This winter, cozy up with the idea of hygge — a warm atmosphere and lifestyle embraced by many Danish people. Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know about hygge and how you can incorporate it in your everyday life.
Key Insights
- Hygge is not just a trend. It’s a way of life that can extend well past the winter months.
- Danish people are said to be some of the happiest in the world, perhaps due to hygge.
- Hygge isn’t complicated; it’s about fully enjoying every simple moment. This is good news — it means you can easily tweak your current lifestyle to better reflect the principles of hygge.
What is hygge?
Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the Danish lifestyle of warmth, coziness and simplicity. The Danes believe in discovering happiness in the here and now, by enjoying every moment with good things — and even better people.
Why is hygge perfect for a MN or WI winter?
Rather than withstanding the winter, we can embrace it! Denmark — the country where hygge originates — is notorious for its harsh winters. And yet, the Danish people have found a way to not only survive the season, but also cherish it.
Winter in the Midwest is the perfect time to begin discovering the charm of a hygge lifestyle. Instead of complaining that it’s too cold to do anything, we too can relish the opportunity to stay indoors and focus on the small and meaningful things we enjoy, and the people we love to spend time with.
What is hygge? What isn’t hygge?
You don’t have to reconfigure your whole life to create hygge. Instead, consider these small tweaks to your everyday routines and downtime activities.
Hygge: Cuddling up on the couch with your family, watching a beloved movie.
Not hygge: Binge-watching TV alone all day.
Hygge: Inviting a few close friends over for an intimate fondue party.
Not hygge: Hosting an impersonal party with 30 guests that you don’t have time to chat with.
Hygge: Calling up an old friend and settling in for a long catch-up session.
Not hygge: Sending a five-paragraph email instead.
Hygge: Baking your grandma’s top-secret shortbread cookies.
Not hygge: Mixing water with a package of brownie mix from a box.
Hygge: Playing board games on a snowy day in with your family.
Not hygge: Having a daylong video game competition with strangers across the country.
Hygge: Filling your home with the warm aroma of holiday-scented candles.
Not hygge: Diffusing aerosol spray throughout the house to “freshen things up.”
Hygge: Investing in a few cozy winter scarves and knit sweaters.
Not hygge: Splurging on clothes during a multi-hour shopping spree at the mall.
Hygge: Savoring a cup of hot cocoa for a nighttime treat.
Not hygge: Scarfing down the last batch of holiday cookies before someone else eats them up.
Savor a hygge-style winter with your loved ones this year — and don’t be surprised if you end up loving it so much that you carry your hygge habits over into the new year!
Need a home where you can hygge?
Ready to hunker down (and snuggle up) this winter? Or are you planning to move to a warmer climate so you don’t have to break out the wool socks ever again? Whether you’re buying, selling or dreaming, contact Edina Realty to get connected with a REALTOR® who can help you with what’s next.
