How to have more hygge in your life

In an era of hyperstimulation, the Danish philosophy of hygge continues to present an alluring opportunity to melt into coziness and the comforts of home. For those looking to cultivate a sense of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), here are a few tips for centering togetherness, relaxation and your own well-being.

Cultivate coziness

Hygge is all about atmosphere, which for many Danes means a bevy of candles and dim lighting. Cultivating a space to maximize your comfort level will be largely subjective, but at the core of this philosophy is playing up the cozy vibes, down to what you wear. "You can't be hygge in rigid denim, after all," Vogue said. The Danes even have a word for the clothing you put on in these instances: hyggebukser. It refers to "those pants that you would never wear outdoors but are so comfortable that they are probably secretly your favorite," Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and the author of "The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living," said in her book.

When practicing hygge, it is "important to set a calm mood," said Vogue. That can mean lighting a couple of candles; in fact, "more candles are burned per capita in Denmark than anywhere else in Europe." The golden rule is "the dimmer the light, the more hygge," Wiking said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Spend quality time with friends and family

Danish author Marie Tourell Soderberg lists "togetherness" as an essential ingredient of hygge in her book "Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness." What you choose to do with your close friends can vary, as long as it elicits the kind of support and safety you feel when you let your guard down with loved ones. These get-togethers can happen at home or anywhere that is quiet. You and your tribe may want to "celebrate the small joys of life" or maybe "discuss deeper topics," per Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "It is an opportunity to unwind and take things slow."

While hygge is "frequently associated with consumer objects like candles and blankets," most Danes maintain that "practicing a hygge lifestyle doesn't necessarily equate to buying more," said Afar magazine. Outdoor activities like "bike rides, woodland walks and stargazing" are all considered "hyggelig," the adjective form of the word. If you are stuck indoors in bad weather, you can also embrace hygge by "brewing a hot cup of coffee and calling your friends and family to chat or starting to piece together a puzzle in the living room." As long as you focus on being present in the activity and with the people around you, the essence of hygge will be there.

Embrace doing nothing without guilt

It may seem self-indulgent to pursue the goal of hygge, and you may be left feeling guilty for your lack of productivity. But sometimes, doing nothing is precisely what you need. We are "not wasting time," psychologist Patricia Ramirez said to Vogue. We are "investing in our mental health because our brain needs that rest." If we do not prioritize rest, with the "excess of information and the hyperconnectivity in which we live," our brains can get "exhausted, like when we train more than we are used to and our muscles are stiff."