Hygge: a marketing ploy or a new outlook on life?

The term “hygge” is of Danish origin and has been the subject of many books and articles since it was officially added to the Oxford Dictionary in 2017. But what is it really about, and can this concept really affect your well-being? Or is it just a clever marketing move?

There is no literal translation for hygge in Czech, but the closest to it are combinations of the following words: cosy, warm, pleasant or safe. To better understand that feeling, try to imagine that you are sitting on the couch with your favorite book and a cup of hot drink in your hand. A candle flame flickers on the table next to you, a string of lights shines on the windows, and to complement the atmosphere outside, a gale is currently raging – this is exactly what hygge is. In a broader context, however, hygge represents much more – it represents an approach to life that is characterized by the fact that you can find joy in every little thing (for example, even in a mug of hot chocolate) and the ability to adjust your environment so that it is cozy, comfortable and pleasantly.

On the other hand, however, it should be emphasized that true hygge lies more in your inner setting and the activities you do based on this belief . Therefore, you cannot expect to fundamentally improve your health by simply buying “hygge decorations”, “hygge blankets” or other “hygge products”.

Can hygge really affect your overall well-being or health? 

The concept of hygge has long been widespread, especially in the countries of Northern Europe. In addition, if you look at the regular evaluation of the psychological well-being and level of happiness of the residents of individual countries, it is these countries that are usually placed in the top ranks, led by Denmark, Finland or Iceland. Chance?

1. Mental health

Mental well-being is the area of ​​health in which hygge is prescribed most prominently. The essence of hygge is connected with pleasant experiences and happiness , whether it is time for yourself, good food, close friends or simply a moment of undisturbed rest. In addition, the effects of other spheres in which hygge intervenes have also been proven – i.e. that the organization and cleanliness of the surrounding environment affects mental well-being and work performance, or that optimism increases the chance of living to an older age.

• Are you interested in the topic of optimism and longevity in more detail? Read the article Did you know? According to scientific studies, optimists have better prospects for longevity

So what are the specific mechanisms by which hygge can affect your life?

• Reducing stress levels: rest and relaxation associated with the concept of hygge can help reduce the concentration of the stress hormone cortisol , and in turn promote the release of endorphins, which are associated with good mood and pain relief.
• Mindfulness: your hygge encourages mindfulness and slowing down, realizing that even seemingly small things can be a source of happiness.
• Working with emotions and needs: hygge creates a space to feel safe and accepted – in conjunction with calming and increased mindfulness, it supports a deeper work with and understanding of one’s own emotions and needs.
• Better interpersonal relationships: mindfulness and focusing on pleasant experiences can also help you in the social sphere – you can better “feel” your loved ones, and you will know with whom you feel truly safe and relaxed.

2. Physical health

You will certainly not be surprised by the fact that the areas of mental and physical health are closely connected, and any changes will undoubtedly be overwritten in the other sphere as well. The physical effects of the hygge concept usually consist in  dampening the negative impact of stress on the body, which can be manifested in a variety of ways – by reducing the frequency of headaches, improving digestion , easing muscle tension, relieving tinnitus , etc.

Hygge also encourages active movement and spending time outdoors  – this can support heart and blood vessel health , weight control or, in turn, have a positive effect on mental well-being. It is after returning from the dry weather that you enjoy a mug of warm drink best!

Image by gpointstudio on Freepik

8 areas through which hygge can help improve well-being

• Meditation and mindfulness: It is through regular meditation and mindfulness training that the concept of hygge can positively affect your mental and physical health. Thanks to the fact that you allow yourself a few minutes to relax and calm your scattered thoughts, you learn to work not only with stress, but also with your emotions and needs. And you already know the benefits of this process from the text above. Are you dizzy from the terms mentioned above? Detailed information about meditation and mindfulness can be found in the articles Mindfulness: meditation as a path to mental well-being and  Meditation: how to achieve positive effects, and which type to choose?
• Self‑care: Whether you decide to call it hygge, relaxation or meditation, all these activities can be included to some extent under so-called self‑care, i.e. taking care of yourself. At the same time, according to studies, time for self-care helps to reduce the level of perceived stress and anxiety, and on the contrary, to increase productivity and motivation. And since hygge supports the joy of small things, you don’t need to buy a wellness stay at a spa for self‑care right away – a coffee in a pleasant cafe or a trip to a favorite place is all you need. If you would like to include self-care in your life, but you do not know what exactly to imagine under it, you can be inspired by our article Self-care: 10 simple tips for daily self-care.
• Candles: Candles perfectly emphasize the cozy atmosphere, especially during the autumn and winter months. They are thus a great addition to meditation, relaxation or perhaps aromatherapy. And how is it actually with the safety of candles and the release of harmful substances into the air? You will find out in the article Burning candles: There is a reason to worry about health, and which types to choose
• Good food: Hygge also includes good and balanced food – the very feeling of nourishing your body with quality ingredients and all the necessary nutrients is very satisfying in itself. Ideally complement cooking with mindfulness training and focus on the aroma, texture and taste of individual ingredients. To complete the right atmosphere, you can light a candle on the line, play your favorite music or treat yourself to a glass of your favorite drink (e.g. kombucha ).
• Walk: Although at first glance it may seem that hygge is primarily a matter of indoor spaces, don’t be fooled – it encourages active movement and spending time in the fresh air. On a walk or during a sporting activity, again try to perceive how external influences affect you and what is happening to your body. And when you get home, treat yourself to a bowl of nutritious soup. Did you know that you should also go to nature during the autumn and winter months? The article Spending time in nature: What are its benefits and how long to stay in it will tell you the reason .
• Clean environment: The appearance, cleanliness and organization of the surrounding environment can have a significant impact on your productivity, mental well-being and physical health. In a tidy and spacious room with enough light, you will naturally feel much better than when hordes of dust, packaging or dirty laundry fall on you from all sides. Even cleaning itself can be cleansing for your psyche – removing physical clutter from your environment can metaphorically help with organizing thoughts and relief.
• Time spent with loved ones: Hygge refers to time for yourself and self‑care, however, time spent with your loved ones is also an essential part of this concept. If you decide to explore who you feel truly safe and free with, you may reevaluate some of your past relationships. However, you will be rewarded by building really strong bonds with like-minded people. Therefore, transfer mindfulness to your relationships and if you do make time for someone, give them all your attention.
• Light: Light is one of the most important points in the concept of hygge – during the long and dark winters in the northern hemisphere, the lack of natural sunlight is really noticeable. The warm and subdued light complements the cozy home atmosphere well and helps you feel relaxed, even when the sun is out of sight. However, if you feel that you really lack real, natural light, the best artificial lighting is not enough in this case – for the treatment of so-called seasonal affective disorder, which is characterized by the development of anxiety or depression based on the reduced amount of sunlight, a special therapeutic lamps. For more information on the importance of natural daylight and seasonal affective disorder, see Why is natural light important to our health and how to get more of it?

What to take from it? 

The concept of hygge has recently spread to literature and then to homes themselves. And it’s definitely not just a marketing ploy by the chains to get you to buy piles of pillows, blankets or lights. Hygge strives to create a cozy, safe and pleasant environment, but at the same time it also points to minimalism and the ability to enjoy the little things. 

Combined with the practice of mindfulness, meditation and being outdoors, hygge can positively affect your ability to manage stress and release tension, which in turn translates into mental and physical health as well as the social realm.