As the runner up for UK Word of the Year (right after Brexit) in the Collins English Dictionary, the Danish concept of hygge can help you to bring an extra celebration and warmth into your winter and holiday season. Pronounced “hue-gah” (if you want to get fancy, make a “y” with your mouth and say the “u” through it), this uniquely Danish concept recognizes the importance of life’s small comforts and connections. These daily celebrations remind us to slow down and to bring the healthy practices of mindfulness and gratitude into our daily life, whether we are lighting a candle while enjoying our morning coffee, filling a bird feeder, or snuggling with a loved one under a cozy blanket. In a time of year that can quickly become hectic and materialistic, one of the beauties of hygge is its deliberately slower pace and emphasis on simple, affordable, or free comforts. Rather than focusing on things, hygge emphasizes the experience. Here are some of my favorite, hygge ways of celebrating this season.
Light a candle.
Whether you’re starting your day with a cup of tea or joining your family for a simple dinner, taking the time to light a candle provides a beautiful reminder to slow down in both your thoughts and your actions.
Exercise in the daylight.
The days are short, but we know that exposure to natural light during exercise will improve your mood and concentration. The Danes encourage embracing the cold with a walk or ski through the woods. You can also take advantage of lunch breaks to walk outdoors. At home, move your treadmill in front of a window or patio door so that you can enjoy the sunrise or sunset when your busy days require an efficient workout.
Get warm.
Take the time to put on warm slippers, wool socks, or a favorite scarf. Place your towels on a heating vent, in the dryer, or on a warming towel bar in your bathroom. Take the connection of hygge deeper by doing the same thing for your kids or spouse. These small comforts and connections turn daily drudgery into luxury.
Practice Yoga.
With its emphasis on mindfulness and deliberate action, yoga is a natural complement to hygge (especially by candlelight or in daylight). Treat yourself to natural, ecologically conscious props, such as Gaiam’s natural cork yoga block and our Merrithew yoga mat and strap, to help you ground and connect to your intention at every practice.
Read a real cookbook
. While on-line resources are convenient, there is something distinctly different about slowly reading through a cookbook. Take the time to turn pages, enjoy the pictures, and become inspired. Pick a seasonal recipe. Head out to a farmers market for ingredients and spend the evening cooking and eating with someone you love.
Make a real pot of tea
. Boil the water. Use a real teapot. Don’t forget to light a candle. Sip slowly and breathe.
As the concept of hygge moved into the spotlight this year, so, too, has the overall mental health of the Danish people. Despite short days and cold weather, the rates of depression in this country are among the lowest in the world. As the practices of mindfulness and gratitude are protective to our mental health, perhaps the integration of these practices into the daily life of Danish people contributes to their well-being by celebrating hygge and its associated social connections and comforts. During the darkest days of the year, hygge can inspire a slower pace, allowing the season of winter to become a time for renewal and a celebration of life’s simple comforts.
About the writer: Joli Guenther is a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and clinical social worker practicing in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Learn more about Joli.