What makes the Danish so happy? Is it the fairytale castles, the eco-friendly lifestyle or low perception of government corruption? Likely, all of them, but there's something else. It's called hygge (hoo-gah), and it's the lifestyle trend sweeping the globe.
Hygge is the Danish concept of creating coziness and intimacy. Everything the Danish love is hygge in some way: candles by your beside, warm knit socks on a damp winter's night, spending time with close friends by the fire. It's Pinterest-picturesque happiness.
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In a country that experiences long, cold and dark winters, it's hard to imagine (as a Florida girl), how the Danish maintain their spot as one of the happiness countries in the world. The hygge lifestyle isn't about things, according to Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and the author of "The Little Book of Hygge." It's about atmosphere and experience, Wiking wrote. Hygge plays a central role in Danish culture, interpersonal relations and even home design. Wiking contends that hygge is one of the main reasons the people are so happy.
Trend-watchers have taken notice, and hygge has become one of the top lifestyle trends of 2017.
In "The Little Book of Hygg," Wiking breaks down the lifestyle into 10 parts; what he calls the "the hygge manifesto." These 10 pillars are the jumping off point to bring the Danish concept of coziness and hominess into your every day.
1. Atmosphere
Think candles, dimmed lights and golden hour.
2. Presence
Turn off your phone, close your laptop and disconnect from the constant annoyances of the digital world.
3. Pleasure
Treat yo self. Grab your favorite tea set and brew a fresh cup of rich tea or coffee, pick up some chocolate cookies and savor the experience.
4. Equality
Share the experience with others. Hygge is better together.
5. Gratitude
Every day is a blessing.
6. Harmony
You can't hygge better than anyone else. Enjoy the presence of others; that's all you need.
7. Comfort
Oversized sweaters, chunky knit blankets with cozy socks and fluffy pillows. Relax in comfort and style.
8. Truce
Politics and hygge don't mix.
9. Togetherness
Break out a board game or favorite movie to share with others. Grow relationships with the people you care about, in the comfiest way possible.
10. Shelter
The world can break you down, let hygge build you back up.
What are you waiting for? Carve out time for hygge in your life. Start with a new candle or set of warm socks. Hygge is a mindset. You don't need to travel to Denmark to find it.
