I realized that I didn’t need a fake sick day. What I really needed was more hygge in my life. In case you’ve never heard of it, “hygge” (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish practice and mindset of creating warmth and comfort from within to improve one’s well-being. Considering that Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, it’s certainly a mindset worth paying attention to. To learn more about the connection between hygge and happiness, I talked with psychologists familiar with the practice as well as a coziness consultant.
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Leslie Sanders, PsyD, says that there are several reasons why hygge—nurturing coziness and comfort—can support happiness. “One of the key characteristics of hygge is spending quality time with family and friends. Be it sharing a meal together, having a heart-to-heart talk or simply being with someone, these activities strengthen bonds and instill a sense of social identification. Relational research reinforces that social ties have an important bearing on emotional health, which adds to happiness and life satisfaction in the long run,” she says.
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Hygge is the antithesis to the busyness American culture thrives on. “Many people spend so much time chasing happiness, but hygge shows that it’s often found in the simplest things,” says therapist Michelle English, LCSW. “To practice it, you need to slow down, be present and really soak in the moment. This can contribute to happiness because it helps you feel relaxed, content and at peace without needing anything extravagant to get there,” she says.
How To Integrate Hygge Into Your Life
Amber Brandt is a coziness consultant. Her job is literally to help people integrate more coziness into their lives. Like English, she believes hygge is connected to happiness because it’s the opposite of hustling and being constantly busy. “Our society often rewards achievement, amassing wealth and hustling our way to the top. But countless studies have proven that acquiring more doesn’t provide greater joy or contentment. I think that’s why hygge is so grounding,” she says. “It’s counter-cultural because it gives our hearts what they truly want: a sense of connection with others, an escape from stress and plenty of rest, comfort and pleasure.”
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As Dr. Sanders highlighted, Brandt says that hygge is all about connection. With this in mind, she says to think about meaningful actions you can do for others, such as making them a card, bringing them something to eat or inviting them over for a cup of tea.
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Sources
Dr. Leslie Sanders, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and Program Director of AToN CenterMichelle English, LCSW, executive clinical manager at Healthy Life RecoveryAmber Brandt, coziness consultant Read More Details
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