The following blog has been written by one of our therapists Kayley Wynne. Kayley has recently been presenting to the team the benefits of hygge and has been practicing these comfy skills herself. Kayley is sharing some of her wisdom with you all in the following article.
Thank you for your wisdom Kayley……….
This time of year can be filled with hope towards a new year for some, and the challenges of cold weather and darker days (changing seasons) for others. After a busy holiday season it is important to notice how the change in weather can affect us. The days feel shorter, darker, and they often start to blend together. This begins every fall and continues into the winter months. We begin to feel “blaaaahs”, which represent feeling dull, low energy, and lower moods than we are used to. This is a natural and fleeting experience to some, however for others, it can be experienced for longer periods of time and feel heavier, going beyond the typical “winter blues”. We call this Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it is a form of depression that is directly connected to the changes in season, most commonly the winter months.
Whether you land on the spectrum of the “blahs” of winter or experience S.A.D, I would like to introduce you to the culture of “Hygge” so you can implement a new way to care for yourself throughout these winter months.
The New Yorker writes: “hygge,” a Danish term defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Pronounced “hoo-guh,” the word is said to have no direct translation in English, though “cozy” comes close.
The Scandinavian countries have learned how to adapt to their long, ice cold, dark winters by bringing warmth, comfort, and cozy vibes into their daily lives and homes. We could all take some notes from this culture, they do have the highest happiness levels when compared to the United States and Canada! Hygge is the feeling of well being found through cherishing the simple pleasures of life. We can experience hygge alone, by lighting a candle, wrapping ourselves in a fuzzy blanket, enjoying a cup of tea, or by relaxing by the fire while reading our favourite book or listening to our favourite songs by the fire. We can also experience the feeling of hygge by joining friends or family members around a dinner table filled with laughter or playing board games in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. It is a way to build connection with yourself and others in your daily experience.
This is something we adapted to during the time of isolation with covid, we all searched for things that could bring us a feeling of comfort and simple joy, in the midst of fear and uncertainty. We had to learn how to build our own sanctuary, and I want to encourage you to intentionally continue to do this as our lives get busier and we transition towards a “new normal”.. Integrating hygge into your morning routine before work, or when the “Sunday scaries”come on can be very supportive to our wellbeing. When the symptoms of S.A.D feel overwhelming it is an important reminder to look at the ways you are caring for yourself each day and the connections to those around you. Daily practices of hygge have been found to be very supportive for combating S.A.D and improving mood.
Below is a link to: 100 Ideas To Add Hygge Into Your Everyday Life : 100 Ideas for hygge
My favourites so far are:
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Treat yourself to a stay-in-bed-day or pj day one weekend and feel no guilt.
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Challenge yourself to get some fresh air every day and see how much it benefits both your mental and physical health.
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Start a cinema club with like minded friends for regular movie nights.Don’t succumb to presenteeism: if you’re sick, stay home and properly recover.
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If you’re working from home, close the work day with a little hygge ritual like lighting a candle and turning on some music as you put away your laptop and clear your work space.
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Spend a rainy Sunday watching old movies from when you were a kid.
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Head out to a favourite museum or art gallery and team it with lunch somewhere you’ve been wanting to try.
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Have a hygge baking afternoon listening to old songs on the radio.
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Indulge in the Nordic tradition of Fridagsmys or cosy Fridays: staying in and enjoying simple pleasures such as games, movies, and sweets.
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Start each day by taking 2 minutes to remind yourself of the good things in your life. The feeling of hygge is closely linked with contentment & gratitude, so help yourself to feel it.
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Buy yourself some flowers for no reason other than to brighten up your favourite room.
I highly recommend taking a look at the 100 ideas link and exploring how to cultivate a hygge outlook on daily life. Some of these you may already do and some you may feel open to trying and challenging yourself.
Please remember if you are struggling with the change of the seasons or S.A.D symptoms we are here to support you here at Energy Tap.