I was reading Simple Things magazine yesterday and in it there was an article all about Hygge. Finally I have a word to explain that feeling I love the most.
Hygge (pronounded hoo-gah) is a Danish word that has no direct translation. In its essence is means ‘the pursuit of happiness on an everyday level’. This sounds like mindfulness, and they share a lot of the same ideas, however Hygge is also associated with firelight, keeping cosy, nature, food and friends. Imagine if cosiness, contentment and togetherness was a word.
After further research, it appears Hygge stems from the changeable Danish climate; combine this with the fact they have as little as 7 hours of daylight in the winter months and its easy to see why. The Danes are the happiest people on the planet despite all this and some say the reason is simply Hygge.
The notion of Hygge is growing in popularity outside Denmark and is definitely becoming an autumnal buzzword, search the hashtag Hygge on instagram and pinterest and you will see.
Hyyge is in essence about lighting candles or log fires; communing together with friends and loved ones; enjoying good food; curling up under chunky knits; sipping hot drinks; bringing a bit of nature inside; reading a book in a comfy chair and mindfulness activities such as knitting or colouring.
It is also about looking for happiness in these small things, enjoying the now, being present and not holding out enjoyment for dates further along in the calendar.
9 ways to bring some Hygge into your life
Get back to nature.
Get back to nature and go for an autumnal walk, collect leaves, garlands and pinecones to decorate your home. After your walk snuggle down by the fire and warm yourself with some delicious soup.
Bring the outside in.
Adorn your home with seasonal and natural decorations from your walks. Ornaments and trinkets with echoes of the natural world such a plants, animals and insects are really in vogue at the moment and remind you of the wonders of nature even when its pissing it down and blowing a gale.
Eat well.
Think seasonal vegetables in warming soups and stews from the slowcooker, fresh baked pastries and proper coffee. Handpicked blackberry crumble and made-from-scratch vanilla custard.
Socialise.
Spend time with friends and family. Light the fire, draw the curtains, uncork the red wine and spend an evening playing board games. Its all about creating intimacy.
Let in the light.
With nights drawing in what a great way to save on the electric by filling your home with flickering candlight. If you don’t like the idea of unattended flames then use battery operated faux candles!
Snuggle.
Don’t crank up the heating, put on some slipper socks and your flannel pyjamas and snuggle under a fur throw of crocheted blanket. There is nothing cosier. Dog optional.
Bath.
I bath almost daily, especially in winter. I leave my phone outside the door, light a candle and fill the bath with a Lush bubble bar. It’s a way of keeping warm, relaxing my body and reading a book undisturbed.
Be mindful.
Find something that will keep you mindful. paint, crochet, puzzles this is all proven to be good for your brain and also your well being which is the basis of achieving Hygge.
Be grateful.
Count your blessings. Keep a gratitude diary. Repeat the phrase ‘I am lucky’ daily. Thank the universe for everything you have.
What do you do to achieve Hygge in your life?
le Petit Chou 
Lovely post! It seems I achieve Hygge in a lot of ways without even trying. There’s nothing I love more than snuggling up in front of the fire with a glass of red and a bit of hooky. In fact, I’m off to do just that now 😉 X
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Sounds perfect!
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I feel cosy just reading this! We do all the above once the longer nights draw in and they’re some of the reasons that I love the Winter.
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