Danish way of living
We were all eager to discover cozy ways to stay warm with Valentine's Day right around the corner. It's not often that seasons of love and warm weather co-exist.Danish way of living
Buy the best mattress online? Like it?
Not. Very. Often.
You've probably been aware of the Danish obsession with hygge, also known as Hygge. This was the one that was able to take the UK and the US by storm in the year 2016. Not sure? On this secret way of living comfortably, more than 12 books have been published! One of the books is The Little Book of Hygge (cute you think?) It's even a New York Times Bestseller
No, not at all. There's no need to search for it. We're sure of what we're talking about. We'd love to share this amazing Danish idea with you. We'll even show you how to Hygge, so that you can have a warm and cozy February. And perhaps even the year.
Let's get started
What is Hygge?
Hygge is a sensation. The definition is "a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that creates a sense of happiness or well-being" - you feel hygge when you feel good.
In fact, you've already had a hygge experience more than you realize it. How about reading a book in bed? That's hygge.
Do you want to spend your time in the great outdoors with your pet? It's also known as hygge. On a cold morning, a hot cup o' cocoa was a welcome treat. And even more Hygge.
Hygge has been an integral element of Danish culture since the beginning of time. Miek Wiking is the creator of the Little Book of Hygge and is also the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen.
"A distinctive aspect of our culture's identity" and "An integral part of the nation's DNA"
The truth is that Denmark was ranked as the second happiest country in the world in 2020. Therefore, hygge must be grounded in the real world. Let's find out how you can incorporate hygge in your daily life.
How to Hygge Everyday
To begin, let us clarify one thing. Hyggelig can refer to almost everything that's hygge.Do you like to curl up at home in your favorite sweatpants and would never wear your sweatpants out? That's the Danish term for it - hyggebukser.
Do you like cashmere socks? Well, that counts as Hygge too.
But, if you'd like to transform into an expert at hygge, and live a cozy lifestyle, here are few things to help you get cozy this season This season
Hygge candles can brighten your home
You can create your own Hyggekrog
The most likely to be our favorite part of hyggelig culture Hyggekrog is essentially your super cozy nook. You've got a spot within your home where you can curl up with a book, pillow, or someone special.
It is recommended to have many pillows on your hyggekrog to have a warm and comfortable mattress. Have one but don't know where to purchase one? You can always go online bed mattress shopping. Are you having trouble finding the right place to purchase mattresses online? SleepyCat offers a wide range of top-quality mattresses and offers a variety of choices!
Get some blankets on
Whatever comforter you pick, a soft blanket to snuggle yourself in will make you feel warm and cozy. To make your living space more inviting, add woolen socks to the blanket as well as oversized sweaters. If summer hits, you can swap these sheets for cool, crisp cotton sheets with huggable pillows.
A delicious meal at your side at night
You can indulge in hot chocolate or home-cooked food, but you must also feel at ease and at ease in your secure area. A sense of comfort and familiarity makes a space appear warm and welcoming. The Danish recommend mindful eating. Don't allow your expectations to get in the way of an enjoyable meal.
Your family members are your most trusted friends
Hygge is the ability to relish the moment, the simple pleasures of living with the ones closest to you. Although it can be experienced in solitude, the positive effects of hygge are magnified when you are with the people you cherish.
Enjoy a film tucked away in a blanket, enjoy time with your loved ones the comfort of your home, or host a warm small dinner. Whatever you choose to do, you can bring out the warmth of hygge while you're with the people who you love.
Bonus: If you can achieve a sense of hygge you will be able to sleep peacefully each night
While a good night's sleep isn't a requirement for living hygge, however, it can be a great way to feel the cozy feeling that you get. A restful night is among the greatest pleasures of the world. It can positively impact your entire day. However, in order to get a good night's sleep, you must have the best equipment. Consider getting a SleepyCat to guide you to the ideal mattress for your needs. You'll have the most comfortable sleep you've ever had!
5 steps for a more “hygge” life and regenerating nights
The premises sound good, so why not try to be more “hygge” in everyday life? Give it a go like this:
- Make your home a cozy place where you can inhale that peaceful and intimate atmosphere. The Danes spend a lot of time at home during the cold winters, so they are real experts in making it as cozy as possible. A home where you can relax, forget work-related problems, and enjoy an exceptional rest.
- Lights are of fundamental importance, preferably warm and soft ones: especially in the evening, it’s a good habit to keep lights as low as possible to get used to the darkness and fall asleep better and faster.
- Share your time with the people you love: there is no better way to relax, be happy and live your life better.
- Cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate or even better a relaxing herbal tea: in this article, we suggested 5 different herbal teas for a great rest.
- Give shape to your “higgekrok”, or “nest”, where you can lay on soft pillows, wrapped in a warm blanket, sipping a good cup of tea. Higgekrok is your personal retreat, a place in the house where you can relax and pamper yourself. Follow the same rules to make your bedroom the most relaxing place in the house: always choose neutral shades and natural materials, low lights, and no electronic devices in the room!
What does “Hygge” mean?
There have been many attempts to translate this word, which apparently seems to exist only in Danish, but it is practically impossible to find the equivalent in other languages.
“Hygge” in fact indicates a precise experience of intimacy, comfort, familiarity, safety, and well-being. Meik Wiking defines it as the feeling we have when we’re surrounded by dear ones, everyone is happy and relaxed around the magical warmth of a wintery fireplace, sipping a good cup of hot chocolate. You know what kind of feeling we’re talking about, right?
Sleep is absolutely vital for health and wellbeing, something that research continues to confirm over and over again.
“It has become increasingly clear, however, that no matter how hectic our lives may be, we can no longer afford to ignore what research is telling us about the importance of sleep for our safety and mental and physical well-being,” writes researcher Susan L. Worley in “The Extraordinary Importance of Sleep,” published in Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Sadly, many of us simply don’t get enough of it. We pack our days with work, family, and hobbies and when nighttime arrives, we collapse into bed, scanning our phones before falling into a restless sleep. The next morning, we jolt awake to our alarms buzzing, blurry-eyed, and do it all over again. This can’t continue! With such a strong link between sleep and your physical and mental health, it might be time to make some changes to your sleep strategy to get those 8+ hours you know you need. One suggestion? Follow the Scandinavian sleeping method.
DEFINING THE SCANDINAVIAN SLEEP METHOD
In the Scandinavian sleep method, simplifying sleep is key. You might remember our discussion on why Scandinavians sleep without a top sheet; an extra sheet or a pile of pillows simply isn’t necessary for a good night’s sleep and, in fact, these items can get in the way of restful sleep. So it might seem counterintuitive to take on the other common Scandinavian sleep component—sleeping with two duvets. How does adding another duvet to the bed help you get a more restful night’s sleep? Let’s break down the pros and cons of sleeping with separate duvets.