Living A Hygge Lifestyle
How to live a happy life? Yoga, meditation, crystal ceremonies, music ... the answers are endless. Who has the secret?
The book How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life, written by Norwegian food writer Signe Johansen, offers happiness as comfort: "Make yourself at home. Perhaps put the kettle on for a cup of tea, or pour yourself a Scotch and curl up somewhere you can be left undisturbed for a little while."
With several dozen books written on the trend, (Pronounced "hoo-ga") Hygge has overtaken the mindful set with many adopting it's lifestyle tropes. Simply put - Hygge is the Danish obsession with getting cozy. It derives from a sixteenth-century Norwegian term, hugga, meaning “to comfort” or “to console,” which is related to the English word “hug.” It’s wholesome and nourishing, like porridge.
Okay, so how do you live a 'cozy' life without literally wrapping yourself in fleece while drinking tea?
"It's about making the best of all the little breaks or moments we have during the day, savouring the intermission " - Danish chef and cookbook author Trine Hahnemann.
‘Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience rather than about things,’ adds Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute. ‘It is about being with the people we love, a feeling of home, that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and can allow ourselves to let our guard down.’
Seeking a warm space makes sense in the winter, but it's not season specific; summer hygging could include picnics in the park, backyard dinner parties, bonfires on the beach and outdoor movie nights.
Appreciating the quiet moments, clustering with kin, embracing comfort and creating a warm cozy atmosphere seems like it's could really foster authentic happiness. Who's ready to Hygge this weekend? Achieve instant hygge at home by lighting a few candles - the TO112 Candles are non-toxic, so light as many as you like and relax Nordic style!
