Everything you need to know about hygge - the art of being happy

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Hygge is a funny Danish word that means the ability to appreciate the ordinary pleasures of life and enjoy the moment. Lifehacker tells why it became so popular and how to let hygge into your life.

What does the word hygge mean?

The word hygge first appeared in written Danish at the beginning of the 19th century. And it comes from the Norwegian "well-being, well-being." This is a concept that means a special atmosphere and feelings associated with happiness. He wrote about it in detail in his book “Hygge. The Secret of Danish Happiness”founder and director of the Danish Institute for the Study of Happiness, Mike Wiking.

In Danish, the word "hygge" can be either a verb or an adjective (hyggelig (t) - having the properties of a hygge). The Danes say: “How hyggeligt will get together”, “What a hyggelig party!”, “It was so hyggeligt to meet you!”, “I want to spend time with you hyggelig”.

Hygge can also be added to almost any Danish word. For example, Friday night is familiehygge time and cozy wool socks are hyggesokker. Thus, hygge is a word that, according to Mike Viking's definition, is "not written, but felt."

Why is it the Danes who are exploring happiness?

Denmark leads the list of the most prosperous countries in the world. Numerous polls and studies have shown that Danes can be considered the happiest people in Europe. Therefore, there are more and more people who want to solve the hygge phenomenon.

Denmark has special hygge tours of parks, coffee houses, squares and streets where you can feel happier. In many countries, cafes and shops in the hygge style appear, and in one of the British colleges they even teach a Danish hygge course.

How exactly do you feel the hygge?

Mike Viking writes that hygge is not so much about things as about the atmosphere and sensations - the feeling of home, the closeness of loved ones, peace and serenity, when we feel protected and can relax.

Hygge is the ability to appreciate the ordinary pleasures of life and enjoy the moment. That being said, your budget can (and should) be very modest. The relationship here is the opposite: the more glitter and luxury, the less hygge.

Mike Viking Founder of the Happiness Research Institute

Champagne and oysters can express a lot, but definitely not hygge.

In Denmark, the song "Happy Svante Day" by Benny Andersson, a member of the famous Swedish group ABBA, is popular. It just describes the ability to enjoy simple things:

What other signs of hygge are there?

• Hygge taste - familiar, pleasant, soothing. If tea, then with honey, if cookies, then with delicious glaze, if stew, then with the addition of wine or some favorite seasoning.
• Hygge sound - crackle of burning wood, which shoot small sparks. Noises heard only in silence: the sound of rain drops on the windowsill, the hum of the wind outside the window, the rustle of trees, the creak of wooden floorboards. These are any sounds, even thunderclaps, but if you are at home at this moment, in comfort and safety.
• The smell of hygge - the one that takes you to the past, to where you felt very good, comfortable and safe. The scent of lilacs, vanilla baked goods, wooden furniture, Christmas tree, mother's perfume.
• Hygge touches - pleasant sensations that arise when you run your fingers over the soft skin, warm your hands on a hot ceramic mug, touch the surface of an old wooden table.
• See hygge - to look at dark natural colors, to observe slow natural phenomena, for example, dancing tongues of a fire, falling snow, drops of rain crawling on glass.

How can you be happy?

Light the candles and dim the lights

The most important component of all hygge recipes is burning candles. No wonder, translated from Danish, a person who spoils all pleasure is "the one who blows out the candles." According to the Danes, the simplest way to quickly create a hygge is to light several "living fires". 28% of the people surveyed by the Institute for the Study of Happiness in the country do it every day. And a third of Danes prefer to light more than five candles at once.

Another way is to create pleasant lighting. It rains in Denmark for about half a year. In order to create a feeling of coziness and warmth, the inhabitants of the country equip islands of light in their homes. The lamps should ideally emit a warm amber light.

Create a secluded spot

To create such a place, a wide window sill is ideal, where you can put a lot of soft pillows and blankets. Here you can drink delicious tea in the evenings, watch falling snowflakes, read a book.

Meet your friends

The Danish recipe for happiness is quite simple: you need to try to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

Spending time with other people is an important part of hygge. It is one of the most important ingredients for overall happiness.

Mike Viking

78% of Danes meet at least once a week with friends, family or colleagues outside of work. Nearly 60% of Danes think three or four people are the best company for a hygge.

Meeting friends is filled with mutual concern and peace of mind. This is a kingdom of equality: no one draws attention to themselves, no one tries to become the main one. Guests help the host prepare food, set the table, and then put everything in order. In such a relaxed atmosphere, you can completely relax and be yourself. This is a large comfort zone where everyone feels good.

In order to get closer, it is possible to create shared memories and traditions that will bring the company together. For example, to get together every first Sunday of the month for board games or on the first day of summer, be sure to go for a picnic on the beach.

Eat tasty

Hygge and strict diets are incompatible. You need to pamper yourself, and for this you sometimes have to deviate from the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Sweets, coffee, hot chocolate, thick cocoa with marshmallows, aromatic fresh pastries with jam - this is hygge. But the cabbage salad is not very good.

It's all about the sweetness of the forbidden fruit. But it doesn't have to be expensive and pretentious. Popcorn and homemade stews are more hygge than foie gras or dinner at an expensive restaurant.

You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy a cake, which is almost the same thing. At least that's what our brain thinks.

Mike Viking

But keep in mind: overeating to a heaviness in the stomach is no longer hygge.

Cooking a hygge dish is a delight in the leisurely process. Hand-made things are especially appreciated. A jar of homemade strawberry jam will take you back to summer, when you boiled harvested berries and tasted the hot foam.

If you wish, you can combine the two components of the hygge and organize a culinary club for friends. Together you choose a recipe and distribute who brings what. Then, with pleasant conversations and jokes, a joint preparation and eating of the dish takes place.

Dress casually

Danes have a talent for dressing stylishly and casually. And this is also a hygge.

How can this be achieved? Buy a large scarf (this is important for everyone at any time of the year), choose a voluminous top (a thick hand-knitted sweater or cardigan), do a casual hairstyle, practice layering (in Denmark this is important because the weather can change several times a day).

There is no bad weather, there are unsuitable clothes.

A popular saying in Europe

Or knit or order yourself a Sarah Lund sweater, perhaps the most recognizable Danish piece of clothing made famous by the TV series Murder. It is worn by the main character performed by Sophie Groböl. The actress chose the sweater herself.

Buy a blanket, china mug, or old chair

Seven out of ten Danes believe that hygge occurs most often at home. But for this you need to create comfort. In addition to a secluded corner, hygge creates a fireplace, wood and vintage items, books, blankets and pillows, any items pleasant to the touch (for example, a soft blanket), ceramics and porcelain.

Mike Viking recommends putting together an emergency hygge kit that will help you relax and restore your peace of mind. These are candles, some delicious quality chocolate, favorite tea, a book, a movie or TV series, jam, a pair of warm woolen socks, a sweater, a nice notebook, a cozy blanket, music, a photo album that you like to leaf through.

What else can you do to experience the hygge?

1. Play board games.
2. Invite your friends and fill the pantry together. Let everyone bring some home supplies: jams or pickles. Then eat them during the get-togethers.
3. Watch your favorite TV show or movie at home.
4. Have a campfire gathering.
5. Watch a movie in an open-air cinema.
6. Throw a swap party when friends bring items they haven't used for a long time.
7. Go downhill.
8. Take a bike ride.
9. Take a picnic in a scenic spot and don't forget to bring homemade lemonade, pastries, fruit, bread and cheese.
10. Cook the jam.