What Is Hygge?

Pronounced "hue-gah", (isn't that so fun to say?) this Danish word means 'content' and 'cozy', and it's a routine game changer during the colder seasons. If you are looking for ways to enjoy sweater weather then look no further because it's time to hygge.

The point of hygge is not to achieve a surplus of happiness or excitement, but rather to enter a state of mind that allows you to be present, enjoy the little things in life, and appreciate those around you. The ability to enjoy small comforts in our everyday lives will not only calm our busy schedules but also calm our busy minds.

The History of Hygge

Hygge is not a recent discovery or practice, in fact, hygge can be traced back as far as the middle ages when a similar Old Norse word meant "protected from the outside world." Fast forward to the 21st Century and that Old Norse meaning isn't too far off from our modern translation. The common misconception I see with hygge is that it needs to be this over-the-top production of buying countless products, like expensive blankets and furniture that fit within this "perception" of what 'cozy' means. When in reality, hygge is relative to whatever you find brings you solace at the end of the day.

Hygge is meant to be an informal practice that holds a greater emphasis on spending quality time with those we love while being around things we love. Whatever that may mean to you, is the definition of hygge.

The Benefits of Hygge

Denmark, Norway, and Finland are consistently ranked as the happiest countries in the world by the World Happiness Report, and Danish citizens believe hygge is one of the reasons for it. There have been countless amounts of research done on the science behind the overall mental and physical benefits of incorporating the components of hygge into your life. While there is not a lot of research done on hygge as a whole, the components that go into hygge have lasting benefits on the human body and mind.

Some of these benefits include reduced anxiety/depression, lower blood pressure levels in premenopausal women, and more effective problem-solving skills.

If you are someone who struggles with seasonal depression, hygge can be an effective tool to combat side effects - Health Assured

Read Health Assured's full article on SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and hygge for more information on seasonal depression and ways to find help.

How To Hygge

When people ask me how they should hygge, I always start by posing a question right back to them.

"What do you think of when you hear the word 'cozy'?

No matter how many books or blog posts about hygge you read, you can only find comfort from things that actually bring you comfort. Hygge is not a one size fits all practice, which is why it revolves around open-ended principles like spending quality time with those you love and creating a relaxing environment around you. Whether that is achieved through candles all around your room, or by watching your favorite comfort movie, finding things that bring you peace is how you can hygge.

Ways that I personally practice hygge is by adding warmer toned lighting to my bedroom rather than bright white light bulbs, don't just take my word for it, there is a science to back me up on this claim that lighting can have a major effect on your mental well-being.

I also have my favorite scented candle lit, and soft textured blankets around me at all times. While these may seem like small or little things, they do create a relaxing atmosphere for me, which is the goal of hygge.

Seriously, Hygge Changed My Life

As silly as it may sound, hygge has helped me lower my stress and anxiety levels while also allowing me the comfort of having comfort in my day-to-day life. As a new young professional who just entered corporate America, I have found that my days feel very repetitive. Wake up, go to work, work, come home, go to bed, and then do it all over again. There was never time or room for enjoyment until the weekend hit. Then, something snapped in my brain. I was wasting 5 out of my 7 days a week by convincing myself I had no time when I scroll on my phone for hours and hours a night.

So, I chunked out an hour of my time at night that was not only phone-free but also included some of my favorite activities like writing and reading. I found myself resenting my job a lot less, and began to enjoy weekdays. Crazy!

American society is too fast-paced and leaves so many people feeling like they need to constantly be moving or they will fail. Perhaps this is why hygge is such a fascination to Americans and more and more people are adopting the cozy practice and changing the way they view their everyday schedules.

I encourage you all to start with three small things that bring you a sense of contentment. Consistently practicing them with an open mind will elevate your daily life, and you may even find yourself enjoying the crisp cool air and the changing of the seasons.

The colder months are too long to be spent in hatred over the temperature, it's time we start living our lives and loving it too.

How do you hygge? Share your methods of hygge on Instagram and tag The Scandi Sconnie to be featured in our "How You Hygge" series!

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