Hygge Vibes: Lessons in Self-care from the Danish Art of Coziness

The world around us is changing- the days are getting shorter, and the air is getting colder. The deciduous (and deciduously behaving conifer) trees among us are firing off their grand finales with bright explosions of yellow, gold, and crimson before they return to their dormant state to wait out the long winter. As we notice these changes in the world, it’s important to realize that we are more than just observers- that we are part of this world and that we are participating in these changes ourselves. This can be an empowering thought, because just as the Clark’s Nutcrackers prepare for the long winter by filling up their caches with seeds from white bark pine, we can be intentional about how we prepare for the colder months and how we care for ourselves.

So, knowing that we have agency in preparing for winter, how can we go about improving our well-being right now? For an answer, I suggest borrowing from the now famous Danish concept of Hygge [pronounced hyoo-guh]. It’s a word that has no direct English translation, but that is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”. Fun fact: it was even a finalist in the Oxford Dictionary’s “word of the year” contest in 2016.

Long, cold, and dark winters are something that Montana and Scandinavia have in common, so it would be helpful for us to look to their traditions and wisdom for inspiration and guidance.

While Hygge emphasizes coziness and making your home comfortable, it does not mean that we need to go dormant all winter like the trees to make it through till spring. To get a better idea of the spirit of Hygge, picture this: you’ve just finished cross-country skiing (or ice skating, walking in the woods, or nailing that corked 720 that you’ve been working on in the terrain park), and you arrive at your friend’s house where you light a fire (or some candles), put on that pair of sweatpants that you’re emotionally bonded to, and enjoy each other’s company while sipping tea, listening to the fire crackle, and smelling cardamom buns baking in the oven.

Now, I know that every day can’t be as idyllic as that because you’ve got to go to work, the kids need help with their homework, and there are always just a few more emails to respond to, right? Let’s just break down the elements of Hygge and think about small ways to incorporate them into our unique daily lives.

Community: Meet with friends for coffee; organize a crock-pot potluck; host or attend an arts and crafts night (or a music or board game night); take the kids and their friends sledding; go on adventures.

Coziness: Take some time to make your space comfortable and cozy; treat yourself to a new pair of wool socks; stock up on herbal tea and candles as they go on sale; make a relaxing Spotify playlist.

Moderation: Enjoy baked goods and hearty foods, but not in excess; cut back on drinking; don’t take the coziness too far and never leave your house!

Intimacy: Make time to connect with loved ones; ask deep questions; listen to one another; share something that you’re struggling with; share something that brings you joy.

Simplicity: Create dedicated time away from technology; slow down and notice things; spend the time to cook at home (and then eat leftovers for the week!).

We all come from different backgrounds, and we all have different needs, interests, and means, but hopefully this piece has sparked some ideas in you that are accessible and that will improve your well-being not only today, but through the winter and into the spring, when the larches poke out their neon green needles like freshly dyed spiked hair at a punk concert, ready to rock.

By Jeff Garrettson