Today I would like to write about Hygge: The Danish Way Of Living a Good Life. One late evening after a long day of work, I wasn’t sure what to buy for dinner, but I however did know that one sure way of winding down was to go to the bookstore.
As I walked around, I stumbled upon the prettiest little book. The book was called “The Little Book Of Hygge – The Danish Way To Live Well“. Now, you could argue that I do not need another book, considering that one of my living room walls is basically a wall of books BUT I had to have it. It was pretty, it was written beautifully AND it would help me to live better, relax more and be more mindful overall.
I thought I would write a little list of things down that stood out the most to me, so that no matter where you are, you can just take a look at the list and quickly know what a sure way of creating a more mindful routine is.
I personally work within the advertising industry with two big, global clients and my days range from having 24 Skype meetings (okay, maybe less than 24, but still a lot!) to creating slides and slides of strategy decks and best practice recommendations. In between all of that, I do tend to forget to have lunch, drink enough water and go outside for a bit of fresh air. I know that this is not a way to live and this is why I want to make little changes to my daily routine, which will help me to be present and to catch a breath. So join me on my quest to a more mindful and meaningful life.
Our lives are vastly different from the lives that our grandparents had. A coffee break now means running to the next Coffee shop, getting a coffee to go, and rushing back to the tube to run errands while replying to the latest emails. Why did that change so drastically and how can we get back to basics?
hygge [/ˈh(j)uːɡə,ˈhʊɡə/]noun | quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)
So let’s get right into it and see what we can do to live a better life.
Hot Drinks
Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa. Go out and meet a friend for coffee in a local coffee shop. Drink a hot cup of tea when you get home on a cold winter evening. Whatever you desire as long as it is warm. Hot drinks are great when we need to relax as they slow us down. It is impossible to drink a cup of hot piping tea within 30 seconds as we would burn ourselves. So go ahead, make yourself a hot drink and try and focus only on drinking, even if it is only for 15 minutes.
Light a Candle
An overwhelming number of Danes associate candles with Hygge. That is not surprising, as the glimmering light of the candles is being captured by our eyes and sent to our brain, creating an instant state of relaxation and often even a meditative state. The candle’s flame helps us to be more aware of our surroundings and to literally see the world in a different light. So go ahead and light your favorite candle. If you want to stay true to the Danish way of doing things, opt for natural, unscented candles, as scented candles are not that big in Denmark.
Dress Casual
As you may already know Danes are well known for their minimalistic fashion style. They tend to opt for casual, layered outfits that are built around the basics such as a black top. That however doesn’t mean that the Danes are not stylish. In fact, Danes are the best at looking extremely comfortable, casual but put together at the same time. Danish fashion designers keep things simple, clean, and minimal. Some of the iconic danish brands include: Becksöndergaard, Bruuns Bazaar, Ivan Grundahl, and Samsøe & Samsøe.
Work-Life Balance
The Danish value their free time and would rather spend it with their families, friends, and pets, rather than at their desks at work. I think everyone should be more Danish.
11AM Lunch Break
Eating a substantial lunch around 11 AM can help you to fight that afternoon slump. If you wake up early, there is nothing wrong with having an early lunch. Having an early lunch will also help you to eat the highest amount of calories mid-day so that you do not crash before it is time to go home. Furthermore, having your lunch around 11 AM-12 PM – rather than 4 PM – will help you to be hungry in time for dinner.
