The Cozy Art of Hygge: How to Incorporate Danish Secrets to Happy Living in Your Everyday Life
“Hygge is about having less, enjoying more; the pleasure of simply being. It is generous and celebratory, a way to remember the importance of the simple act of living itself.”
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In today’s post, I want to share a practice with you that my family and I have been doing (and absolutely loving) for the past 4 years: hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). I know, it sounds funny and I’m going to have to say it multiple times in this episode, so bear with me because it’s so worth it! I learned about hygge a little over 4 years ago from a friend. We were sitting at the park with our newborn daughters, watching our older kids play on the playground and she asked me if I had read the book “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living” by Meik Wiking. Not only had I not read the book, but I had also never even heard of hygge. I’m sure my expression was one of complete confusion as I turned to her and said “What in the world is hygge?!” Being the researcher that I am, I immediately checked out every hygge book I could find at the library. I loved the concept so much that I slowly started incorporating more and more hygge into my family’s everyday lives. It didn’t take long before my kids started requesting hygge (sitting by the fire each evening with dimmed lights, soft music, and board games) and it has now become a Hackney family evening routine.
What is hygge?
There’s no direct English translation for hygge. It’s a Danish word that refers to a feeling of coziness and comfort. In the words of the Frozen: The Broadway Musical song, “Hygge means comfortable. Hygge means cozy. Hygge means sitting by the fire with your cheeks all rosy.” Typically, hygge is associated with the colder months of the year but is something that you can enjoy all year round. Hygge has been sweeping the self-care world by storm, but honestly, it’s been misconstrued and blown out of proportion. A quick google search will make it seem like you need to redecorate your home and buy hygge-specific gear before you can actually enjoy hygge. But that’s not true! At its core, hygge is all about creating a sense of comfort and contentment in your daily life. It's about finding joy in the simple things and savoring the present moment. And I know that each one of us could use a little more of that in our lives.
Some key aspects of hygge include:
1. Presence:
Hygge is all about being present in the moment and cherishing the company of our loved ones. It's about being mindful and aware of our surroundings and the people we are with.
2. Well-being:
Whether we're cooking a delicious meal, taking a relaxing bath, or reading a book curled up by the fire, a key aspect of hygge is relaxing and taking care of ourselves.
3. Connection:
Hygge is also about making connections, whether it's with family, friends, or even strangers. It's about building relationships, opening your home (even if it’s messy or imperfect) to others, and creating a sense of community and belonging.
4. Atmosphere:
Another aspect of hygge is creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Think candles, warm lighting, and cozy blankets. The atmosphere should be comfortable, relaxing, encouraging conversation and connection.
5. Simplicity:
Finally, a key aspect of Hygge is to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life such as a warm cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset; finding joy in the simple, everyday moments.
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Why hygge?
So, why should you consider incorporating more hygge into your life? Well, for starters, it’s fun! There is nothing I love more than incorporating as many aspects of hygge as possible on a cold, dark winter’s night. But, as you can imagine, being present, focusing on our well-being, connecting with loved ones, enjoying cozy atmospheres, and being grateful for the little things in life are good for you! In fact, research shows that Denmark, the home of hygge, consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world. According to the World Happiness Report, Denmark has been in the top three of the ranking since the report's inception in 2012. Some researchers attribute this to the Danish concept of hygge and the importance they place on well-being, community, and balance.
How can hygge help create a better work-life balance?
Hygge can help create a better work-life balance in several ways. By focusing on the present moment and finding joy in simple things, hygge encourages you to take a step back from the constant hustle and bustle of daily life and appreciate the small things; the things that matter most to you. A key aspect of work-life balance, as we’ve discussed here on the Elegant Balance podcast, is doing more of what matters most to you and eliminating the distractions of unimportant things. A life spent being present and appreciating the simple things in life will be richer and as a result, feel more balanced.
Second, hygge encourages self-care and taking the time to relax and recharge. I know self-care can be difficult for us busy moms, but intentionally practicing these aspects of hygge, you can ensure that you have the energy (a key resource) that you need to play all the roles you play (i.e., mom, wife, employee, friend, sister, daughter, etc.).
Third, hygge places importance on building deeper connections with others, which can also help with work-life balance. Social support is a key resource in managing work and family demands and in coping with stress. By taking the time to connect with loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors, you create a sense of community and belonging; a social support network you can fall back on.
Finally, Hygge encourages creating comfortable and inviting spaces. I’m a big fan of creating beautiful spaces to live our lives in. A neat, tidy, relaxing, welcoming space will help you to stay organized, be comfortable, and generally just enjoy life more when you’re in those spaces. This goes for both work and home!
How do I incorporate more hygge?
At work, incorporating hygge can be as simple as creating a comfortable and inviting workspace. You could do this by adding a cozy throw to your chair, placing a few plants on your desk, and bringing in personal touches such as photographs or other decorative items that make you feel at home. In my office, I have a space heater to keep it cozy and an electric candle (since I’m not allowed to light real ones in the office). This can make your workspace feel less sterile and more inviting, helping you to feel more relaxed and comfortable while you work.
Another way you could incorporate hygge at work is to take breaks throughout the day. You could take a short walk around the block, enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee, or even step away from the desk and read a chapter of your favorite book. The key is to give yourself the time and space to disconnect from work so that you are recharged and ready to go when you return.
As we’ve already discussed, building connections with others is a key aspect of hygge, and this is no different in the workplace. Take time to connect with your colleagues, whether it's through a quick chat over coffee or taking the time to get to know each other outside of work. Building stronger relationships with your colleagues can make the workday more enjoyable and help build up your social support network.
At home, incorporating hygge can be achieved by creating a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. This can be done by lighting candles, using soft lighting, and adding comfortable pillows and blankets to your living space. It doesn’t take anything special. You likely already have some cozy things sitting around your home. You just need to intentionally create a cozy space by bringing those things together. You could also prioritize self-care activities such as reading or taking a relaxing bath before bed. This can help to create a sense of calm and tranquility that can offset the stress and demands of the day.
Perhaps most importantly, hygge involves spending quality time with loved ones. Put down your phone, put away other distractions, and simply focus on the people around you. This can be something as simple as having a conversation, making a homemade meal together, or inviting your friends and neighbors over for a dinner party. Like I mentioned previously, in our home we do hygge each night. This involves dimming the lights until they are just right, turning on the fireplace, playing some soft jazz music, sipping a hot drink (such as tea, coffee, or mulled wine), and reading scripture together, talking about our days and just enjoying being cozy together.
I hope this episode has inspired you to incorporate more hygge into your daily life. I love hygge so much because it really embodies the elegant balance I’m always aiming for. It’s simple, effective, and beautiful. I encourage you to give it a try. Light a candle, make a cozy space, focus on self-care and connecting with loved ones, and see how it improves your well-being and gets you that much closer to the work-life balance you’re striving to create.
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We spend a great deal of time at work. Like Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.” I encourage you to look around your office and see what steps you can take to add simple luxuries to your workday because in the grand scheme of things, they will add up and lead to a luxurious life!