What is it about Hygge that makes us feel so good?
Hygge defined:
A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture) - Oxford dictionary
In the past couple years, Hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) has gained worldwide popularity. The Danish concept has been celebrated in The New Yorker, National Geographic, Time & Vogue - to name a few. Though some sceptics think it's nothing but a trend, Hygge has been an integral part of Danish culture for a long time.
Hygge is about being present and enjoying the moment and all those little things around us we often take for granted.
There's a lot of mindfulness & gratitude in Hygge. Minimizing distractions and focusing on the present moment & company is what Hygge is all about. The simplicity of cradling a hot mug of tea while zoning out to the flicker of a candle is therapeutic for our bodies and our minds - it's the relief needed from the world we live in.
So how can we naturally incorporate Hygge and all of it’s awesome powers into our lives?
TRY THIS:
TAKE A FEW MOMENTS OUT OF YOUR DAY AND ADJUST EACH OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS.
THEN PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN, RELAX AND EMBRACE THE MAGIC OF HYGGE : )
C L O T H I N G
Put on loose comfortable clothing - no bras allowed.
Scandinavians swear by their natural textiles, so bonus points if your lounge clothes are made of natural fibers like wool or cotton.
Thick, knit socks or sheepskin slippers are the perfect Hygge accessory for tired feet. I love incorporating a warm wrap, especially in the winter - it's like having a portable blanket at all times :)
L I G H T I N G
Aim for soft & warm ambient lighting.
The Kelvin (K) scale is used to quantify the level of brightness and warmness in lighting. Ultra-soft candlelight falls on the low & warm end of the spectrum between 1000K and 2000K. A salt lamp is a bit higher at approximately 2200K. Cozy, home lighting (ex: table lamp) usually falls around the 3000K range. As you move up the scale, the lighting gets brighter and cooler, eventually reaching the coolness and brightness of a clear blue sky.
Feel-good, Hygge lighting is between the 1000K to 2500K range. Tealights, pillar candles, fairy string lights & salt lamps all fall in this range and provide that cozy, relaxing vibe.
S E A T I N G
Comfy seating is a must.
A deep, plush sofa or armchair with cushions you can really sink into is ideal. If you don’t have a cloud-like sofa to curl up in, a deep wingback chair with a soft cushion or an oversized floor-pillow paired with a thick blanket makes a great Hygge hangout.
Make sure there's a hard, flat surface close-by to put your drink down*.
*nothing worse than spilling your glass of red wine all over your sofa - trust me, I've been there more than once!
T E X T U R E
Immediately when I think Hygge, I think texture.
Anything that’s loosely knit, made of natural fibers like Alpaca fleece or Mohair & can be thrown over you, is a perfect addition to your Hygge setup.
We were given a gorgeous Avoca handweavers (traditional Irish weaving company) Mohair blanket as one of our wedding gifts and it’s honestly one of my favourite things to curl up with. Our black Cockapoo Jazzberry follows this blanket wherever it goes. Whether its spread out on the foot of the bed or thrown over an armchair, we know we’ll always find her lying on it with a big grin on her face. :)
D R I N K
Pull out your favourite mug and make yourself a hot drink.
Nothing is more Hygge than a big mug of hot chocolate, especially on a cold frosty day! Brewing a pot of mulled wine is another nice option, especially if you're having a friend over. The scent of the warm spices steeping together will add a special layer to the Hygge.
If you're too tired to bother with either of those, a big cup of green or herbal tea makes the perfect companion. If it's been a rough day, pick up some Mother's Little Helper organic tea from Davids Tea. It has valerian root (helps anxiety & promotes sleep) as well as peppermint, chamomile & lemongrass to sooth your senses after a long day.
Davids Tea Mother's Little Helper organic tea meets Finnish design house Marimekko's Oiva/Siirtolapuutarha mug
