Obviously, a global pandemic is a less than ideal situation, but while Mother Nature sends us all to our rooms to think things over, why not rediscover the cosiness and comfort of your homes, pets, and families. Now is the time to embrace Hygge.
Okay, so I get that it’s hardly Danish winter conditions in the Southern Hemisphere right now, but there are still many aspects of this beautiful way of living that we can integrate into our own lives at this precise moment in time.
READ: R&R: 10 Wonderful Things You Can Do To Ease Your Anxiety
The Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-gah”), which roughly translates to “cosiness” has been catapulted into all kinds of ‘trendy’ lists over the past few years, but it is so much more than a passing Insta-craze or marketing tool to get you to buy a $95 desginer blanket.
It’s a movement of love and simplicity.
So what exactly is Hygge?
Hygge is a warm and cozy behaviour that has been a key part of Danish culture since the early 1800s, when the word first appeared in the written language (it’s derived from a Norwegian word for “well-being”).
It’s is a way of living (usually during the winter, but let’s roll with it anyway) that only requires a small effort, so anyone can do it. You don’t need to have heaps of stuff, the latest on-style outfit or that expensive ‘Hygge smelling candle’ you saw in the shops’ last winter.
Hygge can be enjoyed on a shoestring budget. It’s about appreciating the simple pleasures in life; getting dressed in your comfiest clothes, the smell of your favourite oil, the taste of your favourite hot drink.
It’s about having time. About not being rushed off your feet 24/7, having to go here, there and everywhere. It helps you to embrace the ebb and flow of seasons, tides and, in our case right now, current events.
Hygge is all about comfort. It exists in the absence of stress and envokes feelings of happiness and relation. It can create a shift on perception and help you find a simpler, yet deeper, meaning of existence.
How can you bring Hygge into your home?
If you need some extra comfort in your life at the moment (and let’s face it, we probably all do), a little bit of Hygge goes a long way!
Now, I’m not trying to take away the fact this is a ridiculously crazy time for everyone, it is really tough. But while you cannot control what is going on outside, you can control how you navigate your way through this. Mental and physical health is key right now and this wonderful Danish philosophy can help.
So make yourself comfortable, dim the lights, have a chat with your house plants, read the books that have been sat on your shelf for the last three years or play a board game with your family.
Get the jigsaw puzzles from the back of your storage cupboard and give those another go. Burn incense. Sage the freaking house! Create a safe, happy and cosy space to “just be” in.
Be kind to yourself, give yourself permission to slow down and focus on what really matters. Videocall your friends and family. Have meaningful conversations and tell them you love them. Use this time to reconnect with yourself and the people you care about.
When it comes to food, the hygge way of eating is all about indulging mindfully. So enjoy that square of chocolate (or block, if you do it consciously!), prepare meals that are nourishing and melt away while drinking a good cup of tea.
You can embrace “Hygge”, by simply remember to appreciate the little things in life that bring joy.
How are you embracing Hygge and harnessing peace during these turbulent times?
We’d love to hear! Email us editor@karryon.com.au