If you pay close attention to the self-help and self-care industries, you’ve probably come across the term “Hygge” once or twice. It’s becoming hard to avoid it, even if you don’t follow these industries. The biggest question that I had when I first saw this term was, what is Hygge, and how does it relate to self-care?
In Denmark, people enjoy a hygge lifestyle that involves creating a moment of coziness, especially in the wintertime when it is cold. Denmark has long and cold winters, but the residents want to spend a lot of time with their relatives and friends, so everyone tries to have enjoyable hygge moments that will create a feeling of warmth.
Have Candlelight in Your Home
If you live in Denmark, then you will rarely find scented candles on display in a home, but you will see unscented lit candles instead. Most Danish people have a lot of plain white candles throughout a home, and they light the candles to create a cozy ambiance. The unscented candles are lit throughout the day and are in every room of a home. Look for plain white candles at a local store, and place the items in candleholders throughout your home to create a cozy atmosphere. Soy, beeswax, and vegetable-wax based candles that are 100% (not blended with paraffin) are your best options for clean burning.
Cook Your Favorite Comfort Foods
You can overcome the feeling of darkness in the winter by cooking your favorite comfort foods. You might want to have a warm bowl of cauliflower macaroni and cheese, or you might prefer butternut squash and pear ginger soup. To increase the feelings of coziness, you will invite your friends to your home to enjoy a potluck buffet of comfort foods. You can also have a cooking party to learn how to prepare the most popular comfort foods from Denmark.
Create a Quiet Oasis Inside Your Home
It is also a good idea to have a quiet oasis inside your home where you can rest and relax after a stressful day at work. This cozy area might be a window seat that is filled with soft pillows and a warm blanket so that you can read your favorite book. Alternatively, you might have a quiet area in your living room or bedroom that makes you feel peaceful and cozy.
Visit a Nearby Cafe
On the weekends, you should have a favorite cafe to visit with your friends where you can sit for hours talking about nothing while drinking cups of coffee and eating delicious desserts. While spending time with your friends, you may have an intense feeling of contentment or coziness, making it a hygge moment.
Enjoy a Favorite Hobby in the Winter
If you don’t have time for a hobby during the other seasons, then you will have time in the winter. Choose a hobby that you can enjoy at home or with your friends. You might want to learn how to knit in the winter, and this is a hobby that you can take with you to a friend’s home. Alternatively, you might want to learn more about collecting coins from around the world, or you may want to learn more about woodworking.
Hygge is all about taking better care of yourself and creating a cozy, relaxing environment. It should bring you more joy and comfort without having too many rules. You don’t need to be from Denmark to have hygge moments, and with these winter self-care tips, you can also feel cozier during a snow/wind/rainstorm.
RECIPE
SWEET POTATO BREAKFAST BOWL
Serves 2
2 sweet potatoes*
1 cup vanilla dairy-free yogurt
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 pear, chopped
½ cup raisins
*To save time, roast the sweet potatoes the night before, then serve them at room temperature the following day.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place sweet potatoes on a baking pan. Pierce with a fork and place in the oven for 40 minutes. When sweet potatoes are done, remove them from the oven. Pierce the center of sweet potatoes with a fork. If they pierce easily, they are done. If the fork is resisting, then put the sweet potatoes back in the oven for another 10 minutes.
Mix the yogurt, protein powder, and chia seeds together. Slit the sweet potatoes lengthwise and top with the yogurt mixture, chopped pear, and raisins.
To Your Health,
Patti
