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What is Hygge Philosophy?

Updated: Nov 21, 2022



The pursuit of happiness doesn’t come easy to anyone. Life can be hectic and with the current situation in the world, sometimes it can be hard to even take a breather. When worries swarm one’s mind with concerns about the future and regrets from the past, it’s near impossible to look forward to anything at all. However, it seems that the Danes have developed a philosophy that can help counter these exhausting patterns in one’s life. When in a pinch or feeling stressed, it’s time to go search for some much needed hygge.


But what is hygge? First of all, it isn’t just some randomly made up word. While it doesn’t have an exact and direct translation in English, Hygge (pronounced as “hoo-guh”) is a Danish word that refers to the quality of coziness and the comfortable warmth of conviviality. However, it’s not just about feeling cozy and comfortable, it is also about the overall feeling of contentment that comes from one’s own well being. Hygge entails an atmosphere that is familiar and comforting and it’s also about being able to spend well rested time with family and friends who are there to make one feel safe. It can also be about traditions that come with each season. The word is derived from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, which means “to comfort” or “to console” and is closely associated with the word “hug” in English.


Perhaps this hygge philosophy is the reason why Denmark has appeared consistently in the list of “Happiest Countries in the World”, ranking second behind Finland. The Danes’ attitude towards hygge stems from their historical background which has influenced their lifestyle and way of thinking hence their cozy way of living. With the shift to traditional views in regards to society, the Danish culture’s traditional values have increased such as the appreciation of family, being hospitable and generous, practicing neighborliness and civility, as well as focusing on community life which entails being involved in caring for one another. Through this, the Danes’ have developed a way to cherish the time they share with other people. This hygge philosophy has also influenced the way they approach work and relationships.


For the Danes, working together and looking out for one another is important as it means mutual care and involvement. Rather than receiving from others, it is much more important for them to give back as they feel that society should give back to its members even if they aren’t being asked to help at all. Thus, due to the Danes’ positive attitude towards life, a small trip or quick visit to the country is enough to catch some of this positive energy back. However, one doesn’t have to visit the country itself to be able to experience what Hygge feels like because it can be applied in one’s day to day life, even in small ways. Here are some tips to get on with the hygge philosophy and indulge in this cozy lifestyle.





Connect with others


While connecting with others through the internet is a great way to spend some time with them and catch up on many things, nothing beats being able to physically spend time with each other. Hanging out in a friend or close family member’s house is a great way to relax. Not only will it be a change of atmosphere and pace but also, having someone there to talk with and share a good laugh with can be very stress relieving. No need for any fancy plans especially on a Friday night as one can spend time with friends by having good simple food, a fun movie, and stories from everyday life.


Treat yourself


Sometimes it's the small victories in life that take a backseat with how hectic things tend to be, but it shouldn’t have to be that way. Even just finishing an important paper or a small household chore already warrants even a tiny act of kindness towards oneself. Treating oneself can mean eating one’s comfort food like ice cream or hot chocolate, or getting a short break. Aside from that, getting into skincare routines and other pampering techniques such as a massage or a haircut and even a change in hair color if possible will give not only the mind some hygge but the body as well.


Reflect


Life is a constant moving stream but one doesn’t have to always be pressured in keeping up with it. One of hygge’s important elements is being able to recharge spiritually which means to take a pause and get some rest before one’s energy is fully depleted. This can be done by waking up early in the morning to go for a walk or a jog and appreciating the sunrise and the start of a new day. Waking up 10 minutes before the alarm goes off for some needed breathing exercises is also a good way to prepare the mind. Additionally, finding a quiet place where one can gather their thoughts and reflect can help them become more aware of their state of mind and how the things in their life affect them which will give them an idea of how to approach these things in a more calmer perspective.


Cooking and eating good food


Cooking for oneself can be in itself very therapeutic and the same goes when preparing food for others too. Since hygge is about spending quality time either alone or with other people, food is a good way to bond with oneself or with others. Filling up an empty stomach with delicious food can be comforting. Meanwhile, sharing a homemade meal with other people is another great method of spending time with each other and makes the meal even better with good company.


Partake in relaxing activities and enjoy life


Comfort can be found even in the smallest and simplest of activities. Relaxing activities can vary from person to person, however if they are reading a book as a means of unwinding then definitely make time for activities like that. Other activities include but are not limited to: spending time with a pet by playing with them, enjoying a good conversation with others and taking photographs to capture memorable moments is also a great way to not only connect with others but with the world as well.




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