Hygge [‘hue-gah’]

(verb/Danish)

To feel warmth, cosiness, comfort, snug: a sense of wellbeing, belonging, contentment, togetherness, intimacy, happiness.

When I first heard of Hygge I felt an instant resonance within me. I knew the feeling it captured I just never knew one word to describe it.

Hygge to me feels like home. It’s like a warm blanket, a hot cup of tea, or like being in the comfort of your mother’s arms.

Speaking of my mother, I remember being at a family gathering when I was a little girl. I played with my cousins until I was tired. Then I found her. I sat on her lap and laid against her chest. Listening to her heart, feeling her warmth and the vibrations of her voice as she spoke, I closed my eyes and rested. It was so soothing and comforting to me. That is Hygge to me.

There are different variations of this feeling and ways to create Hygge outside of resting in the haven of your mother’s arms. Here are 15 simple ways…

15 simple ways to create the Hygge experience

1. Take a walk in nature. Be present to your surroundings and engage all of you senses. If you can stop and relax while you’re at it it can be very nourishing to put your bare feet on the grass, sand, or really anywhere on the earth. I think putting my feet in the sand is my favorite. Doing this has actually been proven to lower stress, improve mood and increase self-esteem.
   
2. Book a trip. Travel! I love this one. It really gives me back my zest for life when I need it.
   
3. Get cozy under a blanket with a good book. It’s also nice to have a warm cup of tea or coffee to sip in between pages.
   
4. Sniff lavender (lol) : Seriously. It slows down the nervous system, improves sleep, lifts your mood, promotes relaxation, and it reduces anxiety. You can also sniff vanilla which elevates feelings of joy and relaxation.
   
5. Snuggle up on your couch and cuddle your kitten or puppy.
   
6. Play Mozart, listen to waves, rain or babbling brook

7. Stretch/yoga (I try to do this every morning and night and it really does give me the relaxed hygge vibes) 🤸🏽‍♀️

8. Smile more 🙂

9. Take social media and news break for 2 weeks 

10. Give back to your community or those in need. Make time for charitable works 

11. Take a relaxing bath

12. Have a purpose. Doing something you’re passionate about or just something you feel confident doing gives us structure and meaning in our lives while simultaneously allowing us to savor our down time more deeply.

13. Make time for connection. Whether that’s cuddling with your partner or spending time having fun with your best friend.

14. Journal your feelings and get really close to them. This will help you release emotional pain and give you an inner high and lightness. You could also just have a little crying session. But I find journals first helps me bring the emotions up.

15. Laugh until your stomach hurts.

I hope you enjoy these tips! What are your Hygge inducing tips? Comment down below! 🙂

Sending you Alaskan bliss,

Alex

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