Hygge - A Solution for the Winter Blahs?
Winter brings chilly days, dreary skies, and time stuck inside. These are a few reasons why you may find the winter months drag on and feel unpleasant.
Hygge (pronounced hue-gah), a Danish concept and cornerstone of their way of life, may have you enjoying the wintery conditions rather than dreading them!
Hygge is the art of creating a nice atmosphere and moments of pleasure daily, resulting in a feeling of comfort, togetherness, and well-being.
Imagine…
Enjoying your favorite warm drink in front of the fireplace, wrapped in a cozy blanket while reading a great novel or…
Enjoying meaningful conversation with a loved one or friend while curled up on your sofa, candles lit and the soft aroma circling the air.
These are just a few examples of hygge.
You may wonder how this concept can help you overcome the winter blahs? It is quite simple. Hygge is the daily pursuit of HAPPINESS.
The Danish are definitely on to something! Denmark has consistently been ranked one of the happiest countries in the world. When questioned why this might be, Meik Wiking CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, credited his countrymen’s happiness to having a strong sense of purpose in life and the accumulation overtime of moments that bring pleasure which leads to a higher sense of life satisfaction (1).
And the great news is, happiness positively influences our overall health!
Studies show that people who have a positive emotional style characterized by being happy, lively and calm are more likely to eat well, exercise regularly, sleep better, manage stress, get sick less often, and live longer (2, 3, 4).
During this time of year when many of us our experiencing the winter blahs, finding joy in the simple pleasures in life may help to boost your feeling of contentment until Spring comes.
What can you do to bring more hygge into your life?
