If you want to be happy, live by the principles of hygge, say happy Danes
What is the secret of Scandinavian happiness? As Deutsche Welle notes, they have their own concept of what can make people happy – hygge. Hygge is a life philosophy that celebrates absolute coziness, which should be strived for not only on weekends or at the end of the workday, but in every moment of our daily lives.
Hygge can also be described as "the art of heartiness," "soulful coziness," "the absence of any disturbing factors," and "the joy of the presence of soothing things," writes Danish scientist Meik Wiking, director of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. His book "The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well" has been translated into German and Russian.
At the center of the "hygge" concept are not things, but experiences and atmosphere, Meik Wiking clarifies: "It's about being close to those you love. A feeling of home. A sense of being safe, sheltered from the outside world, in a place where you don't need to be on guard."
And the word "hygge" itself comes from Norwegian and means "well-being," the researcher clarifies. So why does "hygge" occupy such an important place in Scandinavian culture, and what is its essence? Meik Wiking highlights the following points.
Unlike many other countries, in Denmark social life takes place not so much in bars, restaurants, cafes, or clubs, but at home. Seven out of ten Danes experience happiness precisely within their own four walls. Home in Denmark is something like the "headquarters of hygge," a central place for bliss. Naturally, Danes furnish their homes with special attention. "In Denmark, they love design, so when you enter a Dane's apartment, it feels like you've stepped into the pages of an interior design magazine," writes Meik Wiking.
Community with other people is not only an important component of the concept of hygge, but also a key element of happiness, Wiking explains. "The most important indicator of happiness is our social relationships," the scientist asserts. Danes have learned this well, and work is not their top priority. The workday ends as early as five o'clock, and those with children work even until four. After work, it is customary to go straight home and start preparing dinner.
The warm light of candles – hygge is impossible without it. 28 percent of Danes light candles every day. Each resident of Denmark accounts for six kilograms of candle wax per year. According to the European Candle Association (ECA), Denmark leads other European countries in this indicator.
Danes also like their home lighting fixtures to give off warm light, so cold neon lamps are unacceptable to them. "The obsession with light can be explained by the fact that from October to March, Danes see little of it," explains Meik Wiking.
Perhaps the most unexpected revelation in the Danish philosophy of happiness is their attitude toward food. It can be formulated as follows: if you want to experience hygge, give up healthy food. In the "headquarters of hygge," they drink coffee with pies, cream cakes, and various other, admittedly unhealthy, sweets. Danes eat almost twice as many sweets as the average European – 8.2 kilograms per person per year (the European average is 4.2 kilograms).
In addition, they love hearty meals, including meat dishes or various stews. "In fact, high consumption of meat, sweets, and coffee is directly linked to hygge. It is a kind of way of treating oneself well, an opportunity to pamper oneself and allow oneself – and others – to take a break from the demands of a healthy lifestyle," writes Wiking. "Sweets are hygge, as are pies, coffee, or hot chocolate. But carrot sticks are not."
The feeling of hygge cannot be achieved if one also feels cold, Wiking emphasizes. Therefore, Danes prefer to wear layered clothing. "This is the key to surviving four seasons in one day," the researcher writes. In addition, a cozy, voluminous scarf is a mandatory attribute of hygge.
How easy it is to live by the principles of hygge, everyone can decide for themselves. Put on a cozy sweater, light candles, and not glance at your mobile phone screen for at least half an hour – that's just the beginning. Stopping being a workaholic and spending more time with loved ones is probably harder. But it's worth striving for. After all, this is the key to happiness, which we all so desire.