Hygge Nesting
Hygge Nesting
A Scandanavian ritual for creating cozy spaces and experiences.
hyg·ge
/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/
noun
a Danish and Norwegian word for quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.
If you are one of the many people who suffer from acute seasonal depression or have a hard time in the colder and rainier months of the year, you might benefit from practicing the nordic art of Hygge. It has no direct English translation, but conjures up imagery of a cozy wooden cabin in the midst of a long winter night, filled with friends, family, candlelight, home-cooked meals, wholesome fun, and cozy relaxation.
It eschews the digital in favor of the natural, old fashioned, and timeless. But while the design of material space is part of the equation, the true essence of hygge is the intentional creation of social intimacy. Put your phone on airplane mode and close your laptop for the night to cuddle close with your loved ones, host a joy-filled evening with friends, or treat yourself to a night of solitary wholesome hibernation.
The word hygge is originally Norwegian, meaning well-being, and was adopted by the Danes around the end of the 18th century. Today it is regarded with pride as a defining characteristic of Danish culture. It is a concept that can be broadly applied to any space or event that fosters well-being, coziness, and connection, and is especially popular in the depths of long and dark Nordic winters but equally applies to summer evenings on the terrace with close friends.
Step one: Set the scene
To prime your environment for a hyggelig winter evening, fill your space with any of the following*:
Candles, warm lamps, fairy lights/twinkle lights
A fireplace, space heater, or TV image of a crackling fire. (If cold outside)
Cozy blankets, pillows, quality bedding, rugs to cover hardwood floors and tile
Comfy clothing, sweaters, thick socks
Comforting music (Try the music of Passenger, Gregory Alan Isakov, Ray LaMontagne, classical guitar/piano, or this Spotify playlist)
Tea, hot cocoa, cider, or other comforting beverages
Soup, stew, warm bread, or other comfort food (preferably homemade)
Things from nature, like live plants, flowers, evergreen boughs in a vase, or dried grasses and seed pods
Good books, board games, puzzles, paint-by-number, or other non-digital forms of entertainment
Classic or nostalgic movies
*Remember that not all home decor needs to be new! Thrift and consignment stores often carry neat old objects made of natural materials like glass, wood, and metal for a fraction of the price, with less environmental impact.
2. Step two: Share your space loved ones
Game night (see our post on Games to Foster Connection)
A well-curated dinner party
A potluck or competitive potluck, in which guests vote and the winner receives a funny prize
Craft night
A bonfire
A reading night with friends
Notes from the science of wellbeing
Positivity
Research from Barbara Frederickson, a leading researcher on positive emotions, has also found that positive emotion comes from positive action. Common positive emotions that might be sparked by intentionally designing a hyggelig gathering or space include joy, gratitude, serenity, amusement, and love. According to her broaden and build theory of positive emotions, frequent experience of positive emotions has an upward spiraling effect on our wellbeing, making us more creative, open-minded, and resilient.
Embodied cognition
It might seem like common sense, but studies show that being physically warm and comfortable promotes a positive mood. One study from the field of embodied cognition found that participants who were holding a warm cup of coffee were more likely to describe a person as trustworthy than participants who were holding a cold cup of coffee.
Hygge can be used as a tool for recognizing when you are susceptible to negative emotion (such as in the depths of winter when social engagement may be low) and intentionally design your environment to promote positive emotion.
The intentional disconnection from technology may also pave the way for more authentic relationship-building with friends and family.
Additional Reading
Article: What is Hygge? from VisitDenmark.com
Article: On the importance of creating a home
“You come home, make some tea, sit down in your armchair and all around there’s silence. Everyone decides for themselves whether that’s loneliness or freedom. ”