Getting Cosy Could Boost Your Wellbeing

Lighting some candles, curling up under a blanket, sipping on a hot chocolate – for many, these are the ingredients for a perfect evening. And if that sounds like you, we’ve got some good news, as new research has revealed that getting snug could have real benefits for our mental health. In a study commissioned by Contura, 2,000 adults were surveyed about their lifestyles. The results showed that six in 10 believed that they ‘need’ a certain level of cosiness in their lives in order to feel good, with a further two-thirds noting the positive effect a relaxed evening has on their overall wellbeing. Considering the study, psychologist Dr Becky Spelman was unsurprised by the results.

I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured cosiness

“As a species, we are fundamentally territorial, which means for most people home is very important on an emotional as well as a practical level,” Dr Spelman explains. “During the winter months, with the long hours of darkness, it makes sense for us to want to hunker down in our ‘den’, taking care of ourselves, and the people, and things, we hold dear.” So, draw the curtains, dim the lights, and pull on your fluffiest socks, because getting snug could be the perfect way to boost your wellbeing this winter.