HEALTH AND WELLBEING
s a m a j y p n i t s e i p UK hap . . . k c a b e n o g e now clocks hav The UK is getting Happier – New JYSK FEEL THE HAPPINESS Survey Happiness at Home Top 20: it’s all about People, Pets, Place and Pyjamas We are getting happier – and it’s down to the Scandi practice of Hygge. The UK is happiest cuddling pets on the sofa in a clean and tidy home with all of their favourite people and things in one place according to a new survey by Scandinavian furniture retail group JYSK – and if we’re wearing pyjamas while we’re cuddling, then the happiness is complete. We are also a nation of regular cat and dog snugglers - and yes, they are allowed on the sofa. Playing with the kids also hits the top of the happiness at home table just above a love of our own beds, clean sheets and rare moments of ‘me time’ – once the kids have gone to bed. We are, says JYSK’s ‘Feel the Happiness’ Report, utterly devoted pyjama-wearers. Our homes may be our castles but we are at our happiest at home after donning fleecy night attire, comfy slippers and wrapping ourselves in a cuddly throw.
JYSK, the Danish-owned global brand selling everything for your home, devised the survey to celebrate the opening of its 2,500th store internationally - and the Scandinavians know a thing or two about happiness. Year on year Scandinavian countries dominate the top of the table for the world’s happiest nations. They put it down to a combination of things; one of them is Hygge. Hygge – the Scandinavian practice of making calming, peaceful, comfortable and beautiful spaces at home – is, says the JYSK report, having a positive effect in the UK. Hygge has gathered a huge following in British homes and we’re definitely feeling happier for it. 2017 World Happiness League Table
2013 - 15 World Happiness League Table
1. Norway 2. Denmark 3. Iceland 4. Switzerland 5. Finland 19. UK
1. Denmark 2. Switzerland 3. Iceland 4. Norway 5. Finland 23. UK
The new JYSK survey, which asked 30,000 followers of popular home and family bloggers about what makes them feel the happiness at home found that fairy lights, candles, softer accent lighting and real fires are important contributors to creating a relaxing environment. Just like our Scandinavian cousins, we are looking at lighting; greater use of natural and softer materials and appreciating time spent interacting with loved ones. Other Hygge happiness triggers include someone else – usually a partner – preparing a home-cooked dinner and sharing a glass of wine or a warming hot drink on a squishy sofa under a cuddly throw. These are some of the biggest contentment generators according to the survey. Family film nights, reading, cuddling pets on the sofa during box-set TV-series marathons (in pyjamas) were also highlighted as activities that see people happiest at home. Soft furnishings, throws, cushions and slippers were also important but having a clean and tidy home with plenty of well-thought out storage and was the number one contentment generator – as it set the perfect environment to relax. 14 | www.life-mags.com