Easy Ways to “Hygge” at Home

Have you ever walked into a space that instantly made you feel warm, relaxed, and content? That’s the magic of “hygge” – the Danish philosophy of coziness, comfort, and simple pleasures.

Much more than just a design trend, hygge is about cultivating an atmosphere that soothes our souls and gives us a sense of safety and comfort, whether it’s through soft lighting, plush blankets, or meaningful moments with loved ones.

Wait…what is hygge?

Hygge (pronounced like hoo-gah) is a primarily Danish and Nordic concept that dates to nearly the middle ages, where a similar Norse word meant “protected from the outside world”. While hygge does not refer to any one specific thing, it can be understood to speak to comfort, peace and quiet, small pleasures, and good company in friends and family.

How does this connect to wellness?

One of the biggest points that hygge is able to make at home is that it encourages us to slooooow down. Which is easier said than done, I know!

But embracing hygge can lower our stress levels, improve our mood, and be a useful tool for those of us that have a bout of “productivity anxiety”. Doing nothing IS doing something, and embracing this philosophy is a great way to take care of ourselves in times of stress.

The intent of hygge is informal, which is also important to consider in our social wellness – we shouldn’t feel stressed to dress or entertain in a certain way, but to come as you are and enjoy spending time together. This rhetoric encourages us to be casual, easygoing, and focus on enjoying ourselves.

Different ways to hygge at home:

Now that we’ve explained the beautiful concept of hygge, let’s talk about the ways that we can employ it in our own lives and home. There is no right or wrong way to hygge but if you’re looking for inspiration, here are some ideas:

– Establishing comforting rituals: This could be your morning coffee in your favorite mug, or savoring a slow morning with a good book. Making time for these small rituals can help us embrace hygge through our routines, and encourages us to create more room for self care regularly.

– Finding the simple pleasures that you love: What do you love at home? Is it a favorite piece of furniture, a favorite meal, or a time of day? Make time to experience your simple pleasures more, or discover new ones.

– Creating a cozy atmosphere: Our homes are as comfortable as we perceive them, right? Curating our home atmosphere to be a little bit more cozy and peaceful can boost our wellbeing at home. Decorate! Play with lighting! Use those candles! Our environment plays a big role in our mentality, and these signals can help us relax and feel safe.

There is a pointed difference between a “house” and a “home”, right? Your home is your space to feel peaceful, comfortable, and safe. Hygge gives us the tools to find how we can enhance our home experience, and make the space into our perfect getaway from the busy and stressful world outside. Hygge reminds us to slow down and appreciate the simple things, and be content in our present.

So, how will you hygge?

If you’d like to learn more about home wellness, you can find more in the Home section of your Wellifize app.

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References + Sources

Image by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

Altman, Anna. 2016. “The Year of Hygge, the Danish Obsession with Getting Cozy.” The New Yorker. December 18, 2016.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-of-hygge-the-danish-obsession-with-getting-cozy.

Calm Staff. n.d. “How to Practice Hygge and Celebrate Life’s Simple Pleasures.” Calm Blog. Calm.
https://www.calm.com/blog/how-to-practice-hygge.

Piedmont Healthcare Staff. 2017. “How Being Cozy Is Good for Your Health | Piedmont Healthcare.” Piedmont.org. Piedmont Healthcare. 2017.
https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/being-cozy-is-good-for-your-health.

Thi, Norman, Rebecca. 2018. “What Is Hygge? Everything You Need to Know.” Scandinavia Standard. September 25, 2018.
https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/what-is-hygge/.