Hygge(Hoo-ga) Noun: the art of happy living Denmark is consistently reported as one of the happiest countries in the world which is pretty surprising for a country renowned for its bad weather and some of the highest tax rates in Europe. The Danish people have perfected the art of happy living. The term used to refer to this feeling is Hygge, pronounced “Hoo-ga.” The word comes from the Norwegian word for “well-being.” However, you don’t have to be Danish to practice hygge in your daily life. Here are a few fundamentals of Hyggelig living you can put into practice now. (Maybe you already are and you didn’t know it!) Relationships: Hygge places emphasis on nurturing our most important relationships, our families being foremost. When the time rolls around to clock out at work, everything you didn’t get done will be there waiting for you tomorrow. Leave work at work, pick up the kids, go home, and prepare a meal together and discuss your day around the table. Do a puzzle, make art together, or play a game. The Danish report getting together with the same few, good, closeknit friends at least once a week. Valuing a few friends rather than many allows you to form meaningful and rewarding relationships. Light: Creating a warm and welcoming ambiance in our homes is center to hygge. What better way to accomplish this than with the flickering glow of candlelight? Each person in Denmark burns 13 pounds of candle wax annually (preferring unscented). The goal is to create great pools of light in the home that make you feel cozy and relaxed. Rather than big, bright overhead lights that seem to 66
show every speck of dust and every flaw, choose floor lamps or lanterns. They even make electric bulbs that mimic the flames of a candle that you can put in your country window lights. Fireplaces are even more Hygge! Is there really anything better than sitting by a fireplace and listening to the crackling fire with a glass of wine? Food: It’s all about comfort food. The longer it takes to cook the meal, the better! So, put a roast in the crock pot with some potatoes and veggies. Roll up your sleeves and bake some homemade bread with your kids. While you’re at it . . . whip up a cake! Hygge is about indulging and creating a feeling of contentment. Not overeating so much, but allowing oneself to enjoy life a little and not be such a stickler all the time. Picking one day a week to have a lovely slice of cake isn’t out of line, is it? When you’re all done munching, wash it all down with a mug of coffee or mulled wine. Unplug: Put your phone down, shut the laptop, and stow away the tablet. Instead, put on your favorite comfy pants, a big sweater, and snuggle up with a big blanket, a cup of tea (around that fireplace, of course) and a good book. Read The Little Blue Truck to your kids for the 300th time or look through old photo albums. Have a special movie night with your family. Trust me, there’s nothing that great happening on social media, but your family and friends are with you right now. Forge new memories that will last a lifetime. You can read more in the book: The Little Book Of Hygge by Meik Wiking.