With the start of a new year, many of us start looking for ways to improve our lives. The fact that we survived and overcame so much in the past year is already a testament to our resilience. In this year in particular as winter draws on and we enter month 11 of COVID-19 living, we could all use a refresh on how to live well. If for no other purpose than to survive the colder months and spending SO MUCH time with our families.
When I start to look at what I want out of this coming year, I realize I’m not a person who believes in resolutions. I don’t believe that on January 1st if I decide then to do something how I have lived my entire life will change. For most women the new year usually means a diet. I have been trying for the past few months to rather than diet, to live a healthier lifestyle. Self-help books are also great, but they can’t replace trying to be mindful and setting your intention for everyday. Nothing you work towards is an easy fix to living your best life. It also doesn’t help when you are trying to have wellness in your life while also spending 24/7 with your husband and every waking moment with your children.
That is why when I heard about Hygge, I jumped on the bandwagon.
What is Hygge?
Hygge is a word for a mood of coziness and comfortability with feelings of wellness and contentment. Wikipedia says it has Danish/Norwegian origins, but I believe the concept is adopted through most Scandinavian countries who live much of their winter remotely and with only a few hours of daylight each day. You need something to keep you focused on living well.
This tiny word gained a lot of attention, more noticeably from 2016 onward when books started being produced about Hygge. It’s so popular in fact, it has its own hashtag on Instagram and the Broadway musical ‘Frozen’ has a ‘Hygge’ song explaining the now popular Danish phenomenon.
Loosely translated Hygge means taking pleasure from the simple, comfy things in your life. It means to be conscious and think about the things you do in the company of friends and family that will nurture your soul, mind and consciousness.
If you would like to find out more about the hygge lifestyle, check out the Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well for more details.
But what does Hygge really mean?
Hygge is a lifestyle choice. It is a conscious effort to slow down and get cozy with the ones you care most about. It’s not only spending time together. The Danish concept is to create an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and wellbeing through surrounding yourself with the things you love so you can create meaningful connections. It’s about being together with family (and hopefully one day soon again with friends) in a cozy atmosphere where your mindset is to be present in whatever you are doing.
For me it’s more meaningful as a means to survive. I live in Canada where winter can be harsh, cold and seem never-ending. For the first few months of every new year we are limited in what we can do outside and also limited in the number of daylight hours to enjoy being outside. As a person who loves to spend a lot of time in nature, that can play havoc on your mind. Add to that kids being home more and for this particular past year we already have spent so much time together, it helps to refocus and remind myself that my family are the people who mean the most to me. And hey hygge is also about self care… so it helps to remind myself that I need time to myself too. What can be more hygge than sending your kids outside to build a fort, putting on comfy socks curling up in front of a fire with a good book and a glass of wine? Moms – we DESERVE this!
If you still aren’t convinced you can check out all the online studies that show hygge can help reduce stress and anxiety. I think with the recent uneasiness of the coronavirus worldwide pandemic, we could all use some comfort and contentment being surrounded by our family at home.
Give Hygge a try. Try choosing to be content with where you are, what you are doing and who you are doing it with.
Need some ideas on how to Hygge? Check out these 10 tips to a Hygge lifestyle and winter wellness.
