You may have heard the word “hygge” (pronounced hoo-guh) at some point in a magazine article, blog post, or in one of the many Hygge books written in the past several years.
Hygge even made the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year shortlist in 2016. But Hygge is far more than a trend. This five-letter word signifies an entire way of life for people in Denmark.
Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash
The closest English translation is “cozy.”
I was inspired to write this post by the people in my life who appreciate Hygge’s concepts. I myself enjoy a cozy lifestyle and am almost constantly brainstorming ways to maximize coziness.
If there is a secret to creating a cozy lifestyle, I want to know about it. And I want to share it with this community!
Part of living your best life is creating your dream lifestyle. And my blog is a guide to help you do that. So here are actionable tips on how you can use Hygge to create a cozy lifestyle.
What is Hygge?
The best way to understand Hygge is to learn from Hygge experts themselves.
Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge describes Hygge using the following statements:
“Hygge is about being consciously cozy.”
“[Hygge is] The art of creating a nice atmosphere.”
“It’s been called the pursuit of everyday happiness.”
“It’s been called socializing for introverts.”
“It’s about being together with the people you love. It’s about relaxation. It’s about indulgence. “It’s about good food. It’s about gratitude. It’s about equality.”
Wiking says Hygge is part of Danish culture. It is not a lifestyle trend or self-help.
British journalist and author of The Year of Living Danishly, Hellen Russel, defines Hygge as
“taking pleasure in the presence of gentle, soothing things.”
Louisa Thomsen Brits, author of The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection, says Hygge is
“a practical way of creating sanctuary in the middle of very real life.”
Don’t those sentences just make you feel warm and happy?
It is worth noting that Denmark consistently ranks as one of the world’s happiest countries! This is based on the UN’s World Happiness Report, an international poll that asks citizens to report their well-being.
How to add Hygge elements to your life
Soft lighting
Opt for soft lighting over harsh, fluorescent lighting whenever you can. Lately, I have been turning on a few small lamps to light my living room in the evenings. I prefer this lighting much more than keeping on the bright overhead light.
Candles
Candles are perhaps the best, dare I say the most-hygge, light-source.
Fireplace
While I do not have a fireplace, I do enjoy the fireplace YouTube videos. But if you have a real fireplace, that is even better!
String Lights
While I don’t currently have string lights up in my room, these are so pretty and a great way to add more Hygge details to your space.
Comfy clothes
Keeping your body warm and cozy is just as important as making your surroundings warm and cozy. Your coziest sweater and scarf make the perfect Hygge uniform.
Connect with loved ones
While it is fun to do cozy activities on your own, part of Hygge is also about embracing coziness while spending quality time with friends and family.
Hygge Activities to do with Friends and Family
Movie Nights
Craft Nights
Board game nights
Dinner Parties
Photo by Valeria Boltneva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-ceramic-bowl-with-brown-soup-724667/
Enjoy Comforting Foods
Good news foodies! Warm, comforting, slow foods, like stews and soups, are a big part of the Hygge lifestyle.
“Comfort foods” get a bad reputation, but there is nothing wrong with mindfully enjoying your favorite foods, either on your own or in a group with others! Enjoying food is part of the human experience.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
Drink Warm Beverages
Enjoying a warm drink Is an excellent way to get yourself feeling cozy from the inside out. Prepare your favorite warm beverage such as a cup of tea, coffee, or even warm apple cider and serve it in your favorite mug. Then sit back and enjoy.
Photo by Katie Azi on Unsplash
Read
What could be cozier than cuddling up with a blanket, a cup of tea, a candle, and a good book?
Do you identify as a former active reader who now struggles to pick up a book? Check out this blog post on How to Fall (Back) in Love with Reading!
Appreciate the Little Things
Hygge emphasizes the importance of appreciating the little things in life. Finding those little moments of daily joy, like feeling the sun on your skin or lighting your favorite candle creates the foundation of a joyful life.
I hope you enjoyed this article explaining what the Danish concept of Hygge means and how you can embrace Hygge’s elements to add more coziness to your lifestyle. Let me know in a comment how you plan to incorporate Hygge into your life!
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Featured Image: Photo by Stella Rose on Unsplash
Life by Julia 
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