Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the word “Hygge” floating around. What in the world is Hygge, you may ask? I’m glad you did. Today I’m going to tell you what Hygge is and how you can start practicing it as a family!
Hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Danish word with no literal English translation, but it roughly translates to coziness, warmth, homeyness, togetherness, and being present in life with your important people. The practice of Hygge has been a way of life in Scandinavian countries for centuries, but recently it has started to catch on in the U.S. And I, for one, am a big fan. I mean, any culture that has been dubbed the “happiest people in the world” probably knows a thing or two about good lifestyle choices.
So how can you incorporate Hygge into your family? It’s really not that hard. In a nutshell, it’s really all about being intentional about enjoying your time and space together with the people you love. Here are some easy ways you can bring Hygge to your family:
1. Create comfortable spaces.
Make your family gathering space as comfortable as possible. Add soft blankets to the couch or create special pallets on the floor for the kids. Add squishy pillows and let the kids bring a few of their favorite stuffies to the gathering place. Get cozy together!
2. Use more lamplight.
Danes are obsessed with low lighting, specifically candlelight. And while I would love to use more candlelight than electricity, it’s not the smartest or safest idea with grabby little hands roaming around my house. Instead, incorporate more lamps into your spaces and equip them with low-watt bulbs. Instead of having overhead lights glaring down at you at night, fire up those lamps and enjoy the ambiance.
3. Ban all phones/tablets.
Make it a rule to put away your phones and iPads and kiddie tablets after a certain time every night. Instead of getting lost in the time suck of the internet (or answering emails or Instagram or Facebook . . . pick your poison), spend time with your family having fun. Watch a movie or play a board game. Or read books to your kids. Or have a conversation with your spouse. Engage more with your people and grow your relationships.
4. Comfy clothes.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t fully relax until I’ve taken off my bra and put on my cozy socks. Invest in a few pairs of soft pajama pants, a cozy knit cardigan, and some wool socks, and make it a habit to wear them in the evening. Just the thought is blissful to me!
5. Snuggle.
I don’t care how old your kids are, get yourself some snuggles while you have the chance! There is nothing more relaxing and wonderful than lying with your babies and snuggling with them while watching a movie or talking about their day. And when your kids are in bed, snuggle with your spouse!
There are so many more ways to create a cozy, relaxing, homey atmosphere for your family, but these tips will at least get you started. Hygge can be just the type of lifestyle shift you need to bring that feeling of togetherness back into the fold of everyday life. If the “happiest people in the world” swear by it, maybe it’s worth a shot?
