What the Danish Philosophy of Hygge Teaches Us About True Happiness

The Danes must be doing something right. After all, they’ve consistently ranked as one of the highest amongst countries in global happiness reports. The world has turned to them as specialists of serenity, with countless authors writing books and articles in an attempt to discover the hidden secrets of their joy.

If you’ve ever met a person from Denmark, you may notice they really appreciate their quality time, always making the most of each day they live. This isn’t just a coincidence; the Danes take this sense of mindfulness so seriously that they have a whole philosophy built around it: the philosophy of ‘hygge.’

Hygge: The Danish Secret to Happiness

Hygge, pronounced as hoo-ga, is not just a word, but a way of life in Danish culture.   

It encapsulates an undeniable feeling of coziness, think warm fireplaces, a hot drink warming your hands, and some old friends or family sharing pleasant conversation. Hygge is a part of the Danish lifestyle that brings about a conviviality, boosting the well-being of those experiencing it. While it remains not entirely definable, to ‘hygge’ correctly, one must try and exclude the outside world a little and focus on yourself and the people you love.

You could practice a favorite hobby, go for a walk in the park, or even invite some friends over for dinner. Denmark is undeniably a beautiful country, but it is often cold, grey, and somewhat gloomy in terms of the weather. It is no wonder, then, that the Danish people celebrate so fervently the happiness they get from getting cozy, from prioritizing hygge in their everyday lives.

Practicing Hygge in Daily Life

In a world caught up with immediacy, this Danish philosophy of hygge strips it back to the simple things that sometimes slip through our fingers.  We have our phrases at the ready, say that we have no time for ourselves, that perhaps we’ll find time next week, or the week after that. Often, that time never comes, and we are caught in a constant state of longing but feeling too guilty to indulge in quality time.

The beauty of the ‘hygge’ way of life is that it is doable, and incorporating this way of thinking into our habits can make our lives feel richer and more satiated. Although it is a lifestyle that can be practiced both indoors and outdoors, most people associate hygge with the coziness and warmth of the interior. Perhaps you want to create a space that feels a little more ethereal and exciting, so you put up twinkling fairy lights and light a sweet-smelling candle – in doing so, you’d be arguably embodying the hygge lifestyle.

Another Lesson in Scandinavian Wellbeing: Friluftsliv

Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is known to have invented the term ‘friluftsliv’, even though it was undoubtedly practiced long before his existence. Directly translated into ‘open-air-living’, it is a philosophy around the wellbeing gained from being outside in nature. If it sounds simple, it is because it is, and for Norwegians, this is kind of the point.

There have been countless studies linking the mental and physical benefits of spending more time in nature, benefits like a better working memory, stress reduction, and attention restoration.  Humans were undoubtedly meant to be more connected to the natural world than we are today, and it is no surprise that psychology reiterates this same message.

Is Hygge Only an Indoor Lifestyle?

Although hygge may often be thought of as a strictly indoor activity, plenty of Danes would argue that this is not the case. Like many words-turned-philosophies, hygge is more about an approach to life than a set of specific, unmovable actions. Like friluftsliv, the hygge way of living is focused on simple actions that prioritize our wellbeing with connection, be it to people, nature, or even yourself.

Walking around a nearby body of water, taking a hike with your partner, or spending some time gardening alone are all forms of the hygge lifestyle. Whatever you think, both philosophies share an underlying and powerful message: we need to create peaceful environments that encourage presence, well-being, and mindfulness.

Joy in the Journey: Embracing What Matters Most

Joy is too often characterized as this pot at the end of the rainbow, as this thing one can achieve after struggling and working hard over a long period of time. Joy should be simpler than that. If we only focus on big, long-term goals, we may just forget how to live and enjoy our world in the meantime. During the journey.

If we were to consider what things were important to us, we would discuss our families, our partners, our friends, as well as our hobbies and interests. These are the things that make our life worth living, that we wake up thinking about and go to sleep dreaming of. Isn’t it time to make our dreams a part of our reality?