Is “Hygge” the recipe for happiness?

Difficult to explain and even harder to pronounce, hygge is becoming more and more widespread around the world.

But what is this concept that is not really translated, but is fully lived?

What is Hygge?

The word "Hygge", pronounced "Hou-ga" in good Danish comes from the Norwegian language, meaning " well-being ".

He appeared for the 1^era times in Danish writings of the 18th^e century.

It should be noted that Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world according to the UN World Happiness Report. And this despite not very clement weather, inhabitants among the most taxed in the world. And yet, they are the happiest.

If we had to sum up this Scandinavian art of living, we could say that it is about giving importance to the little things in life. Especially in a daily life that can sometimes be gloomy, complicated or fast.

How does this apply in concrete terms?

According to hygge, happiness should be harvested in small doses, every day.

This would help even more to combat the lack of light and the gloom that often overcomes us in winter (so with my Quebec winters, I'm going to get serious about it!)

But this is just as applicable throughout the rest of the year of course.

This involves developing a dynamic social life, but more focused on evenings at home, surrounded by family and groups of friends.

Here we focus on minimalist and warm comfort, favoring this type of friendly moment.

DAILY LIFE

This also involves simple things like:

• A smile on the street
• When you watch your favorite movie
• A nice hot bath with a book and candles
• Wrapped up in your blanket, thick socks on your feet, with your best fleece pajamas and a good book (in front of the fireplace for the lucky ones)
• A cake that browns in the oven and fills the whole apartment with its scent
• Background music, jazzy, soothing atmosphere
• An evening with friends at home etc.

IN ITS INTERIOR

• Clean colors like gray, white or pastel that inspire serenity, a peaceful atmosphere. Which bring you back to nature.
• Noble and raw materials such as light wood for furniture, linen, ceramic for tableware
• The use of soft and subdued lighting
• Candles of course which symbolize warmth; the sight of the flame being, what is more, comforting
• Adapt a cozy space, create your own little cocooning interior
• Essential oils for their soothing properties
• Purify your interior. Yes, sorting out is no secret, it also allows you to release energies, to make them circulate and it allows you to empty your head.
• Priority to cozy clothes: pajamas, leggings, cozy wool sweaters, take advantage of this to dress comfortably

IN SUMMARY

If I had to sum up this Danish concept, I would quote the terms borrowed by Meik Wiking, president of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, in his “Book of Hygge”

• Take a break and make time for yourself
• Enjoy the present moment
• Savor the magic of light, especially that of candles
• Taking care of your loved ones
• Comfort yourself with good home-cooked meals
• Appreciate the beauty of nature
• Live every day to the fullest

So what are you waiting for? Get started!