Embracing Hygge For your mental health

December 15, 2023 Emma Varco

What does ‘hygGe’ stand for?

Hygge, pronounced "hoo-gah," embraces life's everyday pleasures. Unlike quick fixes or oversimplified advice, hygge encourages a more profound engagement with your emotions. It isn’t about masking feelings with a warm blanket but about embracing them, understanding them, and discovering comfort in them.

How can hygGe help my mental health?

In the realm of SAD, normalising the struggle is a crucial first step. Hygge doesn't promise an immediate remedy; instead, it invites us to acknowledge that sometimes things are difficult, and that's perfectly okay. The pressure to be cheerful despite the gloom becomes less daunting when we recognise that our emotions, even the sombre ones, are a natural part of the human experience.

In today's environment we are often inundated with the promotion of impractical optimism. Central to hygge is managing expectations, rather than encouraging unrealistic cheer, it encourages us to approach life with a balanced outlook. This doesn't mean resigning to despair but understanding that the ebb and flow of emotions is part of our existence. By embracing a realistic perspective, we can alleviate the burden of unattainable happiness and instead focus on finding moments of serenity that possibly escape our notice in our daily lives.

“Hygge encourages us to shift from ‘fixing’ our emotions, to being present with them.”

Hygge encourages us to shift from "fixing" our emotions, to being present with them. It's not about hastily lighting a candle because that is what we have come to understand as an easy way to promote our well-being, but about creating a warming environment where we can sit with our feelings. This involves mindfulness – the art of observing our thoughts and emotions without becoming entangled in them. By cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of our inner world, we can better navigate the challenges that life presents.

Interpreting hygge invites us to hold our feelings with care and let them go when the time is right. It's an acknowledgment that healing is a gradual process, and it's okay to take the time we need. Hygge doesn't demand an instant transformation but encourages a patient, compassionate journey towards emotional well-being.

“Hygge doesn't demand an instant transformation but encourages a patient, compassionate journey towards emotional well-being.”

HYGGE throughout winter

In the winter season, there are often extra pressures associated with the festive period, from heightened social commitments, christmas preparations and intensified expectations. The pursuit of perfection can magnify anxieties.

Embracing Hygge can help to counterbalance the pressures, prioritising meaningful connections and fostering cosy atmospheres over perfection. However, Hygge isn’t reserved for the cold and darker months it is about creating an atmosphere of cosiness and comfort in both your physical surroundings and your emotional state which can be practised at any time of the year.

The way you utilise Hygge will look different from season to season.

Hygge is personal and can be interpreted differently by individuals. What brings a sense of hygge to one person might be different for another. The most important part of the journey is discovering what makes you feel your most content and peaceful.

encourage Hygge into your life

Taking notice of the seasons and appreciating the differences of each one.
Turn a corner of your home into a cosy space, a place you can go to unwind, read a book or sit with your thoughts.
When connecting with loved ones, disconnect from distractions and leave your phone in your bag.

Our favourite reads on Hygge & a more mindful way of living:

Well Being Hive