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What Is Hygge And Why Should You Be Interested In It?
Hygge is pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ or ‘hue-gah’. I had heard this word a few years ago when we were visiting Copenhagen, but I never took much notice of it. Experiencing hygge is easy to do. Now if only we could all pronounce it. Properly. LOL.
Hygge, the word that is becoming increasingly recognisable around the world was originally a Norwegian term for well-being, derived from the Norwegian term, hugga; meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” The word is used today to describe a feeling or mood created by taking pleasure in making everyday moment special.
Who “Created” Hygge And Why?
Danes created hygge because they were trying to survive boredom. A way for them to find moments to break up the day and make good moments. With so many cold, dark days, it was important to find a way to lift spirits and enjoy beautiful moments. Who wouldn’t want to turn a crap day into something positive?
The Danish Lifestyle Trend
Hygge has been around for centuries and is not a new concept. It is now “trending” all over Europe, the United States and the world as many books have recently been published on it.
If you’ve ever enjoyed reading a book indoors on a rainy Sunday or a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, then you’ve experienced hygge without even knowing it.
Here in Austria, our closest word to experiencing hygge is gemütlichkeit.
What Time Is Best For Experiencing Hygge?
Anytime you want! There is no rule, no time.
For me, Winter is the best time of the year to hygge. Don’t you love snuggling under cozy covers, reading a book, and just taking time for yourself?A fireplace makes the experience that much better! I love it.
Experiencing hygge on a daily basis really speaks to me because it allows you to savour the good moments. I love being under cozy blankets and covers. I feel warm and safe. It helps me to relax and clear my mind.
You might be enjoying hygge without even being conscious of it.
Get out your candles, warm slippers, woven textiles, delicious sweet and savoury pastries, sheepskin rugs, and cappuccinos, or hot chocolate. Austria, my home has been named the most liveable city for 7 times in a row!
But the Danes have one up on us – they remain the world’s happiest people. Does this come from being able to hygge during the long dark winter months?
The 10 Words Most Used To Describe Hygge
[wc_box color=”danger” text_align=”left” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=””]- Cosiness Familiarity
- Contentedness Serenity
- Happiness Reassurance
- Comfort Care
- Simplicity Security
Experiencing Hygge At Home
Friends/Game Night
Spend nights indoors with friends having a game night with a nice dinner, relaxing, talking and eating.
Put the technology away. No tv or phones and just enjoy each other’s company.
Uplift Others
I love the idea of uplifting and encouraging others so spend some time with a person you may not have seen in a while. Reconnect and strengthen your relationship. It will do both of you good.
Candles & Lights
Need I say more? Purchase some nice scented candles and enjoy calm and relaxation.Warm lights in the room can also help you to relax and enjoy the calm mood.
Download your free printable of the Top 5 Aromatherapy Scents For Relaxation And Their Benefits at the end of this post.
I absolutely love these candles! They all go for under $30. Just amazing.
Incorporate Warm Drinks Into Your Hygge Routine
I love mint and ginger tea because they have high nutritional value as well as excellent health-promoting quality. Ginger tea also reduces stress levels.
The calming effect from the tea helps to reduce physical and mental stress which in turn is great for the mind, body and soul.
I love using these mugs to cosy up by the fireplace.
Jessica Gavin has a great recipe for Ginger Lemon Mint Tea on her website. It’s delish!
Do you enjoy mulled wine? Here we call it Glühwein, pronounced “glue – vine”, I know sounds kind of off, but it will warm you up and is great for experiencing hygge. Don’t buy the cheap kind or the premade ones.
Make your own. Here is a great recipe for Swedish Glögg (mulled wine) for you to try.
Hygge Is All About Your Surroundings
Experiencing hygge is all about relaxation and not overdoing things. Set up your surroundings but do overdo it, no need for renovations, or any large purchases. On iTunes you can download some classical music – I love listening to the Bolero when relaxing.
Put on your pyjamas or loungewear and be as luxurious or relaxed as you personally wish.
Hygge definitely encourages a more close and intimate time with yourself, friends, family – all loved ones.
If you are not familiar with this concept, I hope this post gives you the inspiration and motivation to do something for yourself today, or over the weekend.
The Simple Things In Life Are Hygge
Relax and enjoy life’s moments.
Have you been experiencing hygge without even knowing it?
Share your reaction, thoughts, or hygge moments or suggestions with me in the comments section below! Excited to learn something from you! Have a peaceful week.
67 comments
I first heard about hygge about a year ago. Like so many I have been doing it without knowing what is was called. It seems many have treated themselves and family this way only at Christmas time but let those traditions and feelings slip away after the new year. It seems such a pity for all the love, sharing and coziness to slip away after the holidays. A cup of tea and my favourite classical music can do wonders for my spirit. I love lighting candles anytime of day. Some sweets, tea and a dear friend makes a perfect afternoon. Treat yourself well, you deserve it.
I think I haven been experiencing hygge without even knowing. Still learning about mindful living and exploring the concept.
I’ve yet to find a thing Danish people come up with that I don’t like! It’s a bit difficult to do it with a toddler though, lol!
I learnt a new term today via your post thanks for uplifting my spirits with this beautiful write up.
I’ve never heard of hygge before but one of my goals for 2018 is to be more mindful and overall spiritual. I’m going to look into this some more, thank you so much for putting it on my radar!
I love that you share this post. It is so important to have Hygge in our lifes. It is one of my favorite thing and like you said especially in the winter season.
I didn’t know what it meant but haven’t heard of it either so I’m sure I’m not the last to know or find out what it is. I do love that it means hug! This post made me think of everything that I love, appreciate or that hugs me just from the feelings I experience without the physical touching.
I personally love to practise hygge , since it leaves with with such a good feel and creates happiness in life. But now, I wish to explore it more and more.
I’ve been hearing about hygge more and more often these days and I really like the concept! I completely agree that Winter would be the best season to incorporate some hygge practices in to your life. We’re in the middle of Summer here in Australia, but in a few month’s time, you bet I’ll be making the effort to be still and appreciate quiet moments. 🙂 x
Sheri, I love this post! I do believe that to Hygge is to live – to be present and in the bliss of every moment. It helps us to slow down and really be in the experience of living. ❤️ Xoxo Thank you Evelyn
HI Evelyn! I am so glad you like it. I agree with you completely. I love Hygge as it is part of my mindful living. 🙂
I’ve been hearing this so much lately especially in the home decor community. I never knew what it meant until now!
well it’s about time I get my Hygge ON! I’m all about lounging in comfy clothes, cozy with a blanket and drinking warm stuff by the fire and/or candles… sounds like just what I need (I think Fall and Winter are perfect time for this!) thanks for sharing ; )
I have heard a lot about Hygge but I don’t think I have ever experienced it. Love the concept a lot.
I like Hygge being defined as “Serenity.” That is something I crave so much. A little quiet time, in a zen garden is going to make a whole lot of difference.
I have come across that word before but it is only now that I really understood what it meant (and how it is pronounced!) I would love to experience hygge too. I will get some lovely fall themed candles, grab my cozy throw and snuggle on the couch with a hot cup of hot apple cider. 🙂
I also remember hearing the term “hygge” but never paying much attention to it. Thank you so much for enlightening with this term and all the possible ways to experience it. I may not have known the term well enough but for sure I have experienced hygge many a times, especially in winters. 😀
This is just the sweetest idea to have a specific word to describe the mood. I can’t think of a better one than something rooted in the word hug. At our house, when the weather turns colder I put an extra blanket on the bed and my husband builds us lots of fires in the evenings. x
I love Hygge and all the cosy ideas I have the little Book of Hygge which is great and Hygge is perfect this time if year isn’t it.
I love this word! Danish people sure know how to live life! This is really amazing… We all need to apply “hygge’ to our everyday lives.. it sure helps our mental health, and generally make us more happy!
I have never heard of HYGGE! Haha. I think i should explore myself more to this. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! I have never experienced hygge. I think it will be exciting. Thank you for sharing.
I had heard of the word ‘Hygge’ but wasn’t sure what it meant. I didn’t even realise I was experiencing Hygge – by having the fire on, in my pyjamas and having a warm hot chocolate. It’s that cosy and happy feeling! I’m off to Copenhagen this month, so I will definitely be experiencing Hygge there.
I love the idea of having a word that one can use to focus on self care. We all need some Hygge in our lives. It is vital to our survival.
I haven’t heard of the term hygge until now. But you’re right, i’ve been doing it for a long time without my knowledge that I’m doing it haha!
This was very interesting as I had never heard of hygge before. Thank you for introducing this new concept!
Experiencing hygee in simplest things of life is big stress buster. For me it is doing some painting, chatting with old friends on phone and watching people walking in streets.
I have heard of Hygge but did not know much about it. I would love to practise it daily , it sounds like a great idea.
I have also been doing Hygge without realising! I will be more mindful next time!
I had never heard of the word “hygge”, but I do experience the concept sometimes without knowing it. I actually did it for almost the entire weekend last week! I find it a great way to connect with the person you’re with, and to relax without having to do the actual relaxation exercises (I find meditation a lot harder and less fun ;). Thank you for sharing!
[…] makes my skin so incredibly soft, and smells nice all day. Self-care is vital to health, inner-peace and […]
[…] that to be out and about interacting with others. Of course, it is nice to stay home too. I love experiencing Hygge but at the same time I make time to spend outside of the […]
Ahh I would love to visit! The concept is so cool and nothing is better than tea and a good book!
Yes, I like this whole concept, keep up the good work.
I’ve never heard of Hygge before but its such a great idea. I love snuggling up under a blanket, with a pipping hot cup of tea and a good book.
What a cool idea! I’ve never heard of this before, but will consider implementing hygge in my life!
I’ve definitely experienced hygge without knowing it on many cold winter evenings at home under a blanket with a book! I love that there’s a word for this experience!
Hygge is a feeling you cannot translate 🙂 I’ve been doing my fair share of trying to indulge once in a while and practice hygge myself. Even wrote a whole blogpost on it. It’s definitely a concept that is here to stay!
This is the first time I have heard about this word “hygee”. Sounds funny too. I guess I’ve being doing it all this while. lol. A way to spend my day after along day at work is to have hot chocolate, snuggle up in bed and watch a movie..
Yes, Hygge is definitely catching on here in the states. I think I’ve been in this mode since birth. Ha!
I have never heard that term before. But based on the definition you provided I would agree, the winter time would be the ideal season to create environments of hygge in your home. Cozy blankets, warm fire, good food…yep, I’m right there with you. Thanks for sharing this new concept.
I am so glad you like the concept. Yes, winter is the best time, although I still like to Hygge in other seasons too, in the evening when the temperature drops. 🙂
Hey, probably the first time I have heard about this word “hygee”. Now that I know about it, I gotta use it in my life.
I love Hygge! The simplicity and how calm it all is!
Ooo, yes… I could totally use some Hygge in my life. It’s been so chaotic lately!! This has to be at least a 20 point word! Thanks for sharing!
Interesting. Never heard of Hygge (Ain’t sure, too if I’m pronouncing it right, LOL), and never been to Copenhagen, too (well, it’s on our bucket list too). And I should say that you got the nice list of doing Hygge. Cool post.
Ive been hearing alot about this state of being. It’s interesting to me and sounds like a great place to be mentally. Hygge is about being present and enjoying life in a way that suits one’s lifestyle. I believe in this greatly!
So this is definitely the first time I have heard of hygge!!!! Now that I know what it is though, I’m sad I’ve been missing out!
I loved reading this.. I was so curious to know more about it! I was actually going to buy this book!
I have never heard of Hygge before. But knowing now of what hygge is and consist of it is something I have learned to take part in often, love it!
Hygge is a critical part of my lifestyle. I was introduced to it one year from a yoga instructor but have never researched the act. As mentioned several people experience hygge subconsciously on a regular.
I need to add hygge to my vision board as a constant reminder that I need to relax and enjoy life more. I tend to over do things a lot.
I love this!! I love learning new words to describe things I already do. I am also partially of Norse descent so this is really cool! I loved learning not only the word but WHY they started using this.
Yay! Happy that you were able to learn somethig from the post and that you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thank you!
I have bee n ‘hygging’ without knowing it. Yesss..i’ve to denmark and I just love copenhagen so much. I think in the caribbean getting cozy with a glass of wine and candle is a must. 🙂
This was an informative post. I’d never heard of hygge before! we might be unconsciously experiencing it.
Wow, I have never heard of Hygge! From your description of it, it sound like something I do all the time and just never knew it had a name, lol! Thanks for sharing!
You are right, this is a popular phenomenom in Europe and the various countries practice it in several ways. It all boils down to having a good time and relieving stress.
‘Hygge’ word was new to me but got the meaning after reading your post! Informative post indeed!
Very pretty pictures!
This was well written and very organized topics. Happy to add a new term for confort. Very interesting
I’ve heard random bits about this practice over the past few weeks and was curious to learn more. It sounds like a Danish trend the whole world should adapt!
Well I didn’t know there was a word for that hot cocoa afternoons. Learn something everyday.
Thank you for teaching me a new word for today! I can definitely say that I practice this during the Winter mostly!
This post was very informative. I’d never heard of hygge until now! I love the concept.
Think I need a bit of this in my life!
I always wanted to know what HYGGE was because I have been seeing online! It is amazing that I have been doing HYGGE the whole time and did not know it!