Hygge in Lockdown

  As Hygge is about togetherness, this is a difficult concept for Lockdown, especially if you live alone. While Lockdown rules have been eased (prematurely in my opinion) social distancing is still in effect (or should be) so togetherness is difficult to accomplish. If however, you are going through lockdown and/or quarantine at the moment with family members or friends, we can put a little Hygge into it.

Lights

  Break out a candle or two. Maybe make it part of a pastime. Play a board game in the dark. Gather round a candle and tell ghost stories. Put up some old Christmas lights and celebrate something, put fairy lights in a large glass or lantern and tell ghost stories that way. Maybe lead people around the house/flat and tell then ghost stories about the house. (You can make it up) “This is the staircase poor Abigail fell down” “this is the bedroom where old Mr Clarke was found, scared to death” Use your imagination. If not just pretend it’s a blackout. As we are not the Danes, as I have said before, we can get out the scented candles too. Just have a bit of fun in a different atmosphere.

  We can also use the natural light, as it is June, the sun can be used. Difficult if you can’t go out or have a flat, but if you have a garden, make the most of the sunshine when you can. If you are in a flat, open the curtains and let the sunshine in, if it is a hot day, open the windows. To make it fun, or just to do something different, have a picnic lunch. In the garden or on the living room floor, have some sandwiches and family/fiends time.

Cosiness

  When the weather is not on our side, bring out the cosy socks, the fleecy blankets and the hot chocolate. Cuddle together under a blanket and watch a family film, or read a book aloud (I recommend Julia Donaldson for the little ones) or just have some quiet, cosy time. Even if you are alone and therefore making the most of ‘me time’ rather than ‘we time’, cuddle up under a blanket with an oversized mug of warmth. Also, why not facetime, or Skype, or video call? Whilst we can’t really be with our friends and family outside the home, we can have them with us in a little more than spirit.

Electronics

  Turn them off and dust off a pack of cards, or a board game. What better time to have fun together than when we are all stuck inside together. While I am sure electronics are a godsend for many people right now (they are for me) we can turn them off for an hour or two. True, family/friends time can involve playing video games together or watching a film together but what’s wrong with doing it the old fashioned way? Maybe look up and learn a new card game, or a magic trick, or buy a new board game. There are so many different ones now (get super competitive with your housemates and play 221B Baker street) there is something for everyone. Have fun together without switching off completely, switch on and play snap.

Food

   Let’s indulge a little; I believe we deserve it right now. Cake, pastries, sweets, lots of sweets. Of course, everything in moderation, but if you don’t feel like the sugar and fat are what you want, break out the slow cooker. True, this is more something to cook warm stews and keep us happy in the winter, but the weather’s not always warm (feels a little like we’re living on the moors with how changeable it is at the moment). Also, maybe this is a chance to play a little with your cooking skills, make a batch of homemade soup, or do some baking, cook together. For a cooler idea, try a new salad recipe (the internet is a marvellous thing) or even try your hand at making a homemade drink. Maybe try a different cordial.  Eat, drink and be merry.

Make a Nook

  The best place to experience hygge is the home, so really this is the ideal time. I know some people have taken the time to do the decorating, tidying, sorting, rearranging etc. that they’ve been putting off. Here’s a chance to make a hyggekrog.

  A hyggekrog is just a cosy nook, sometimes by bay windows but it can be anywhere in a room. Put down some comfy cushions or whatever feels nice to sit on, soft lighting, perhaps a blanket and there you have it, your very own hyggekrog. It’s just a little space to relax, read a book, write something or just sit and let the stress of the day disappear. Unwind and relax. That is what Hygge is about after all.

Exercise the senses

  Hygge is used to describe many things, but safety is one of them, we tend to feel safe at home. But there are many different ways to experience Hygge.

  Listen: to the sounds that you don’t usually hear, background noise. Raindrops on the roof, the wind against the windows, the trees swaying in the wind, even the sounds of someone drawing, knitting or cooking are considered Hygge sounds. I think my personal favourite (in the absence of a fire) is thunderstorms, when I’m safe and warm on my couch. If you like the sound of a fire but don’t have one, get a Woodwick candle. It is a true they are pricey, but they really do sound like a crackling fire as they burn. Not the cheapest way to Hygge (which defeats the object a little) but worth it if you can afford it.

Smell: very individual but a smell that takes you back, that makes you feel safe. Maybe the smell of a bakery, the smell of your favourite dish cooking, the smell of your favourite blanket. Maybe even the smell that remains us of another place we felt safe. My Grandmother’s house I always remember as smelling like cooking, all the time. Whatever smell makes you feel safe, it sounds strange but smell is one of our five senses that can take us back and make us feel safe very effectively.

Feel: Running your fingers over a wooden surface or ceramic cup, very hyggelig. Old, homemade things are there to bring out the hyggelig. They have to be old and dull. Hygge is not about the big and bright, but the small and rustic. Anything made by craftsmanship, wool, leather, wood etc. Anything aged or will be is hygge. Those old wooden ornaments your grandfather made, the woollen blanket you mother knitted. The comforts of home with an organic feel.

Look: Atmospheric lighting is a big part of hygge, but it’s also about taking your time. Watching something that’s slow, like gently falling snow, or lazy flames. Taking your time to look at something that’s slow. A tonic to the mad rush the world is always in these days.

Taste: Make things a little sweeter. Add a little honey to your tea. Add some icing to your cake. Add some wine to your stew. Familiar, sweet and comforting is the taste of hygge.

The Manifesto

  There are ten steps in the hygge manifesto. Makes it sound simple and complicated at the same time but there a rules about hygge some people seem to forget. Now, it is ‘we’ time rather than ‘me’ time as I have said before but unless you’re up to using a video call piece of software (which isn’t the same) a lot of us are on our own right now. Yes we can video call, phone call, chat online whatever, but it’s what we chat about as well. There is also the simplicity of hygge, don’t bring out the bling and the boasting, it destroys hygge.

1.     Atmosphere: Turn down the lights.

2.      Presence: Turn off your phone, be in the here and now

3.      Pleasure: Don’t bring out the kale and protein shakes; bring out the cake and the chocolate.

4.      Equality: Share the tasks and airtime, we are all in this together after all

5.      Gratitude: It is easy, especially in times like this, to focus on how harsh it is that we don’t have some things. Be grateful for what we do have. We are still alive, we still have each other. Take it in, the here and now may be as good as it gets.

6.      Harmony: It’s not a competition we are already friends, no need to show off and talk about your achievements.

7.      Comfort: Take a break and sit in the comfy chair, it’s about relaxation.

8.      Truce: No drama. The governments doing its thing, we can talk about that tomorrow.

9.      Togetherness: Let’s work on these relationships and talk “Do remember when…” “You know the time we…”

10.  Shelter: Friends or relatives, this is your tribe. Your clan. This is your family. This is a place of peace and security.

  Hygge, and all it entails, is something we don’t really think about in times like this, but it is a way of bringing a little happiness into what can be a lonely and difficult time. Remember, we are apart so that when we are together again, fewer of us are missing. We will be together again, until then, be grateful for what we have now and allow yourself some happiness. Never give up the hygge.

Disclaimer I am not affiliated in any way with The Institute of Happiness, Copenhagen or it's employees, Mark Wiking, The Times, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Any misinformation or opinions on this site are those of the author only. Copyright infringement if any kind is unintentional.

A Hygge Summer

  We are almost a week into August so perhaps this is a little late, maybe July would have been a better time for this but we still have a good three weeks of summer left before the days turn colder, shorter and school is back in session. So here is how to have a hyggelig summer. Unless you’re coming to this Summer 2020 or beyond. Of course, this is an instance in which the English understanding of Hygge, cosiness, makes it sound strange. Cosiness is not really a word we associate with summer, but remember, Hygge is not cosiness, it is more than that.

1.       Candles and fireplaces become new-mown grass, sun and saltwater.

Summer doesn’t mean you have to turn down the hygge, it means a different kind of hygge. It involves making use of the sun, warmth and nature.  The two main elements are easy, togetherness and great food

2.       Orchards

  May sound strange but picking fruit in an orchard is a very hyggelig thing to do. Picking apples, plums or any fruit with friends can be great fun and some places even give you the opportunity to make your own cider or jam. There are apparently many ‘pick your own’ farms across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you are from none of these countries there may still be these places, I’m just talking about ones mentioned in the ‘Little Book of Hygge’

3.       Barbeque

Everyone loves a barbeque, even if it does have a reputation for bringing rain. This is a very easy way to brig friends and family together. People often get stuck into to helping with a barbeque and while you’re waiting for it to do its thing, garden games are great fun. If you have a small garden, set up a board game.

4.       Community Garden

  I confess that this means nothing to me. Gardening is not my thing and I don’t really see the appeal of a community garden but that is just me. If there’s not one around, you can start one up. It is a way of bringing a little joy and community spirit into towns and cities. It has become fairly popular so do a little research and stretch your green fingers

5.

          Picnics

  Picnics are great and, weather permitting, are something not restricted to the summer. We think picnics in summer simply because it’s usually the time the weather is most likely to be on our side. A way to probably make it a little different is to take your basket to the beach. Either with a group, your family or just one person, it’s a pleasant day out which takes very little effort.

6.       Cycling*

   It’s clean, fun and good for you. Cycle around. Around your city, town, village, park, anywhere and everywhere. A cargo bike is a good thing to have for children and pets, but just cycling with another person is a good way to get a little summer hygge. If you don’t have a bike, many places, especially specifically good for cycling, hire them out.

If none of these are appealing, buy some cider and invite your friends over for a break and a chat. Just be together and have a hyggelig summer.

*A post on cycling/ bikes and their relationship to hygge is in the works

  

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with The Insitute of Happiness, Copenhagen or it's employees, Meik Wiking, The Times, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Any misinformation or opinions posted on this site are those of the author only. Copyright infringement of any kind is unintended. 

A Hygge Christmas

As a nation, more and more of us seem to be getting into Hygge. As such, it always helps to have a little guidance. As it is November and we are all gearing up for Christmas (and all the stress that comes with it) here are some tips on how to put a little Hygge into the festive season.

Fairy lights and candles. As many of you know, a big part of Hygge is to do with atmosphere and lighting. Fairy lights and Christmas candles are perfect. If you want to try something a little different than stringing the lights through your home (or you have a cat) try putting them in mason jars for a beautiful effect. As for candles, put some tea lights into glass jars. If you have a hearth, put a couple of church candles either side. Also, as we are not Danes, break out the scented candles, there are Christmas themed ones which make your home smell like many festive things, including fresh cookies.

Cosy socks. Many people in this country define Hygge as cosiness, so dig out your thick comfy socks. I love my thick cosy socks. If you don’t have any, go invest in some. Splash out on cashmere, find fluffy slippers, wrap those feet in a bit of cosiness.

Electronics. Turn them off, an hour won’t hurt. Whilst we love to settle down and watch a Christmas film or TV (you missed the Doctor Who Christmas special in our house and you were shamed) it shouldn’t be what you do all day. Switch of your TV, laptop, pc, tablets and phones. Hygge is about togetherness. One of the emphasises of Hygge is spending time with your family. Play a board game or cards. Easier these days now we have the beauty of catch-up. ‘We’ time, rather than ‘me’ time.

Outside. Put on your woollies and go for a family walk. Winter walks were one of my favourite past times as a child. And of course, this opens the door to three more great ways to Hygge up your holiday.

Drinks. We, the English, are a nation of tea drinkers it’s true. Americans seem to favour coffee; we all like our warm beverages. So let’s break out our big, oversized, hardly ever used cups and fill them with hot chocolate. The perfect drink to warm you up after a winter walk. Now we can top this with many things; whipped cream, chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, edible glitter. There was a place I used to frequent which served great hot chocolate and if you asked for it with everything, they put a flake in it. A flake! A Cadbury’s milk chocolate flake. I’m going to do that this year.  Also, for the adults who like something stronger, add a little rum or whiskey.

Fire. Another way to warm up is to light a fire. That was what I love about staying at my Grandmother’s in cold weather, she has a real fireplace. We sent our letters to Santa the old fashioned way thanks to that. Many of us don’t have this these days, so put together your fairy lights in jars or, and this is a real thing, pop on a log fire DVD. Apparently this is very effective and people find it soothing. Of course it won’t keep you warm, but I believe that is what central heating, blankets and hot chocolate are for.

 Books. As spending time with the family is a big part of Hygge, snuggle up on the couch with your little ones and read ‘Stick Man’, or ‘The Night Before Christmas’ anything you can read aloud and enjoy together. A good way to all relax and calm yourselves down at the end of a day or after a walk. A way to feel warm and hyggelig.

Friends. Hygge is about togetherness so invite your friends and family over for some mulled wine and mince pies. Unless you invite me, I’ll go for mulled wine and company. Not a mince pie fan. If you’re not into mulled wine or don’t feel up to heating a pan of it, get some sherry. Just as Christmassy. To keep it cosy, enforce a dress code, it’s Christmas jumper time!

Cooking. The food is always an important and stressful part of Christmas. So, if you haven’t got one already, invest in a slow cooker. Before and after the day, permeate your home with the smell of a casserole, or stew, or poached pears. With all the ingredients thrown in and left to cook, not only is it less stressful, it gives you more time to spend with your loved ones.

There you have it, a Hygge Christmas. Now of course you should try for a bit of hygge all the time and some of these tips aren’t exclusive to Christmas, but they can add a little magic to what, for us old ones at least, can be a stressful and tiring time. So slip on the cosy socks, cuddle up with the family in front of a fire, sip that hot chocolate, relax and have a Hyggelig Christmas!

Introduction to Hygge

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) has many definitions. A lot of people say it's 'cosiness' but it loses a lot if you simply translate it that way. We don't really have a word for it, though it associated with happiness. Explaining what exactly Hygge is, is difficult. Like happiness, it is different for different people but it is associated with being comfortable and content, either with loved ones or alone.
  It can be called the ultimate 'me time' (although ideally it involves 'we' time). Cutting yourself off from the world for a while and just being content. The abscence of anoyyance, cosy togetherness and the favourite of Meik Wiking (author of 'The Little Book Of Hygge') cocoa by candlelight. Hygge is about atmosphere and experience.

Denmark is, reportedly, the happiest country in the world. It is also the country where the Happiness Research Institute is based. Lots are confused as to why, it rains 179 days of the year, summers are short and the citizens are subject to some of the highest tax rates in the world.
  Like lots of things, and in a great part happiness, it is a question of perspective. the Danes see taxes as investing in ther society, there is great support for the Welfare State as they believe, rightly in my opinion, that the welfare model turns their collective wealth into well-being.

 So, why are the Danes so happy? Why is Denmark the happiest country in the world while other countries seem to be full of unhappy, unfufilled people? Is it all just persepective? Well to answer that last question, perhaps it is, in part. But happiness is not a switch you can flick on and off. It's not something you can sustain by taking 15 minutes out of your day to drink a cup of tea whilst staring at a candle. So, let us learn from the Danes and learn about Hygge and how to achieve it.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with The Insitute of Happiness, Copenhagen or it's employees, Meik Wiking, The Times, Penguin Books or Printer Trento. Any misinformation or opinions posted on this site are those of the author only. Copyright infringement of any kind is unintended.