How to Hygge - 8 ways to support your health and well-being through the winter months.

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all well and settling into yet another seasonal change! Here in Western Canada we have been plunged into the depths of winter almost overnight, and as I write there is a snowstorm raging outside. So what better time to discover the magic of a little Danish concept called Hygge? Grab a cup of something warm and join me for my take on “How to Hygge”. I think you will love how this way of being can really improve your health and well-being this winter.

The first questions I often get asked about this subject are: What is Hygge? And how is it pronounced?

Hygge is a Danish word that does not have a direct translation to English. It is pronounced “Hoo-gah”, and it is a concept that is deeply ingrained in the Danish psyche. Denmark is one of the happiest nations on earth, and a large portion of this feeling of contentment among the Danes is due to the presence of Hygge in their everyday existence. So, how can we begin to describe this magical concept in English? After many years of practicing hygge in my own life, I think the best way to understand it is as a state of being: finding joy in everyday life and allowing that joy to promote a feeling of abundance and contentment. Hygge is about being, rather than having. It isn’t something you can buy; it is truly a mindset of cultivating experiences that bring warmth, coziness, togetherness, belonging and connection into life. The origins of the word are believed to be derived from an old Norse word, which related to health or well being, and it was adopted by Danish culture in the eighteenth century. So nurturing was the concept, that the Danes have been exploring and implementing it ever since.

Since discovering hygge for myself many years ago, I have been fascinated by its health benefits, and how it has improved my mental, emotional and physical health while living in extreme winter conditions. Canada is a country that experiences some of the coldest, longest winters on the planet, and as someone who grew up and spent most of my life in the gentle climate of the British Isles, hygge has supported me through the demands of the harsh Canadian winters. I love this way of being so much and it has filtered into all aspects of my life. It’s a true passion of mine, and while I’m an English girl through and through, my ancestors where Scandinavian. So, allow me to teach you how to hygge. I think you’re going to love it as much as I do! Here are some quick and easy ideas to bring the essence of hygge into your home and your life:

1. Set the scene - Our surroundings impact our mood significantly. So creating a hygge mood at home is very important, especially in the colder, darker months of the year, when we are indoors more often. Feeling at peace at home and having a sanctuary to rest, unwind and relax away from the busyness of the outside world is vital to maintain optimum health and well-being. For me, hygge begins at home and radiates into my life from the place where I live, work, rest and support my children. Finding ways to bring hygge into your home is a great way to begin this journey; creating the mood you want, to invite a feeling of pleasure, contentment and joy. Fresh flowers, houseplants, pine cones, pebbles from the beach, cozy soft furnishings, warm lighting, open fires, essential oils, or anything else you enjoy that nurtures your soul by its presence in your home. Setting the scene to invite hygge into your life is the first step.

2. Light it up - Natural light is essential for our happiness and well-being. It improves our mood and keeps us alert and productive. So inviting as much natural light into your home as possible, is the best way to feel in tune with seasonal cycles. Sheer curtains in your work space, light neutral paint on your walls and even mirrors to reflect the daylight, are all great ways to optimize your natural light absorption throughout the work day. As the light fades, then it’s time to light it up with warm cozy lamps, candles, fairy lights or lanterns. The warmer the glow, the more hygge energy you invite into your space. I enjoy this hygge glow all year round with candles, fairy lights and lanterns both inside my home and in the outside space of my property. As winter approaches however, I love to get this warm glow illuminating my space by the late afternoon. I love the atmosphere it creates and the whimsical magic that is sprinkled throughout. By the time my children arrive home from school, our home is inviting, cozy and feels like a warm haven from the snow outside.

**The warm glow of candlelight in the snow.**

3. Create a corner - Creating a special hygge corner in your home is an easy, manageable way to introduce the concept of hygge. It is perfect for taking a quiet break from work or other daily tasks, and is ideal for other hygge pursuits such as reading or journalling. All you need is a quiet space in your home, some cozy cushions, a fluffy blanket and a lamp to create some warm toned lighting. A candle or Himalayan salt lamp are other hygge extras you can add, if you wish. When it’s cold outside, this cozy corner can become your snug little refuge from the world. Add your favourite book and a delicious hot chocolate and a new level of peaceful contentment can be found at any time of the day.

4. Make a book list - Winter is the perfect season for reading all of those books you meant to read on your summer vacation. Make a list and get comfy and cozy in your hygge corner with a real page turner. Feeling warm and peaceful, and being transported to a fictional world for a while has amazing benefits for your overall well-being. Reading is known to be one of the ultimate feel good occupations and studies have shown that it is the number one choice, when we are asked how we love to spend our free time. Doing things we love, in a pleasing, hygge environment absolutely boosts our feelings of contentment and fulfillment. If you would like some inspiration for your book list, check out this post from October, where I recommend five books I have recently enjoyed: https://www.sacrednorthyoga.com/the-be-well-blog/what-im-reading-five-books-i-have-enjoyed-this-summernbsp

5. Tasty treats - A “how to hygge” list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning food. When the winter weather sets in and we need a little extra calorie intake to keep us warm and fueled against the cold, nothing inspires cozy comfort like hot delicious foods and drinks. Food is calming and healing, and sharing it with loved ones; with either a large, sumptuous meal or just a hot cup of tea and a chat, brings instant hygge delight. Think hot chocolate around the fire, decorating cakes or a gingerbread house, mulled wine on a cold winters night, or a hearty vegetable soup with warm bread. All of it creates an ambiance of comfort, togetherness and warmth. Here is a link to a delicious hot chocolate recipe which is ready in minutes! https://detoxinista.com/peppermint-hot-chocolate/

6. Get outside - This may seem like the opposite of all the cozy indoor warmth and comfort. But connecting with nature is a huge part of hygge, and after all that delicious food and snugging by the fire, some exercise outdoors in a winter wonderland is soothing to the soul. So get those snow boots or rain boots on and a cozy, warm coat and enjoy all that the season has to offer. Here are some outdoor hygge ideas:

Outdoor skating - glide along with winter as your backdrop.
Fun in the snow - sledding, skiing, snow shoeing, making a snowman. The options are endless!
Watching the winter sunset - bring a hot chocolate and a friend and enjoy the beauty.
Winter beach walks - wrap up and enjoy the bracing exhilaration of the ocean in the winter.
Walk in the forest after a fresh snow fall - this is peace and tranquillity by the bucket load!

**The peace and tranquility of the forest after a fresh snowfall.**

7. Craft it up - Getting creative is a wonderful way to bring hygge to your life this winter. It is such a satisfying pleasure to make something from scratch, seeing the project unfold and become a useful item, a gift or an object of beauty, which we can be proud of. The process of creation boosts feel good hormones, engages mind, body and spirit and has the ability to transport us to a rooted place of purpose. So whether you are a gifted artist, a new knitter or someone with an interest in woodwork, there is a project inside you just waiting for hygge inspiration to strike! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Learn to crochet a basic beanie or an easy Christmas decoration for your tree - I love Happy Berry Crochet for easy tutorials that always work out well. Here is a link to her website: https://www.happyberry.co.uk/
Make a lantern from a glass jar - you can find lots of tutorials on YouTube for this. You need just a basic glass jar, some glass paint is optional, a candle or string of LED battery operated fairy lights and a little imagination.

Outdoor ice decorations - If you live somewhere very cold, as I do, this is a craft everyone will love. You need a mold (a shallow plastic bowl is perfect) some winter foliage such as berries or evergreens and some water colour paint. Fill the mold with water, add the foliage and a few splashes of watercolour and sit the bowl outside. Within hours, Mother Nature has created a dazzling, light catching work of natural art. Hang it on an outdoor tree and while the temperature remains cold, your art will catch your eye everyday.

**Ice decoration catching the winter sunlight.**

8. Create traditions - Hygge is about being rather than having, and creating traditions or experiences with friends and family fosters the true spirit of this concept. If you have young children, this is a perfect way to lay the foundation of their childhood and create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. When my children were young, hygge set the stage for a plethora of traditions that we uphold to this day. These traditions built a secure framework for my children to evolve into the young adults they are today, and I know that they will carry these throughout their lives and pass them to their children. Hygge is a powerful force for connection, and I feel very blessed that I found this lifestyle when my children were young. Here are some of our traditions that you may like to adopt into your own life:

Winter Solstice Celebration - On the morning of shortest day of the year my children and I gather beside our Christmas tree to receive a small handmade or useful solstice gift. We light candles and enjoy a day of winter fun. We make cranberry garlands and hang them in the forest, we drink hot chocolate and watch the sunset and then we come home and light all of our candles. Here is a link to a post I wrote about the Winter Solstice: https://www.sacrednorthyoga.com/the-be-well-blog/the-magic-of-winter-solstice
Attending the annual Christmas Faire at our local Waldorf School - Every year we attend this event and have been doing so since my daughter was 3 years old. It signals the beginning of our path towards Winter Solstice and Christmas and has been a truly much loved event for my children throughout their childhood.
Outdoor skating with hot chocolate - On crisp winter days we skate on our local lake, surrounded by fairy lights and Christmas music.
Reading Yule (a book by Dorothy Morrison) every day from December 1st to January 6th at breakfast - This is a tradition we started about 7 years ago. I will link this delightful book here: https://www.amazon.ca/Yule-Celebration-Warmth-Dorothy-Morrison/dp/1567184960/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2I4L9KCBYP6QE&keywords=Yule&qid=1668807199&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI0LjYxIiwicXNhIjoiMy45NCIsInFzcCI6IjIuODEifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=yule+%2Cstripbooks%2C160&sr=1-6
Forest walks with hot chai tea - On snowy days we head to the forest with a hot flask of chai tea and walk amongst the towering pines laden heavy with thick, simmering snow. The winter sun filters through the trees and we find a spot to sit and sip our tea. Such a peaceful way to spend the morning.
Winter baking and crafting together - Baking treats or making something is a much loved hygge tradition. We make Christmas cards, paint rocks, create with fibre arts or simply bake muffins or cookies.

**Yule by Dorothy Morrison is a much loved tradition.**

Hygge isn’t something you can buy, it’s not available at the store or online. The word can’t even be fully translated into English, in a single word or phrase. It is however, a lifestyle choice; something you can create little by little until you find its true essence, making your daily existence truly hyggelig (full of hygge). The Scandinavian people have enjoyed hygge at the heart of their culture for centuries, and their health and well-being is directly related to the joy they find by cultivating and nurturing this element of their heritage. I hope you find it as nourishing to your life as I do, and if you have any further questions about how to hygge, please leave a comment below or send me a message on the Connect with Me page of this website. It would be my pleasure to assist you on your own hygge journey. You can also find me on Instagram and on YouTube. Come practice with me there, I would love to see you! Here is a link to my Winter Solstice Savasana and Meditation practice. It’s it certainly a hyggelig practice, filmed by candlelight on a snowy day last year: https://youtu.be/fxHzfvZdhLI

And as always if this inspired you today, please share it with a friend; it might inspire them too!

Until next time... Be Well!