Hygge, pronounced (Hue-gah) is a Danish word originally derived from an Old Norwegian word meaning well-being and protection from the outside elements. Far north countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark have miserably cold, long winters. The concept of hygge has been used by Nordic people to help mentally combat the brutally dark, relentless winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love. Hygge is not necessarily something specific that you can buy, because it’s more of a feeling than a possession.
Hygge really is the epitome of Nordic living, and in the last five years the concept of hygge has made its way to the US and many other countries has become a trending idea in home decorating.
Hygge can widely be described as a feeling of coziness, comfort, familiarity, friendship, laughter and seasonal homemade food and drinks. Although it’s entirely possible to achieve hygge any time of the year (an outdoor BBQ with friends or a movie under the stars with family are perfectly good examples of summertime hygge). Hygge is typically associated with the colder months because of it’s ability to uplift one’s spirits during the dark, long winter months.
The upcoming holiday season of Christmas and New Year is a great time to practice hygge. Everyone wants to create a peaceful and cozy environment that fills you with a warm feeling of contentment.
Three Ways to Practice Christmas Hygge
Host family and friends. The holidays bring so many opportunities to host get-togethers for your loved ones. Be sure not to stress over these gatherings, hygge parties are relaxed, friendly and homey. (As this is written in 2020, do be mindful of health concerns.)
Warm lighting – in order to achieve a great sense of hygge, be sure to light some candles, use an essential oil diffuser, have a fire or set up string lights. Warm lightning is essential for that holiday hygge vibe.
Cozy linens, blankets and textures . Get out al=ll of those soft, fluffy blankets and have them available on the couch or chairs and by the windows, so that you can easily cuddle up with your favorite book and relax.
Home cooking and baking. Cooking some traditional holiday meals and treats will help bring holiday hygge into your home. Comfort foods like holiday ham, stews, savory flatbreads, cookies, cinnamon apple pie will waft soul-warming scents throughout the air, making your home feel cozy and cared for.
Holiday hygge is easy and comforting. Most people are already doing at least some of these simple holidays hygge hacks without even knowing it. Now that you know the term for that warm and fuzzy feeling, you will be able to up your holiday hygge game even further.
10 Ways to Practice Hygge During Covid-19
As of this writing, Covid-19 is making a reappearance in many parts of the country. Some of us will have to rethink how we spend the holidays this year. It’s more important than ever to keep our spirits up to help combat depression and isolation.
Holiday cooking and baking. Making holiday treats (even if you’re on a special diet!) is a fun way to get creative, fill your home with intoxicating smells and treating yourself to comfort food.
Read physical books. Kindles and tablets have their place and can be very convenient at times, but there’s nothing like holding a physical book for the sensory experience. Plus, you can highlight or underline whatever you want to!
Family movie nights. Find some classic shows and movies that you can watch together as a family from your favorite streaming service. Old movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and a Christmas Story never go out of style. And in 2020, watching these old classics will probably be very comforting.
Taking a digital break. With the never ending cycle of bad and discouraging news in 2020, it’s essential to step away from your social media feed. Information overload is a real thing, and your brain needs that downtime to not think about anything.
Practicing mindfulness. I personally think the whole world needs some mindfulness and serenity right about now. Mindfulness is simply learning to be in the present moment, and not letting your mind wander. I’ve found yoga one of the best ways to learn to become more mindful. And it’s also a great way to practice hygge with a diffuser running, soft lights and Mexican blankets!
Getting outside. There’s nothing like taking a long walk outside to clear your head and relieve anxiety and depression. You already know about the physical benefits. So bundle up and get out there..see what it does for your state of mind!
Take up a new hobby. Hobbies like crocheting, knitting and sewing or quilting are a great way to detach from life’s noise. Hobbies help to bring much needed balance to your life and help you to unwind.
Journaling. Journaling is one of the best ways to care for your mental health. If you need some new journal prompts, be sure to sign up for my mailing list, I send out journaling prompts several times a month.
Have a spa day at home. I’m personally very partial to Lemongrass Spa products for my self care at home. They are affordable and very hygge friendly with a wonderful variety of holiday scented products like buttercream, merry berry and peppermint stick! Click through the link below or email me at marya {a} chronicallylemongrass.com for more information.
Clean the house and declutter. Okay, this is my least favorite of the bunch! But admittedly there’s nothing like that feeling of relief when you’ve gotten rid of a bunch of household clutter that you never use. It really does help to relieve stress and reduces decision fatigue.
And as mentioned above, small homey touches like blankets, candles, lighting and a warm fire can go a long way in creating that cozy hygge environment for your home.
Most importantly, try to remember that hygge isn’t necessarily about buying things, it’s about creating a warm feeling of atmosphere, love and coziness to your home.