Autumnal Hygge

HYGGE – (Pronounced Hoo-ga)

This is a Danish word that cannot be summed up easily and is often referred to as a feeling rather than something that you can name, so it’s unsurprising that there is no direct translation, but it has been referred to as, ‘a mood of cosiness, a quiet comfort and a feeling of contentment and joy.’ The Scandinavian countries are classed as some of the happiest in the world, ranking consistently in the top 10 every year, with Finland holding the top spot for the past 6 years. Perhaps surprisingly with the lack of daylight in the dark winter months, so instead we can all take a leaf out of their book. Autumn is a perfect time for us to build our hygge. The dark damp days are drawing in and we need to look for things to give us the joy and lightness that the summer months tend to bring. The thing with hygge is that it differs for everyone. Here we look at some simple ways to bring you a sense of contentment and well-being while boosting your endorphins and de-stressing!

Food & Drink

Of course, feeling content and well can have an awful lot to do with our diets. We recommend hearty, simple meals that don’t require a day slaving over a stove. A simple filling soup with freshly baked bread can give you a much-needed vitamin boost while warming and satisfying you. A comfort food classic such as a slow-cooked stew packed with fresh ingredients can be enjoyed by your friends and family without too much effort spent cooking, giving you the feeling of joy and comfort in spending time with the people you love. Of course, if you feel able you can always try to bake your own fresh bread as an accompaniment. Hygge drinks likewise are comforting and to be savoured. Not a smoothie grabbed on your way out of the door, a plastic bottle of water or a rushed takeaway coffee or tea in a paper cup. You need to enjoy the feeling that the drink will bring, such as an indulgent hot chocolate on a cold day. A pot of freshly brewed coffee enjoyed with a freshly baked danish pastry always gets our vote. Others prefer refreshing cups of warm teas, of which we know there are so many to choose from. Then of course there are the warming mulled wines and ciders that you can enjoy in the company of friends. The choice of course is personal to you. Having a warming cup that fits perfectly in your hands can be a simple joy in itself.

Home comforts

As the cold, damp evenings draw in many of us retreat into our homes. This is THE place to be hygge! Keep things de-cluttered as much as possible, giving you the space to relax. Layer up the sofa with snuggly throws, have soft lighting in the home and finally - light your candles. After warm drinks candles are most linked to hygge. The Scandinavians keep things as natural as possible, so don’t worry about scented candles, just the flicker from good beeswax candles will help set the mood. Of course, we do love a good, scented candle, so go for whatever works for you, after all, hygge is different for everyone. We particularly enjoy pumpkin spice’s warm, comforting scent this time of year. There is nothing better than grabbing an old favourite book or a crisp new one with its distinctive new book smell, to enjoy nuzzled under your blanket.

Crisp clean bedding to fall into at the end of the day is, without doubt, a joy. Enjoy a soak in the bath or a shower with your favourite natural products to help you relax, feel more content and sleep easier. Importantly switch off the TV and stay away from your phone. Enjoy the peace and saviour the calm away from day-to-day life. What could be more hygge! The luxury of being at peace without daily distractions.

Exercise

We all know the benefits exercise brings to our life, with the added mental health benefits alongside the health benefits. When we talk about exercise in the sense of hygge it’s not just about hitting the gym and doing your minimum 30 mins to tick the box, but it is more about the enjoyment and feelings that it produces. A stroll in nature, wrapped up on a crisp chilly morning can bring you a sense of contentment and an endorphin rush whilst being gentle on your body. Enjoy being in your surroundings and take pleasure from the sights, sounds and smells that are produced in nature. A gentle stroll is also a good time to catch up with a friend and enjoy each other’s company. Walking isn’t the only exercise that you can do, Tai Chi and Yoga can be gentle, and some classes specialise in chairbased gentle exercise too. Remember it’s about looking after your health and well-being whilst feeling de-stressed and contented.