The Benefits of Embracing Hygge

A book and coffee sit on a blanket in front of a fire, creating the perfect environment for hygge.

With the colder weather comes a good deal of down-time and the opportunity for embracing coziness and self-care. The Danish are professionals in the practice of comfort and contentment as they have been championing the concept of “hygge” for hundreds of years. The Danes define hygge — pronounced hoo-gah — as “taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about — or even by yourself — to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures.” Hygge has gotten international attention over the past decade as the world seeks ways to improve and support their mental wellbeing. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the history of the concept, its key elements, the benefits of embracing hygge, and how you can embrace a lifestyle aligned with the practice.

History of Hygge

The concept of hygge can be traced back to the 1800s, but forms of the word hygge can be found going all the way back to the Middle Ages. Denmark.dk reported that a comparable Old Norse word means, “protected from the outside world,” potentially revealing the origins of the term.

To Scandinavians, hygge is about more than just a warm blanket and some quiet time — it is a mindset, one that embraces peace and simplicity. Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge, describes the concept as “being consciously cozy, but it has also been… called ‘the pursuit of everyday happiness.’” Contrasted with the work-centered, fast-paced lives of many Americans, hygge can help to promote the prioritization of simple pleasures and a calm state of mind.

Key Elements of Practicing Hygge

Creating Cozy Spaces: It is important to create a comforting space when practicing hygge. This can be done by lighting a few candles and utilizing warmer light fixtures, finding some warm blankets, and sitting in a comfortable environment.

Nourishing the Body: Simple, comforting meals and warm beverages like tea or cocoa can help to focus in on the concept of hygge. Make your comfort meal — anything from soup to curry to pasta — and serve it up to yourself and your loved ones.

Slowing Down: Making the conscious decision to dedicate time to slower, more peaceful pastimes can make a huge difference in your day and can help you to embrace hygge. Setting aside your work and technology to read a book, journal, or craft is a great place to start.

Connecting with Loved Ones: Frequent visits with family and friends are another great way to practice hygge. Hosting gatherings and enjoying quality time promotes feelings of happiness and comfort and can lead to stronger, more intimate relationships.

Bringing Nature Indoors: One last way to establish hygge as a staple of your everyday life is to incorporate plants, wood features, and seasonal decorations into your home decor. By bringing warmer, outside elements into your home, you can promote a calmer space that evokes feelings of natural peace.

Some books, tea, plants, and a candle sit on a table, ready for a night honoring hygge.

Mental Health Benefits

Coming from Denmark, a nation that consistently ranks among the “happiest countries,” using hygge as a tool to benefit one’s mental health is a promising concept. Hygge is known for supporting feelings of togetherness, comfort, and rejuvenation through unstructured, informal time with family, friends, or by yourself. Tianna Dow, a therapist at Acenda Integrated Health, also recognizes hygge as a practice of intentionality and mindfulness. By taking the time to slow down and establish physical and emotional safety through inner peace and supportive relationships, she wrote, we are able to be fully ourselves.

“As a clinician, I like to think of mental health as a product of our overall, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing,” Dow wrote. “When these areas suffer due to stress, illness, or lack of emotional regulation, for example, our mental health is not at its best. The ability to cope effectively and in a healthy way is a very intentional process that the hygge concept could be supportive for.”

Embracing Hygge

Being “consciously cozy” is a lifelong pursuit, something you incorporate into your everyday. While this may seem daunting, there are small ways to embrace the concept and slowly increase the place it holds in your day-to-day life. To start small, you can:

  • Light a candle and journal while you drink your morning coffee
  • Spend 15 minutes after work reading a book on the couch or trying out a crossword puzzle
  • Make time throughout the week to see friends and family, even on the weekdays

This mother and daughter practice hygge by doing yoga and spending quality time together.

Practicing hygge doesn’t look the same for everyone; the best way to embrace this ode to comfort is to adapt it to fit your life. The only necessities are a comfortable environment and some designated quality time, with yourself or your loved ones.

“This can be incorporated at the dinner table with family, enjoying each other's company,” Dow wrote. “It could look like engaging in self-care, and making time to rest, reset, and relax with mindful reflection and deep breathing. It could also look like practicing yoga with the kiddos or playing board games. The beauty of it is the intention to slow down, and that allows it to be adaptable to all lifestyles.”

Conclusion

Hygge has long been a beneficial practice among Danes and other Scandinavian cultures. With the increasingly fast-paced lifestyle of Americans, now is a great time to work this concept of comfort and simplicity into your own day-to-day. By doing so, you may find yourself with a healthier mental wellbeing and more appreciation for the small things.

“If we are able to slow things down and create space to quiet the outside chatter, we could find increased happiness, understanding, acceptance, gratitude, love for ourselves and others, as well as a multitude of residual benefits,” Dow wrote.

Rather than scrolling on your social media accounts or drowning out the world with the TV, make the time to light a candle, grab your coziest blanket, and welcome hygge into your life.

Tianna Dow, Contributor Spotlight

Contributor Spotlight

Tianna Dow, MSW, LSW

Therapist at Acenda’s Early Intervention Support Services

Tianna is a licensed social worker and who has worked as a clinician for Acenda's Early Intervention Support Services (EISS) for two years. She also serves as a therapist in the Counseling and Wellness Center. She has experience in case management, mentoring, and working in residential facilities. Tianna says, "My superpower is therapy with a holistic focus to help people live their best life."

Interested in other ways to benefit your mental wellbeing this winter? Check out our last blog!

About the Author

Riley de Jong, Communications Strategist at Acenda, attended the University of California – Los Angeles for her undergraduate degree in Communication and minor in Entrepreneurship. She enjoys supporting her community, telling engaging stories, and connecting with others.

Sources

What do we mean by "hygge?" - Denmark.dk

The Scandinavian Hygge Lifestyle Taking the World by Storm - VICE News

The Power of the Slowdown - Psychology Today

How Being Cozy is good for Your Health