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Hygge & the Happiest People in the World

1/4/2018

The Goal: To Charm Your Experience of Winter

To turn the winter version of "bah humbug!" into "it's a wonderful life!"
Read on to learn about how to do it. ...

Winter in Denmark

"A recent study concluded that, as sunlight dwindles during the winter, so do your levels of serotonin — the neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood. And yet Denmark, with its cold winters and December sunsets that occur as early as 3:43 p.m., still took the top spot as happiest country in the 2012 and 2013 World Happiness Report." ~ Mashable.com

Given the extreme lack of sunlight in Denmark during the winter, I find it remarkable that they not only survive but thrive. I really admire that kind of determination!!

What does hygge give to them that keeps them going during the long, dark winters? And what can we learn from them that could be helpful to us wherever we are?

What Hygge is & How They Stay "Happiest"

"(It's) a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special," the website reads. "Whether it’s making coffee a verb by creating a ritual of making it then lingering over a cup to a cosy evening in with friends to the simple act of lighting a candle with every meal. Hygge is being aware of a good moment whether it’s simple or special. Basically, hygge is living in the moment and choosing to marvel in the simple pleasures that make you feel warm & cozy."
~ SheKnows.com

Hygge is a way of life, a philosophy that, once adopted, changes everything! If living it keeps getting the Danish people pronounced the world's happiest, then we can learn from them.

I read The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking and it is full of the way they live their lives in Denmark and how hygge can help. As I read it, I realized that they do all the things that can help during winter, but they do it in hygge ways.

Want to know more about how they use hygge in Denmark or you can use hygge to beat winter blues? Check back for tomorrow's blog post.

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine

14 Comments

SHANE link

1/4/2018 01:06:07 pm

this is such a wonderful concept and one that i only became aware of a few months ago. i bought the book (no i haven't read past chapter 2) and now i'm feeling motivated to get back into it.

Jeanine Byers link

1/4/2018 02:17:45 pm

Oh, I highly recommend it, Shane!! It gave me so many good ideas. Not ready to exercise outdoors in winter, but many of the other suggestions were awesome! :)

Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA link

1/4/2018 01:36:57 pm

I await tomorrow's blog. Somehow, I need to be convinced that hygge has anything to do with the Danish attitudes.
Looking forward to you convincing me otherwise.

1/4/2018 02:35:48 pm

Hi, Roy! Meik Wiking is Danish, and he grew up and lives and works in Denmark. He wrote that book I mentioned above, and the book, itself, describes in detail the connection between hygge and Danish attitudes. So if my posts fail to convince you, keep that book in mind.

Doug link

1/4/2018 02:38:58 pm

Talk about building suspense. The sunshine today is helping me build my serotonin levels as does reviewing pictures of my past vacations for this #blogboost challenge. I'm so glad to find your blog here. Blog on (y)

1/4/2018 02:48:01 pm

LOL, Doug! Sorry for the suspense. I write all my blog posts for these challenges in advance so I only need the energy to respond to comments and check out other people's posts during that month. And 30 or 31 posts is intimidating! Glad you're boosting serotonin today. The mirror shows some of the ways I have boosted serotonin in the past month. And as I type right now, my light box is a nearby companion.

Shelly Maynard link

1/4/2018 04:43:09 pm

I have not heard of this concept being called Hygge - however, I am very intrigued and looking forward to your next blog post. After a life-changing experience in 2017, I understand how precious life is. I want to enjoy every moment to the fullest!

1/5/2018 12:43:24 am

Hi Shelly! I will be sharing more about what hygge is all month long. And I know what you mean about life being precious! I don't want to wait for happiness in the future, I want to live it right now.

Janet Yarwood link

1/4/2018 04:56:58 pm

I don't know much about huge but all the little bits I see I love. Will definitely be back to find out more

1/5/2018 12:44:42 am

That's great, Janet! I love it, too.

Alice Gerard link

1/5/2018 07:28:05 am

I am looking forward to the next post! I am eager and excited to delete the wintertime blues from my world! I want to know how it is done in Denmark, although I'd rather find out first hand, but it doesn't look as if I am moving to Denmark tomorrow or anytime soon.

1/5/2018 02:27:53 pm

Alice, right?? I would love to see it up close and personal, but I doubt that will be possible anytime soon. Plus, I have read that longstanding friendship groups, once formed, so not accept new members easily. So I'd be at home with all my lights, and I can do that here. ;)

Vidya Tiru link

1/5/2018 02:10:01 pm

Being aware of the moment :) yes, that is something I try to do consciously.. loving your posts ..

1/5/2018 02:30:25 pm

That's great, Vidya! I like to be aware of the moment, too, but I want to create it first. Meaning, light the candle, turn on soft lighting, make myself a cup of tea, get out a good book, and then, take it all in. If I am worrying about something, or feeling sad, that's not a moment I want to sink into. Have to acknowledge it, of course, but then I'm ready to change it in some way, with hygge. :)

Hygge & the Happiest People in the World

The Goal: To Charm Your Experience of Winter

Winter in Denmark

What Hygge is & How They Stay "Happiest"

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I'm Jeanine

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PRIVACY POLICY:
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Hygge & the Happiest People in the World

The Goal: To Charm Your Experience of Winter

Winter in Denmark

What Hygge is & How They Stay "Happiest"

Leave a Reply.

I'm Jeanine

Archives

PRIVACY POLICY:click here to read it

PRIVACY POLICY:
click here to read it