The Magic of Hygge
By Molly Rapozo, Lifestyle Staff Writer
With Punxsutawney Phil emerging with the usual message of six more weeks of winter, some Midwesterners — with the exception of those who love the snow — find themselves looking for solutions on how to tough out those final excruciatingly long weeks. Within the last few years, many Americans have begun to turn to the idea of “hygge” (pronounced “hue-gah”), the Danish concept of cozying up.
Hygge, and the Norwegian concept of “kose seg,” literal translation “to cozy oneself,” are in place to offer a comforting way to escape the harsh Nordic winter. As these countries are so close to the Arctic Circle, they can experience periods of almost total darkness. To cope with this lack of light, Scandinavians turn to physical definitions of coziness, such as lighting candles or snuggling with warm blankets, as well as mindful ways of cozying up, such as getting together with loved ones. Here are some ideas that celebrate the feeling of hygge with all of your senses.
Embrace Your Loved Ones
Getting snuggly with your significant other, friends or family can be a fantastic way to cozy yourself and bring in happiness. Sharing hot drinks with them, cooking a meal together or watching your favorite movie are just a few of the many ways you can get together.
Settle In With Pleasant Scents
Candles and oil diffusers are perfect ways to fill up a room with smells that make you happy and cozy. Try using scents that are warming but still sweet, such as vanilla, lavender, coffee or sandalwood. If you are feeling especially shut-in, try eucalyptus or peppermint oil, or even burning some palo santo wood. These scents clear the air and leave any space refreshed and open.
Warm Up With Food
It is hard to find people who do not appreciate a good, home-cooked meal. Taking the time to cook not only brings the money-saving benefits of not eating out, but it is also a great mood booster when you are stuck inside. Play some music, invite your friends over and enjoy the company over a fantastic hot meal. Specific ingredients, like turmeric or ginger, bring on a certain heat that will keep you nice and warm. Green Kitchen Stories, a blog focused on healthy vegetarian whole foods, has a great recipe for delicious turmeric muffins.
Tuck In With Cozy Tunes
The playlists we make often reflect our feelings. Curating a great playlist to cope with the dark and cold of winter can reap amazing benefits on your happiness. Finding your favorite songs and putting them together or finding new music that has the right “vibe” is a great way to feel good. Make a playlist for lounging around, cooking with your friends or for when you need to brave the cold to walk around campus. Moda’s Art Section has a December playlist with spectacular vibes. Find it here.
Make Your Space Cozy
Similar to the warming scents, tangible objects that feel warm and soft often bring a sense of coziness to your surroundings. Embracing warm blankets, all the pillows you can find and that one pair of socks that are as soft as clouds will bring you directly to a place that is inviting and welcoming.
Winter is harsh. Hygge is here to help us survive until the spring. Playing up the idea of hygge with all your senses can help pull you into the space you hold, keeping you in the present moment and reminding you that winter will not last too long. For those of us who cannot handle being away from the sun for months on end, being present for the last few weeks of winter will make the return of warmth that much more special.