Living a ‘hygge’ lifestyle
Hygge
/ˈh(j)uːɡə,ˈhʊɡə/ Pronounced ‘Hoo-gah’
noun
a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
Hygge has been described as being called everything from “the art of creating intimacy,” to “cosiness of the soul,” and even, “cocoa by candlelight.” Some of the key ingredients are relaxation, indulgence, presence, and comfort. “The true essence of hygge is the pursuit of everyday happiness
Hygge is a practice used by the danish and is about focusing more on the small things that really matter, like taking time for ourselves, enjoying a hot chocolate by candle light, enjoying cosy nights in with a warm blanket, being kind to yourself - have that slice of cake. The concept is about spending quality time enjoying the good things in life.
Before we look at how you can live a more hygge lifestyle, let’s look at what isn’t a hygge lifestyle:
Staring at your phone all day. By looking at your phone constantly, your mind is always ‘on’.
Strict rules. Setting yourself unrealistic goals which cannot be met can be detrimental to your wellbeing.
Purchasing products just to be on-trend. At its heart, hygge is more about creating a certain atmosphere than things, so buying lots of expensive items is the opposite of hygge.
‘Hibernating’ as the nights close in. Although an aspect of hygge is to relax at home, it is important not to isolate yourself.
So how can you bring Hygge into your life?
Candles. Turn off the overhead lamp and light some candles, instantly creating a soothing atmosphere. Candles are simple to make at home! Click the link at the bottom of the page for a guide to making your own candles.
Fireplaces. What could be cosier than curling up by the fire for a warm night in?
Throw blankets. Whether a chunky knit, weighted blanket, or heated throw, having something soft to wrap around yourself is a must. As are oversized jumpers and thick socks (really, anything knitted), which also make things way more hygge. You don’t need knitting needles to become a pro-knitter! Click the link below for a step-by-step guide to knitting a chunky blanket… with your arms!
Homemade sweets, comfort food, and hot drinks. What you eat is also essential to creating those cosy vibes. Think about comfort and familiarity. As the weather turns colder, it is easy to slip into cooking ‘comforting’ meals which are often unhealthy. Why not try cooking the spiced chicken, spinach and sweet potato stew recipe below, warming yet healthy!
Click the links below for more activities that will help you live a more Hygge lifestyle!
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