Karen March Counselling & Therapy Services

KAREN MARCH
M.Soc.Sc.(Counselling),
MACA(Professional)

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Nurture your well-being, Danish-style

While Australia again ranked a healthy 10 out of 156 countries on the United Nations authoritative World Happiness Index 2018 ), perhaps there is still something we can learn from the No.3 rank-holder, Denmark.

The Danish concept of "Hygge" (pronounced "Hue - guh") has been known about for some time but it is difficult to translate into English as there is no one-word equivalent for this Nordic phenomenon which so enhances the wellbeing of the Danes.

Hygge describes a sense of wellbeing and contentment, of emotional warmth, of being in one's right place, feeling safe, at home, cared for, of being with people or in places that are congruent with how we want to be, of being in a haven away from the harshness of life where there is a sense that all is right with the world.
That's a lot of words to describe what is largely a perceived feeling, a sense of "hygge".

The word hygge has its roots in the Old Norse hygga, which means "to comfort" and may also have been the origin of the English word "hug".

While Hygge can ideally be experienced within the home as it is an environment which we can readily transform into a haven, for some, home is not the ideal place for a sense of wellbeing and comfort. Opportunities for Hygge can also be present outside the home, in fact, anywhere that may be conducive to the qualities listed above.

So what can hygge do for us?

The concept of hygge fits nicely with the notion of mindfulness. In our fast-paced, busy, over-loaded lives, hygge can provide the much-needed space to regroup, restore ourselves, and replenish our emotional reserves.

Hygge can provide a buffer between the pressures and stresses of the outside world and our inner world, protecting us against modern-day exhaustion, adrenal fatigue from stress, and disconnection from others, ourselves and what is important to us in our lives.

In a sense, hygge is grounding.

Creating opportunities for hygge can lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety, boost our immune system and our self-esteem, and increase overall contentment with life.

Some examples of how you can experience Hygge

• Experiencing meaningful connection with others; spending time with your tribe
• Enjoying the company of friends where there is no sense of competition or control
• Sharing stories, feelings and memories with friends who may have shared those same experiences with you
• Being with others who understand and appreciate your humour, and you theirs
• Harmonious lighting, e.g. candles, open fire, fairy lights. In fact, the Danes burn more candles per head than any other group in Europe
• Minimising meaningless clutter in your home, workplace, garden
• Simple activities such as reading a good book in a favourite nook at home, or sitting with a view of a river, ocean or a forest
• Having a family meal all together, just talking without the distraction of electronic devices
• Creating comfort spaces in the home with indoor plants, cushions, throws, inviting couches
• Making time to take a break with a cup of tea or coffee and a special treat. In Denmark, cake is hyggeligt and coffee and hot chocolate are hyggeligt
• Taking a bath with careful consideration to creating ambiance for relaxation
• Creating an environment that is cool when it is hot outside, or warm when it is cold outside
• Having personal "treasures" around your home that express what is special to you
• Creating your special place in your home, or in an external environment where you can relax, think, find peace, meditate, create, sleep