Let’s Get Hygge With It!
Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish concept that describes that feeling you get when you’re sitting by the fire with your family, gazing at the Christmas tree, and drinking warm cups of hot cocoa.
There is no word in the English language that means the same thing as hygge, but if we could mash “coziness,” “warmth,” and “togetherness” into one word, it may come close. This concept describe the feeling of an atmosphere or an experience. Hygge is a feeling of home, of safety, and of comfort.
Hygge is central to Danish culture. As The Little Book of Hygge states, “what freedom is to Americans, thoroughness is to Germans, and the stiff upper lip is to the British, hygge is to Danes” (Wiking, 20). They talk about hygge often, and use it as both a verb and an adjective. You can compliment someone on their hyggeligt home, or wish someone a hyggeligt time. To the Danes, creating a hygge atmosphere is the gold standard of any gathering.
Main Ingredients of Hygge
Light
Whether it comes from a fireplace, a candle, or a lamp – the right lighting is essential to creating a hyggeligt environment. Denmark is quite dark for a lot of the year, so they rely on natural indoor lighting.
If you must go with a lamps, they should create soothing pools of light around the room. Lamps like the Danish-designed PH lamp, VP globe, and Le Klint are specifically designed to diffuse and soften light so it isn’t so harsh.
Food
There are a few main aspects of foods that can make them hygge. But overall, if hygge is about being comfortable, hyggeligt food is all about comfort food!
Sweets like cakes and pastries are treats you can give yourself, and a way to take a break from the demands of being healthy. You’re even likely to find cake in offices in Denmark, as they create a more casual atmosphere. If you want to understand just how important these foods are to the danes, think about the fact that “not every nationality gets a butter-infused dough with gooey cream in the middle named after them” (Wiking, 57). Ever munched on a Danish?
The hygge factor of foods also depends on their preparation. Foods that take a while to prepare or that are prepared together with friends are much more hygge than store bought foods. Slow-cooked stews and drinks that must be left to soak overnight (like mulled wine, limoncello, and sangria) are very hygge.
And finally, hot drinks are essential. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and mulled wine are the most popular in Denmark.
Warmth/comfort
Clothing is a key aspect of this. Woolen socks are a must, sweaters are everything, and layering is key, so add on a scarf for good measure!
Togetherness
According to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, “the best predictor of whether we are happy or not is our social relationships” (Wiking, 35). Maybe thats why Denmark has been ranked in the top 3 in the World Happiness Report ever since it came out – because they truly value togetherness!
In his book, Wiking describes spending time with others who you love and feel comfortable and relaxed around is like “a good hug, but without the physical contact” (Wiking, 39).
Equality
This is somewhat of a subcategory of togetherness, because the idea is that when people gather together, everyone is equal. No one is in charge, no one dominates the conversation, and everyone shares responsibilities. There should be no demonstrations of power or indications that someone is superior to another in a hygge atmosphere. And no one gets left out!
In America, it’s common for one person to be the host for all of their guests. This is not very hygge, because then the host feels stressed out as they do all the cooking and entertaining, while the guests can sit back and relax. It’s much more hygge for everyone to take part in the cooking, cleaning, and other responsibilities of the get-together.
A Few Things I Love About Hygge
It brings you into the present moment.
One thing I love about hygge is that is naturally slows people down and brings them into the present moment. It’s about being surrounded by loved ones and chatting away, without technology interfering. It’s about slowly preparing yourself the perfect cup of tea and sipping it mindfully. When you’re having a hyggeligt time, you are fully present.
It’s great for introverts.
Hygge is the ideal type of socialization for introverts (a.k.a. me) because it’s a way of being with others that isn’t draining. Introverts tend to derive energy from within themselves, while extroverts derive it from being around others. Introverts still like to be social, but not in large groups, loud settings, etc. Hygge socialization is great for introverts because “they can have a relaxing and cozy night with a couple of friends without having to include a lot of people and a lot of activity” (Wiking, 49). As an introvert, a movie night in our jammies drinking hot cocoa sounds pretty amazing to me!
It’s affordable.
You know that t-shirt or pair of sweatpants that’s covered in holes from wear? That ugly woolen hat your grandma kitted you? That sweatshirt from college that reminds you of the great memories you had there? Those are so very hygge. Hygge is not about having the newest or best of everything (which tends to be what we value in America). Hygge is about simplicity, modesty, and humility. As Wiking puts it, “the more bling, the less hygge” (138).
5 Simple Ways to Incorporate Hygge Into Your Life
- Create a hyggekrog! This is a small space or nook in your home where you can really get your hygge on. Find a little corner that you can fill with warm things like cushions, pillows, and blankets. Have a table or shelf nearby with candles, books, and maybe some photos of loved ones. Use this space to drink your morning coffee or tea, read, meditate, etc.
- Be more mindful while cooking and eating. Don’t just robotically prepare your meal and then scarf it down while watching TV or surfing the internet. Light some candles, put on some music and really focus on what you’re doing. Savor each and every precious bite of the meal you worked so hard to prepare.
- Bring hygge to the workplace! So maybe you can’t light a candle in your cubicle, or layer yourself in blankets in your office. But perhaps you could add some natural elements like plants, rocks, or seashells to your desk. Maybe you could slip off your heels and slip on some fuzzy socks when you’re going to be sitting behind your desk for awhile. And definitely make sure to keep some high quality chocolate in your desk drawer for when you need a little pick-me-up!
- Start some traditions. Having traditions with family and friends is a great way to ensure that you’ll have time to be together and enjoy shared moments. You can start yearly traditions, like an annual trip, monthly traditions, like a game night, or weekly traditions, like a pizza day! Some of my favorite traditions include an annual weekend to Lake Winnipesaukee with my 3 best friends from high school, getting hot chocolate and driving around to look at Christmas lights with my mom, and my family’s annual vacation to Cape Cod.
- Schedule some hygge get-togethers. Instead of going out to dinner, to a bar, or to the movies, plan a hygge night in! Make sure people dress comfortably, have everyone bring a yummy treat, and have a fun night engaging in conversation, perhaps playing a board game, and enjoying each other’s company.
If you like the concept of hygge, I hope you take some steps to incorporate it into your way of life! And as I write this post in December, it’s also the most hyggeligt time of the year! Christmas is super hygge because we spend so much time with family and friends in this season, are constantly munching on holiday treats, and doing anything we can to stay warm (layering up, sitting close to a fire, etc). I know I’ll be embracing hygge this holiday season, and I hope you do too!
Hygge Glossary:
Hygge – a warm, cozy, safe feeling
Hyggelig(t) – hygge-like
Hyggekrog – your hygge nook! That special little space in your home that immediately evoked hygge.
