Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world. Its citizens never seem to be in a hurry, nor are they stressed out. How do they achieve this? Most Danes attribute their state of happiness and contentment to a concept known as hygge. It invokes feelings of friendliness and joy. Hygge seeks to connect your inner self to the world. It helps you find the deeper meaning of life by appreciating and enjoying the little and simple luxuries that life has to offer.
Here is how most Danes afford the little luxuries that money can’t buy:
Spend quality time with your loved ones
The best things in life are free. You lose nothing by hanging out with your friends and family. In fact, bonding with your loved ones makes you gain happiness, which is worth much more than gold. You can’t buy real happiness, can you? Spending time with the people who know us best…the ones we can be ourselves with. The ones that we love and appreciate, can invoke a feeling of comfort and happiness. Have your friends come over to your home. Make sure that you sit down and share a meal together. Friends and families that eat together, remain happy together.
Sit next to a roaring log fire
There is no doubt that a flickering fire makes our space feel intimate. The feeling that comes from sitting next to a roaring fire is incomparable. It evokes feelings of warmth and coziness, even during the coldest seasons. Hearing the sound of burning logs crackle and pop, lifts your spirits. It makes you connect to nature.
Make and serve hot beverages
When you want to elevate your spirits, make your tea kettle and your espresso coffee making machine your best friends. Hot drinks are associated with hygge. Hot brews brighten up our world. If you visit Copenhagen, the happiest country’s capital, you can’t help but notice the numerous cafés that have mushroomed on every street corner. 85% of Danes owe their sense of comfort and joy to consuming hot drinks.
Light it up
Denmark is the top candle consuming country in Europe. The Danes believe that candles are crucial for creating an inviting atmosphere that is hygge lit. Lighting up candles in your patios and gardens makes you feel cozy, even on the gloomiest nights.
Make simple nourishing food
Cooking simple meals is a hygge-friendly activity. Teaching and giving your loved ones the secret recipes that were passed down from generation to generation, brings along a feeling of unity and a sense of belonging. Preparing a meal with your loved ones doesn’t have to involve cooking with secret recipes though. Keeping it simple works just as well. You can make simple meals that do not require much of your attention or time during preparation. Simple soup dishes or roast chicken are good examples.
Bring outside decoration to your home
Nature brings along a happy and healthy lifestyle. Just like taking a walk through a nature park makes us connect with the wild, bringing products of nature to our homes for decoration purposes, has the same results. Flowers, wooden floors and exposed stone walls make our environment seem more natural, which is an aspect that stimulates happiness and joy within us.
Read a book
Cozy up under your blanket with a hot cup of cocoa and a new paperback book is just so hygge. Books are portals to other worlds. They let your mind escape to a story, and depending on the book, this can be a very calming and enriching experience. It has to be a proper book though!
Put away your electronics
Make your life more hygge by putting away your phone and other electronics for a few hours each day. Hygge means staying connected to people and nature around you, not to the online world.
Decorate with neutrals
Hygge is all about sticking to a neutral palette when it comes to decorating your home. All objects in the room should exude harmony and peace. Don’t use anything overwhelming. Instead, opt for light grey, cream, brown and white.
Remove clutter
Before adding any more candles and fluffy blankets to your room to make it more Hygge, remove the items you aren’t using. If your space is small, then removing unnecessary items becomes even more important. Fill your room with things that bring you joy and then add objects of hygge here and there. Try some cozy throws, candles and books.
The point is that if you want to bring more happiness and joy to your life, try to be more hygge. It’s not just an important part of your own health and happiness, but also those around you.
Related Articles:
5 HABITS THAT CAN HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
8 TIPS TO BECOME SUPER PRODUCTIVE
FOCUS ON ONE GOAL AT A TIME TO SUCCEED
