Hygge: A Finnish American's best defense against seasonal depression
As a Finnish American (AmeriFin?) I feel a sense of camaraderie with Scandinavians and other Nordics. So when the Danish concept of hygge swept the internet a few years ago, it immediately resonated with me as a resident of snowy, mountainous northern Utah.
What is hygge, you might ask? It has no direct English translation, but hygge expert and Happiness Research Institute CEO Meik Wiking defines it as an atmosphere and experience associated with coziness & intimacy, a "feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and [can] allow ourselves to let our guard down". All hygge tips and quotes in this article come from his book The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living.
A hygge atmosphere is one full of warm, flattering light and delicious aromas. No drama--positive vibes only. Gratitude. Harmony. Presence. Comfort. It's hard to feel depressed when your environment is so conducive to happiness, even if it's dark at 4 pm. Make it a vibe. Pretend to be a little fox in a well-decorated borough deep in the Finnish forest.
One fun journal exercise to do as colder weather and longer nights approach is making a hygge shortlist--things you can do or use to enhance the hygge in your life. Here's mine:
- Salt lamps (soft, warm, orangey light perfect for early mornings and late nights)
- Cashmere & wool sweaters
- Beautiful glassware
- Fresh coffee, the drink and the ritual of preparing it
- Hot chocolate
- Cardamom buns
- Riisipuuro
- Fuzzy socks
- Card games
- Quran recitations
- Puzzles
- Crocheting
- Soft classical music (especially Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker <3)
- Comically large fluffy scarves
- My purple armchair
- Oud perfume
- Incense
- Oriental rugs
- Musical movies like Oklahoma!, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, White Christmas
- Old Hollywood movies with Bacall & Monroe
- Journaling
What's on your list may vary significantly from mine depending on your cultural background, but all lists will be united by themes of comfort and pleasure. Please comment any hygge things, activities, or rituals you enjoy during fall and winter!