When the days get shorter and the temperatures plummet, it can feel like the world around us is hibernating. But fear not! There’s a Danish concept that might just be the answer to our winter blues: Hygge.
Pronounced “Hugh-gah,” Hygge is the age-old Danish art of fulfillment and savouring life amidst the everyday grind during the colder months.
Psychologist Laura Love puts it perfectly: “It’s a Danish philosophy encompassing togetherness, cosiness and prioritising living well in those winter months. The Danes have it down pat because we often hear that they’re the happiest people in the world. Basically, it’s got a lot of components of mindfulness and self-care and kindness.”
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In a world that can often feel flashy, artificial, and disposable, cultivating Hygge has never been more important. It’s about creating a sanctuary of comfort and joy, a refuge from the harshness of winter and the chaos of daily life.
Love suggests creating a cozy environment at home, “It’s definitely about adapting and personalising our spaces so that we can live well. So maybe that is having a little book nook that the kids can retreat to with lots of cushions and pillows.”
And if your home has a fireplace, it’s time to use it. “When I lived in Tassie reading by the fire was a great example of Hygge. Fires were a nice perk and I think the Danes have a lot of fireplaces over there, which really does create such a beautiful atmosphere in our home. If you don’t have a fireplace maybe light some candles or use lamps for low lighting. We know that low lighting can be very calm inducing in our homes,” she says.
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But it’s not about locking yourself away and hibernating solo. Hygge is about more than just physical warmth; it’s about emotional and psychological warmth too. It’s a way to create a sense of belonging and comfort, which can be a powerful antidote to the isolation and gloom that winter can bring. By embracing Hygge, we can foster a sense of community and support, helping us all to feel a little less alone and a lot more content.
“Togetherness is a big part of Hygge building narratives and stories, sharing all the ‘do you remember the time we did this or that together?’ and steering clear of controversial topics where prioritising connection and harmony is kind of above everything else. It’s about relaxing and sharing connection with each other, which can be so healing. We know genuine social connection is so great for us,” says Love.
However, she warns some people really struggle in the darker months and we should look out for them. “For some people there are things like seasonal affected disorder, interestingly, the acronym for that is SAD.
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“But it’s more than just the winter blues. That’s a kind of depression that can kind of occur at the same time every year when there’s typically less sunlight. There are lot of treatments for that involving light therapy, exercise, medications sometimes, but that’s pretty rare,” she says. So, keep an eye on your loved ones if they are withdrawing more than usual.”
Love highlights the positive mental health aspect of Hygge. “There are so many ways that we can actually look forward to winter as well, and that’s what Hygge is proposing. There’s a quiet beauty that can come from the weather not being as great outside and us having to withdraw from maybe being as busy we usually are for most of the year.”
“Living and working in Tassie for a long time I did notice we as Australians we can complain about the weather when it’s cold,” she says, “But maybe we can actually look forward to going inward and being cosy and cultivating that time in a different way.”
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“If we’re embracing Hygge then we’re wanting to relax and have lay low time and kind of chill in our home and kind of recoup and replenish ourselves,” she says. “Low lighting and comforting spaces really help us to reflect and prepare for those times when we’re making hay while the sun shines in.
“Some of those warmer months can be really important for us. Not everything in nature blooms all year round, and so learn how can we create a space within our homes and in our lives where we can retreat and reflect.
“Then when we do get back out there and are more active and taking more action in our lives, we’ll appreciate that we’ve taken that downtime to really rebuild ourselves,” she says.
So, this winter, let’s embrace this Danish delight and bring a little Hygge into our lives. Light some candles, gather your loved ones, and create a cosy haven of warmth and togetherness. Because sometimes, the simplest things can make the biggest difference.
If you or someone you know is struggling mentally contact Lifeline on 131114
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