leave it all there messy.  Relax, unwind, eat a little more, chat, have some more vino and enjoy the moment.  Linger…………………………………………………

6. Enjoy what you have.  A Hygge home is the “greenest” to the owner. A sense of contentment is important.

7. Embrace who you are. Embrace that you are only human and deserve to take time out each day just to have a cuppa tea, read a chapter or two of a book, feel the sunlight on your face, stretch and relax. Pause and sit inside of yourself for a moment.  Let your spirit catch up to your body.

8. Leave any Drama at the Door – During the time you “hygge”, leave any drama in your life at the door and instead indulge in the coziness of the moment.

9. Take a Tech Break – while the candles are lit, get everyone to put their devices in another room.  Enjoy doing one thing at a time or doing nothing at all.

10. Keep it Simple – Hygge is about simplicity. Hygge has nothing to do with material possessions and instead focuses on happiness, indulging, connecting and enjoying the moment……………………………………………………….

So this winter, cozy up and savour your Hoo-ga……

 

Sources: BBC, Huffington Post, Décor 8, Danish Parenting, the Telegraph.