Hygge Your Way to Happy By Elise Tecco
It can be easy to fall into the same daily cycle: wake up, get ready, go to class, eat, do work, sleep and repeat. We have all been there before: feeling like the days are blending together. While we cannot always control what happens every day, we can control how we react to it, and that can make all the difference.
Hygge Habits Taff says taking care of your mental well-being contributes to your health just as much as physical activity. One way to take care of your own well-being is to try to be more “hyggelig” (hygge-like), as the Danes say.
In 2019, the “World Happiness Report” stated that despite having a strong economy and low crime rates, the U.S. dropped in rankings for the third year in a row, becoming the 19th happiest nation on the planet.
As people in Denmark burn more candles than in any other country, follow in their footsteps and light a few candles around the room. Having the ideal mood lighting can help to create the perfect cozy and comforting setting to relax in. Take up some space in your dorm or apartment to create a “hyggekrog,” an area where you can be snug. This can be as simple as a couch with a warm, fluffy blanket. Dressdown at home in comfort with “hyggebuksers,” or baggy pants, which can just mean throwing on your favorite pair of sweats. Danes also value homemade meals like Swedish meatballs, oatmeal and pastries — so try to take some time daily to whip up a few meals yourself.
Professor John Dattilo with a Ph.D. in leisure studies at Penn State explains that we are a culture of consumerism. This can lead to feeling burnt out and unsatisfied with anything we do. One of the happiest countries, however, is Denmark. While there are many factors that contribute to their happiness, one is the concept of hygge. Pronounced “hoo-ga,” this Danish word stands for the way of life the Danes have adopted; more specifically, it describes their ability to make the mundane parts of life meaningful. History of Hygge The concept of hygge has been a part of the Danish culture since the 1800s; it helped the Danes to survive winters that hovered just above freezing with around 17 hours of darkness per day. Hygge promotes an overall feeling of coziness and comfort that contributes to one’s well-being. According to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, the Danes value hygge as a defining feature of their identity. It is a form of self-care that has taken on an integral part of their lives, similar to what freedom is to Americans. While other countries have also embraced this trend, many people do not understand what it means to live a hygge lifestyle. As the Happiness Report showed, Americans are feeling more stressed than happy. For college students in particular, it is common to be sleep deprived and to have a poor diet. While we need to work to make a living, it should not be the sole focus of our lives, especially if it is diminishing our joy. Hygge and Happiness Some people may roll their eyes at the concept of self-care, thinking they do not have time for it. But to the Danes, hygge is so much more than putting on a soothing face mask and calling it a night. It is a way of life. Recreation, park, and tourism management professor Derrick Taff, who specializes in the study of leisure, commented that hygge and leisure activities are interconnected because of their ability to improve our well-being. “Generally, when people reflect upon their state of happiness, most of the time they are pursuing leisure,” Taff says. “The things that make people happy typically involve some sort of activity that they are intrinsically motivated to do. Yet, we sometimes forget to make time for it in our day.” Professor Dattilo further defines leisure as having the freedom to do something that makes us feel comfortable and allows us to make connections — whether it be with other people or ourselves. We do things because of how they make us feel inside.
Flourish With Hygge It is important to remember that simply buying a blanket or burning candles is not going to immediately make you content. The Danes also emphasize the importance of socializing with the people you love. Professor Dattilo pointed to the work of Martin Seligman, an American psychologist who studies positive psychology and flourishing, which relies partly on having good relationships. We go beyond our happiness when we want to share this positive emotion with others. In fact, Danish chef Claus Meyer explains that when Danes sit down for a meal, they start with appetizers and then go out for a two-hour walk before eating the main meal. While a two-hour walk may be a bit much when you have homework to complete, simply taking your time while you eat and laughing with others can be a way to bring hygge into your life. Spending time in nature — feeling the fresh air and cool breeze — is another way to recharge after a long day. While we do spend time outdoors when walking to class, it is a much different experience when you do not have to rush, and can peacefully take in your surroundings. “Leisure is like liquid; it permeates everything. How we react to the everyday stuff determines how we judge the quality of our life,” Dattilo says. Mindfulness is perhaps the best way to practice hygge. Eight a.m. classes can be a struggle — but what if you switched up your mindset to look forward to your favorite cup of tea or coffee in the morning? Hygge embraces the small parts of life and makes them meaningful. Give yourself more time to wake up and have a mindful morning full of things you love to do. Whether this involves making your favorite breakfast, working out, watching TV, reading or talking with a friend, find the time to do something for you. Prioritize even the smallest of things and see how big of a difference it can make. Hygge is all about slowing down and enjoying the simplicity of life. As college students, we tend to constantly be in a rush going from one class to the next. We are guilty of obsessively refreshing Instagram, scarfing down meals and isolating ourselves. Just being more mindful of your daily routine can be the first step in changing your habits. So take a step back, slow down and do something that brings you joy, no matter how small it may be. It is the perfect way to live a happy, healthy, hygge life! ■
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