I’m always looking for ways to increase my happiness. Who isn’t? The Danes are known as being some of the happiest people in the world so following what they do seems like it should be helpful.

Hygge is essentially a way of living a happy life focusing on the life you create around you, not the things you own. It’s the atmosphere in which you live that provides happiness and hygge focuses on simple pleasures.

After my ex and I separated, I met a friend of mine over coffee (hot chocolate for me since I don’t actually like coffee). I was sharing what I was planning to focus on over the next few months. The most important areas were my kids, my friends, and the changes I was thinking of making in my home.

My friend said that it sounded like hygge to her. I had briefly heard the name before but really did not understand what it meant. From what she was saying, it felt like it fit me perfectly. It was simplicity and focus on family and friends, while doing everything in a cozy atmosphere. I was game to learn more about it, to try to figure out ways I could fit more aspects of it in my life.

What is Hygge?

I immediately started researching it when I came home that day and the book that was most recommended was: The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by, Meik Wiking.

I downloaded to kindle and started to read. It’s a quick and easy read but provides all the insights you need into this Danish way of living. I was on board right away to learn what makes the Danes so happy.

The term originates from Danish and has no direct translation, but it can roughly be described as coziness or a sense of comfort. Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the Danish word for a sense of warmth, contentment. It encourages you to take pleasure in simple everyday things, like curling up with a cup of coffee in your favorite chair or spending time with close friends and family.
I found that I was already doing some things that follow the hygge way of life, but I learned other ways to implement hygge into my life.

It is really quite simple, and you can pull from hygge what matters most into your life. Winter is a perfect time to jump into the hygge way of life. So, with it being January, you can get started right away.
Essentially, hygge is about coziness. Coziness in your home, in what you wear, and what you do with your friends and family. It is about connecting and enjoying life in a simple way.

7 Easy Ways to Incorporate Hygge in Your Life Today:

Make your Home Heavenly

By embracing hygge in your home, you’ll create an environment that is warm and inviting.

Start by making your home smell great. Stock up on scented candles, incense, or potpourri. I love having a candle in the kitchen and one on my coffee table.  The ones that smell like yummy food are usually my favorites.

You can incorporate fresh scents into some of your favorite home recipes too! One easy way to do that is by replacing dry spices with fresh ones when cooking seasonally appropriate meals.  Fresh-ground spices tend to offer bolder flavors than dried versions anyway so their inclusion will pack more punch than you might expect.

Fire and Candle-lights

This is a time of year when we crave comfort and warmth. And, honestly, who wouldn’t want more fires and candle-lights?

You don’t need anything complex for firelight. My kids and I love to roast marshmallows. Did you know you can roast a marshmallow over a candle? Easy peasy! Just be careful the marshmallow doesn’t light on fire!

Fire and candles add warmth and hominess. They make you feel good on cozy winter nights with friends and family.

 Get Cozy Under Blankets and Comfy Clothes

According to another Danish principle, følelsen af varme, the feeling of warmth is key for being happy. Cozying up during the winter is a must do.

Start with wool blankets. I was recently in Iceland and noticed in all the hotels, their beds and chairs are draped with wool blankets that just make it extra cozy. Throw one over your shoulders while you watch TV or put it on top of your bed for an extra layer of warmth at night.

Winter for me means cozy sweaters and socks and these are on the hygge list too. Sitting wrapped in a blanket in front of a fire, wearing a soft sweater and warm socks will help create the cozy atmosphere of hygge. How easy is that?! Curl up and read a great book.

Get Together with Friends
The Danish concept of hygge centers on spending time with friends, family and loved ones. Whether it’s over coffee at home or out on a trip, gatherings are about taking time to appreciate one another’s company.

The great thing about having hygge get-togethers is that you can make them happen whenever—and wherever—you want. You don’t need an excuse (or an invitation) for spending quality time with your nearest and dearest. All you need is some good food, better drinks. and lots of laughs.

It is important that your time together is spent in the right way. Put away those electronics and turn off the TV. Hygge is about talking and playing games while enjoying a nice glass of wine or a mug of something warm if that is coffee.

Invite your friends over for a night of comfort food, warm drinks, and some old-time entertainment.  Grab some cards and your favorite games and spend some time enjoying a simple night with your friends and family. Some of our favorites are Dominos and Sequence.

Cook Your Favorite Comfort Foods

There’s nothing better than sitting down to a hot, home-cooked meal after coming in from taking your dog for his daily walk. While there are many recipes you can make, what you cook isn’t as important as whether you cook it yourself.
Plan out your meals ahead of time so you have everything prepared at home without having to take any time away from family time—plus it just makes mealtimes less stressful!
I am all about food that is easy to prepare. I use my crockpot a ton in the fall and winter. Soups and stews are comforting and homey and rustic and those all describe hygge perfectly. So, pull out your crockpot and your favorite recipe and enjoy a warm home meal of stew or soup and add some crusty bread.
I love this stew that I found years ago and emailed it to myself after I tried and loved it. I have no idea where I originally got it and I’ve made changes to it through the years. It is one of my favorites and it is great when you have family over because it feeds quite a few people.

Delicious Beef Crockpot Stew

Ingredients

⦁ 4 pounds bottom round, trimmed and cut into smaller 2-inch pieces
⦁ 1 cup all-purpose flour
⦁ 1/3 cup olive oil (you can add more if needed)
⦁ 2 large onions, diced (approx.2 cups)
⦁ 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
⦁ 1 cup dry red wine (or whatever you are drinking that night . I almost always have a glass of red wine while I make this dish.)
⦁ 1 pound of potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces (approx. 4 cups)
⦁ 1/2-pound baby carrots (approx. 2 cups)
⦁ 2 cups beef broth
⦁ 1 tablespoon kosher salt
⦁ 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
⦁ 1 bay leaf

Directions

⦁ Coat the beef in the flour. I usually put the flour in a baggie and the meat and shake them up.
⦁ Heat a few tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and then brown the meat. It’s best to do a few pieces at a time. You will probably have to add more oil with each batch. Put all the browed meat in a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker.
⦁ Add the chopped onions to the skillet that you just browned the meat in. Cook them over medium heat until tender, approx. 10 minutes.
⦁ Stir in the tomato paste and coat the onions and then add to the cooker.
⦁ In my opinion, this next step is the key that makes this stew so unbelievably delicious. Pour the wine into the skillet and scrape up all the delicious, browned bits left from the previous steps; pour into the cooker.
⦁ Add the potatoes, carrots, broth, salt, thyme, and bay leaf and stir everything together.
⦁ Cover the crockpot and cook on low for about 7 1/2 hours – 8 hours, or on high for about 4 hours. I think it is best when cooked slowly. The flavors are better, and the meat is tender.
Pour a glass of your favorite red wine, add some delicious fresh bread, and dig into the stew.

Indulge in a warm drink

Grab your favorite mug and put on some relaxing music or grab that book you haven’t had time for. Sit back, breathe deeply, and enjoy some warming drinks on a cozy fall night.
A cup of hot chocolate has always been my favorite since I was a kid. I love that it not only warms me up but, also brings back great memories.  Hot chocolate with Amaretto is my favorite. So delicious! Tea is another one of my favorites and I love knowing that some teas are good for my health.

Many people just love a good cup of coffee to warm them up. Choose your Favorite!

Enjoy Quality Time Alone

Time alone with your thoughts in pursuit of personal happiness, on the other hand, is one of the most hygge things you can do this fall.

Turn off your phone and plan your ideal night in. Put on your tattered college sweatpants and a pair of woolen socks and prepare to relax. Draw a hot bath (candlelit, of course), curl up on the couch with a good book, or snuggle up under a warm blanket with a glass of wine and watch your favorite guilty pleasure on TV.
Some alone time is also an excellent opportunity to try out a new hobby. Take a solo run, pick up the knitting needles, or try your hand at journaling—whatever you choose to do, make it a point to focus on something that makes you happy.

Hygge in Your Life

I hope that you learned a bit about hygge and some ideas on how to incorporate it into your life as we jump into winter. Please share any ideas you have on how to create a cozy way of life with hygge.

I’d also love to hear any of your favorite crockpot recipes because I am always on the lookout for new ones that are easy and yummy.

 

If you love this post – check out my post on Positive Living