Photo by Truly client Natalie, from her gin tasting at Worship Street Whistling Shop
Hygge’s hype can be strongly felt throughout the UK these days. Originating from a Norwegian word meaning “well-being,” hygge can be loosely translated to cosiness, the art of happiness, calm togetherness, and well, you get the picture. I think we are all in need of a little cosiness; here are some tips for hygge-ing up your life!
1- Candles – It’s pretty widely accepted that you just can’t hygge without candles. Candlelight provides a comforting atmosphere to kick off your sense of well-being. In Danish, candles are called levende lys, or ‘living lights’!
2-Turn off your phone – Be here now. Ok, maybe take a photo to preserve the memory, and then put the phone away. Hygge is dependent on being present in, and savouring, the moment.
3- Pleasure – Treat yourselves. Hygge is about being kind to yourself, and enjoying your food and drink without guilt. Coffee, cakes, chocolate, these are all hyggelist. So go on then, indulge.
4- Comfort – Get cosy. Casual comfort is key to hygge. Find an intimate hyggekrog (or nook), bring on the sheepskin throw, the pillows, the wooly jumper!
5- Togetherness – Humans tend to be happier together. The joy of good company goes a long way in boosting our overall well-being. For an optimal hyggelig time, gather up 3 or 4 friends – small circles provide for the cosiest socialising.
Find more experiences to help you create hyggelig, happy memories on the Truly site!
And to find out more about the Danish concept, I would recommend The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking.
Do you have any other great recommendations for living a hygge lifestyle?