How To Hygge This Autumn

With the pandemic and many of us facing even stricter restrictions it’s easy for our mental health to suffer. Especially as we see our loved ones less, spending more time indoors and the financial implications this has on many families. As well as many families worrying about the health of loved ones affected by the virus.

This week I wanted to come to you and offer you some hygge inspiration to get through this difficult time. To begin with lets go back to looking at what hygge is? It’s been a popular buzz word over the last few years- especially linking it to home interiors or how to celebrate Christmas in a hygge way. Hygge does include interiors and Christmas but there is actually more to it than that.

Hygge is all about embracing a feeling of cosiness, warmth and togetherness. Learning how to take the simple everyday ordinary and make it feel wonderful. Like the quiet few moments you take to watch the flame of a candle dance around as you hug a mug of tea! Or its going out for a walk in the wind and rain and then coming back inside and getting cosy. It’s a big part of the Danish way of living that brings greater positivity and a better mindset for dealing with the difficult moments in life. In fact Danes report on feeling hygge the most when something negative is happening around them. For example getting cosy inside when there is a snow storm outside. To really feel and appreciate hygge we need to get used to living in the present and it’s also important to note here that Hygge feels different for everyone- it really is unique. The things that light us up as

I believe that embracing Hygge is another way that we can get through the potentially difficult months ahead. I’m going to share three things that you could try today, this weekend, or over half term to start feeling happier now.

Living under the Bradford local authority we’ve been living under tight restrictions now for the last few months. Which has been tough at times- not spending time with those we love, not seeing our friends and their brand new babies and seeing elderly relatives who are in care homes. Although in some ways the lockdown has not changed too much for my normal life. So our typical weekends have involved catching up with Monty Don on Gardeners World. Enjoying a slow feast of a breakfast followed by a long walk. If your local to me (although I also appreciate that we have many listeners all around the world) then we’ve enjoyed walks through Saltaire and along the canal to Bingley as well as some lovely moorland walks. We’ve used this time to do lots of baking and trying out some different home cooked recipes- my favourite is a gumbo that we’ve perfected in our slow cooker! I’ve then done so much reading- which is always something I enjoy but never made enough time to do this in the past. I’ve just got into a series of books called the Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley and I’m hooked!

Bake

Apple and maple cakes, cinnamon buns, parkin which is a traditional ginger cake, or even be super prepared and bake your Christmas fruit cake for December. Nothing beats the sweet smell of baking filling your kitchen and it really does give you that warm fuzzy feeling. Especially when you can be rewarded by your efforts with a slice of something sweet afterwards. Or share it with neighbours.

Bring some nature inside

Having a connection to nature is so important for our wellbeing. The Danes love to keep this connection all year long by bringing it into their home. During my travels around Scandinavia I’ve often noticed the simple yet beautiful ways nature is embraced. Some moss, twigs and berries on a window sill, some flowers from the garden picked and displayed in a bud vase or jam jar or an autumn leaf garland on the fire place. During my time in Canada I have also noticed this to be very true too. With handcrafted seasonal wreaths on the door, displays of autumnal vegetables and natural table decorations.  When it comes to bringing the colour inside we want to be thinking about the beautiful warming colours of  brunt oranges, red, browns and yellows. You might also decide to include some ever greens too.

Lighting

The flames of a fire dancing around are rather magical and very calming on our senses. Why not switch off the those big over head lights and go for lamps, fairy lights and lanterns. When I travelled around Iceland a few winters ago I loved the way lanterns filled with fairy lights were placed outside the shops and homes to light the way on a cold dark night. You can also light your home with the glow of a scented candle. These really do enhance the hygge feeling as your sat with your warmed drink of chamomile, hot chocolate, tea or even a spiced apple drink.

Move

Exercise the Danish way- as science shows us that moving our body every day makes us happier. Exercise also balances out the sweet treats you’ve maybe indulged in too! The Danes prefer to get into Nature- go for a jog in your local park or a woodland walk instead of working out in gyms. You might also decide to have a calming workout indoors- perhaps some yoga in a space with soft lighting or a salt lamp.

Write it down

I love making lists and writing things down in my notebook. I find that writing a list of all the lovely things I want to do in Autumn/ Winter helps with positivity too. Maybe it’s recipes you want to try, a restaurant you want to order out from, a job in the garden (building a bird house),  trying pumpkin spiced drinks. Put these wonderful ideas in the front of your mind.

Kimberly x

To learn more on Hygge and how we can use it to bring more happiness to your life click here