Hygge: the Art of Cozy
BY Alison Wiebe
Hygge living is more than just a cozy aesthetic, it’s an attitude towards life – and apparently the key to Danish happiness!
What is Hygge? Hygge, pronounced hoo-gah, is a Danish concept that encompasses feelings of coziness and contentment. It is a feeling of togetherness, of living in the moment, and taking pleasure in the simple things of life. According to the Happiness Research Institute Danes are among the happiest people in the world. The strong cultural practices of Hygge living are certainly a big part of why the Danes are just so happy.
While you can experience Hygge in every season, it is fall and winter that really seem made for Hygge. There are so many small and easy ways to bring this Danish custom into your own life. As we move from fall and into winter here are some simple tips to bring a little of the warmth and well-being of Hygge living into your homes and life!
Connect
Enjoying the quiet company of your friends and family is the perfect way to experience Hygge living.
Unplug: We are all guilty of spending way too much time on our phones and computers. Take the opportunity to unplug and turn off your devices every now and then. Enjoy the company of your family or friends without being distracted, or just enjoy the peace and quiet of a few moments away from everyday distractions.
Visit: Get together with friends and enjoy each other’s company. Invite your friends for dinner or meet for coffee and a walk. If you aren’t able to visit in person then try having a Zoom visit. In this time of Covid my parents and their friends have been having regular online Zoom visits complete with a glass of wine!
Nature
Spending time outside in nature has been shown to decrease stress and improve mental wellbeing.
Walking: The perfect Hygge activity! Take the opportunity to appreciate all that beautiful fall foliage and head out for a brisk autumn walk. And don’t forget to bundle up with cozy scarves, mitts, and a toque!
Winter sports: As winter comes there are plenty of outdoor sports that are perfect for Hygge. Enjoy the cold, snowy weather by skiing or snowshoeing. Grab a pair of skates for and hit your local ice rink or frozen pond. Or head out and find the perfect hill for sledding!
Home
Bring Hygge into your home and create a peaceful and cozy environment to recharge and relax.
Hyggekrog: Create a small corner or nook, also called a hyggekrog, in your house dedicated to Hygge living – close to a window if possible. Make sure you have a comfortable chair or sofa and add lots of pillows, throws, and blankets to snuggle up in!
The faux fur throw pictured in this post is from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.
Candles: One of the easiest and quintessential ways to add Hygge to your home. The warm, muted light and fragrance of a candle is the perfect way to quiet your mind and relax your body. Of course, nothing beats sitting in front of a crackling, real wood fireplace. But for urban dwellers, a candle will have to do!
Here are a couple of my favourite candle companies: Based in Vancouver, BC there is Brand and Iron (I love their Tobacco and Vanilla fragrance!); Spokane, Washington based Anchored Northwest is another favourite of mine (check out their Date Night fragrance!).
Indulge
Food and drink enjoyed alone or shared with loved ones is another great way to bring coziness into your life.
Warm Drinks: Sipping a hot beverage is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day. Enjoy a classic like rich homemade hot chocolate, or spice things up with a hot apple cider or mulled wine!
For the perfect hot tipple check out my Chestnut Hot Chocolate with boozy whipped cream or enjoy a soothing cup of Mulled Cranberry Port.
Seasonal Foods: Enjoy warm, seasonal food to nourish your body. Soups, stews, and chili are perfect for the cold days of winter. Spend the afternoon making comforting casseroles or long-simmering braises. My Winter Vegetable Pie is the ultimate comfort dish.
A bowl of my Autumn Harvest Bisque will warm you up after your winter walk while my Brie Pull-Apart Bread with Pear and Caramelized Onions is the perfect snack to enjoy with friends, a glass of wine, and a roaring fire!
Baking: Indulge your cravings for a sweet treat and pick up your favourite pastry – try my Homemade Croissants or Sally Lunn Buns. Or break out your mixer to whip up a batch of cookies (Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies) or brownies. And of course, there is little more Hygge than spending the afternoon baking homemade bread!
Satisfy your seasonal spice cravings with my Pumpkin Spice Cake.
More Hygge Tips
These are just a few simple ways to bring the simple pleasures of Hygge living into your daily life. For even more Hygge tips be sure to sign up for my newsletter!
