The Danish Secret To Happiness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Danish Secret To Happiness

Stay calm and hygge.

330
The Danish Secret To Happiness
Unsplash

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.

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1217
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

734
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199880
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20678
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments