Hygge is a comfort-based lifestyle that has become popular in recent years. There is a strong possibility that you have seen books or read news about this. But you may still not know exactly what you need to do to create this environment. Just read this article to learn what Hygge is, why the Danes love this style, and how you can apply it to your life and home.
What is Hygge?
To summarize very simply, we can say that feeling comfortable and happy and embracing the simple pleasures of life. Because hygge is a Danish word meaning 'comfort that creates a feeling of contentment or well-being' or 'a cozy festivity'. Basically, it refers to times when you are comfortable and feel good about it. Naturally, our place is mostly home. Soft slippers, a nice cup of tea or a good meal can make you experience this style because the important thing is not the occasions but the feelings. So much so that hygge is thought to be one of the reasons why Denmark ranks at the top of the World Happiness Report every year.
According to the BBC, hygge is a way to cope with the brutal winters of the north. Because in the worst part of the season, Denmark can be plunged into darkness for up to 17 hours a day, and the air temperature is usually around 0 degrees. So there's not much to do other than stay inside. This forces Danes to get creative with their indoor activities. The BBC says that hygge was born as a result of this search, a claim that is not unreasonable. Now, let's see how you can incorporate this warm style into your home and life...
Be with friends and family
In her book 'Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness', Marie Tourell Søderberg says that togetherness is an important aspect of hygge. Because being with the people you love the most is a great way to feel good. It doesn't matter what you do when you're together. A dinner party, a morning coffee, an afternoon tea or a late-night movie watching session; It's all possible, it's all beautiful.
Don't do too much work at the same time
Hygge is a style that is all about enjoyment, so the 'multitasking' skill that is so praised, especially in the business world, has no place here. If you have a habit of reaching for your phone to check your e-mails while watching a movie, turn off your phone first. Or, if you cannot focus on your conversation with your friend because you are thinking about cleaning up the kitchen, choose your friend. Just aim to enjoy your free time and never feel bad about it. Because that's one of the key parts of hygge's appeal.
Eliminate stress factors
Hygge is supposed to improve your sense of well-being, so anything that makes you feel stressed or sad is not allowed. According to Helen Russell, author of 'The Year of Living Danishly', the best definition of hygge is 'the absence of anything distracting or emotionally overwhelming'... In other words, how much of your stressors you eliminate during hygge time. The more you remove it (or at least temporarily minimize it), the happier you'll be.
Eat well
It is also possible to define the Hygge lifestyle as 'healthy hedonism'. And when we think of pleasure, it is completely normal that good food and drinks come to our mind. There is no guilt in Hygge, so before you start consuming these beautiful foods and drinks, you have to take precautions and prepare healthy options that do not compromise on taste. Alternative flours, sugars, grains and a variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits offered by nature are at your disposal for this purpose.
Dress comfortably
The most important promise of Hygge is constant comfort. But that doesn't mean you have to wear sloppy sweatpants all winter long. Be assured that a style in which you are wrapped from head to toe in hand knits, dressed in soft layers, and attach importance to handmade and traditional winter patterns will look stylish on its own.
Create a candle collection
“Hygge is not complete without candles,” writes Meik Wiking in 'The Little Book of Hygge'. When asked what they associate with hygge, 85 percent of Danes answered candles. This might be why the average Dane burns around 13 kilos of candles every year. Just as required by this style, turn to completely organic, natural candles; Especially stay away from varieties with overly artificial scents. Also, in general lighting, turn to yellow lights that mimic daylight, and say goodbye to white fluorescents if you still use them.
Bring nature home with plants
The Danes are unrivaled in their love of nature. They love to go for long walks even when it's cold outside. But even when this is difficult due to weather conditions or dark days, they do not remain idle, they bring nature indoors. This isn't too difficult to achieve with a few beautiful houseplants. Since it is a scientifically proven fact that gardening lowers blood pressure and increases endorphins, you have little excuse not to try it.
Light a fire or see if it's lit
When we think of 'comfort' in winter, most of us imagine sitting in an armchair where we can relax in front of a crackling fire. This is already a classic hygge painting. But of course, most of us do not have a fireplace at home. But that's okay. Project the image of a burning fireplace or any fire on your TV screen, turn up the sound, settle down on the couch, grab your hot drink and book, pull your knitted blanket over your knees; There, it is done!
Soften your home
So make your home more comfortable with soft textured fabrics and covers. You can do this quickly with rugs, tapestries and lots of small and large blankets thrown on armchairs and sofas or placed in sweet baskets. But remember that simplifying is actually a little more complicated. Before you start, do not forget to watch the videos that will guide you and examine the sample houses thoroughly.
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