Hygge: What It Is and How It Can Boost Well-Being

And interest in the concept hasn’t died down. If you haven’t joined the trend yet, wellness experts say these colder weather months are the perfect time to do so.

Hygge is not so much an activity you choose to do or not do; hygge is more a way of life, one that makes ordinary moments feel special, pleasurable, and meaningful, according to Meik Wiking, the Copenhagen, Denmark–based CEO of The Happiness Research Institute and the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living.

The concept of hygge is about creating a cozy, comforting physical environment: lighting candles, snuggling with soft blankets, and sipping warm, soothing drinks. But it’s also a mindset and a philosophy, Wiking explains.

“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience rather than things,” Wiking says. Hygge is also about creating a comforting social and emotional environment for yourself. “It is about being with the people we love; a feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and are allowing ourselves to let our guard down,” Wiking says.

Hygge is a natural fit for cooler months, but that’s not the only time it’s appropriate to adopt a hygge mindset. It can also be used to take care of yourself during a time filled with daily stress and negative news cycles, says Holly Schiff, PsyD, a Connecticut-based licensed psychologist for South County Psychiatry.

“During times of uncertainty and stress, we crave consistency, predictability, and a sense of control,” Schiff explains. She notes that hygge practices and its emphasis on self-care can help individuals exercise control amid uncontrollable circumstances.

Reduced Stress and Improved Emotional Well-Being

Experiencing hygge reportedly reduces stress and improves emotional well-being. However, there isn’t any scientific research examining the perks of the practice as a whole. “The support for hygge comes from its independent components — it hasn’t been tested as a set of environmental conditions,” notes Sally Augustin, PhD, an environmental and design psychologist and principal at the Chicago-based design firm Design With Science. Dr. Augustin’s work focuses on using design in science-backed ways to improve cognitive, emotional, and physical experiences.

Strengthened Social Ties

Additional Benefits

“When we’re in a more positive or relaxed mood, we get better at problem-solving, we think more creatively, and we get along better with each other,” Augustin says. All these potential benefits of practicing hygge explain why and how it can be a method of self-care.

Additionally, Schiff notes that hygge principles, including those involving self-care, could have positive mental health implications. These include less stress, reduced anxiety, and better mood overall.

How do you get started with hygge? It’s really up to you. “The important thing to remember is that your environment does influence how you feel — and you can take control of your environment and actually make it really good,” Augustin says.

To that end, choose from the following strategies to get started with hygge:

1. Opt for mood lighting. At home, dim the lights, light some candles, or make a fire in the fireplace (if you can do so safely). Or, buy warm amber bulbs for your lamps and light fixtures, Augustin suggests.
2. Hang out with a circle of close friends. “The most important social relationships are close relationships in which you experience things together with others and experience being understood; where you share thoughts and feelings; and both give and receive support,” Wiking explains. That togetherness is the essence of hygge.
3. Make yourself comfortable. Add flannel or fleece blankets and comfortable pillows to your home environment for snuggling opportunities. Go casual and wear comfy, loose pullover tops, leggings or jeans, thick socks that keep your feet warm, and oversized scarves (a Danish signature). “Opt for soft textures that feel good against your skin,” Augustin advises.
4. Establish a comforting bedtime ritual and space. Schiff recommends making your sleeping space as comfortable and cozy as possible, per the hygge philosophy. “Cuddle up with some hot tea, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and make your bedroom the most relaxing place in the house,” she suggests. Try deep breathing exercises at bedtime for more relaxation, Schiff says.
5. Get cooking. Food and drinks are an important part of the hygge experience. It’s about pleasure, so go ahead and enjoy sweets, cakes, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and other tasty treats. “Few things contribute more to the hygge factor than the smell of fresh baked goods,” Wiking says. So, roll up your sleeves and bake something delicious at home (by yourself or with friends). Remember: “Hygge food may be comfort food,” Wiking says, “but hygge food is also very much slow food” — meaning, part of the magic is in its preparation.
6. Relish the here and now. Mindfulness and gratitude are key components of hygge, says Schiff. Turn off your phone and other digital devices and focus on the present moment. Listen to soothing music, light a candle, and treat yourself to calming scents (think: lavender, rose, jasmine, or bergamot). Read an enjoyable book or play a fun board game with friends or family. Hygge is about giving the responsible, stressed-out, overachieving part of your personality a break, says Wiking. It’s about joy and contentment. “It is about experiencing happiness in simple pleasures and knowing that everything is going to be okay,” Wiking says.

• Hygge (pronounced "hooga") is the Danish art of embracing coziness and comfort in the cold months or any time you need self-care.
• Embracing a hygge lifestyle promotes self-care, and experts say it can positively impact your mental health by reducing stress and improving your mood.
• Making hygge part of your life involves altering your environment so that it makes you feel good, such as dimming the lights, snuggling under blankets, being mindful, and prioritizing togetherness with close friends.

With additional reporting by Kristeen Cherney and Moira Lawler.