Happiness the Danish way: 5 principles of the hügge philosophy that changes lives on all levels

The constant rush, multiple tasks, and large metropolitan areas force many people to be in a frenzied rhythm. Sometimes this way of life can be seriously stressful, exhausting and even cause illness. We should learn from the Danes. They know how to find joy, enjoy the little things and be some of the happiest people in the world. Their secret is the hügge philosophy. Before the third round Euro match between Denmark and Serbia, let’s find out what it is.

Hugge philosophy helps to slow down and relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When a person creates a cozy atmosphere around him, it helps to relieve tension. Together with an expert, let’s find out how to fill up with energy in time and maintain balance.

general practitioner of BestDoctor Group

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not just the absence of disease and physical defects. Hügge means creating a cozy atmosphere and enjoying the moment. To furnish your home in a style that is close to you, to gather with friends, to cook dinner together – these small but important things are what make a person happy”.

What we will talk about

History of the origin of the philosophy

The word “hügge” originated in the Scandinavian countries. It first appeared in Danish writing around the end of the 18th century. Hugge denoted a sense of security and comfort. Since then, it has become an integral part of the culture.

In the 21st century, the Danish concept of happiness has reached the peak of popularity. In 2016, Mike Viking’s book “The Little Book of Hygge” was published. It quickly became a bestseller and spread the concept around the world. People in many countries started using the Danish secrets of happiness.

Today, hügge is a whole philosophy that teaches to enjoy simple things, appreciate the present moment and create a homey atmosphere around you. It helps to slow down and enjoy life. This, in turn, has a positive impact on our emotional and mental health.

The basic principles of hügge

The hügge philosophy has its own definite principles that help us relax and enjoy life. In fact, they are as simple and straightforward as possible. Their observance can bring a lot of joy and harmony. I propose to consider in detail each of them.

1. Create comfort around you

The first principle is to always surround yourself with a cozy atmosphere and pleasant things. It can be anything: soft plaids and pillows, beautiful lighting, favorite music or the scent of candles.

It is important to make your space pleasant for rest and relaxation. Create a cozy corner for reading, a comfortable and warm place to rest, enjoy the moments of coziness with a cup of hot drink.

Your home is a fortress. If you are happy with your surroundings and objects, it creates a sense of security. When you come home, it is necessary to rest from work, to regain your strength. To maintain physical health, prevent the development of chronic diseases, it is important to eat right, exercise, and be in an atmosphere that will really bring pleasure.

2. Choose a minimalist interior design

Minimalism helps to create a space that is easy to breathe in. According to hügge, the interior should not be bright. The absence of unnecessary details and clutter is important.

Simplicity and minimalism can help to be calmer. The first thing that can create a favorable atmosphere in the home is colors. They have a significant impact on the psycho-emotional state of a person.

For example, it is believed that an excess of red makes a person more nervous, can lead to the emergence of aggression and depression. Green, on the contrary, calms and increases efficiency.

The right color scheme in the interior, the absence of a large number of objects, clutter can help to be happier. Use natural materials, neutral colors and functional furniture.

3. Appreciate the moment

The secret of Danish happiness also lies in being in the here and now. You don’t need to be distracted by the hustle and bustle and worrying about the future. For example, try enjoying the taste of your morning coffee, a walk in the fresh air or a cozy evening with a book.

It can be easy to get bogged down in chaos and forget to appreciate the little things if you are in an endless race to work, sections, and your head is always busy thinking about household chores. The ability to enjoy small pleasures has a positive impact on well-being.

Stop for a minute and observe what surrounds you. Taking the time to do so can add a pleasant feeling to your day.

Appreciating the moment means paying attention to details and feeling grateful for the small joys of life. This approach helps you understand yourself better and experience more happiness and fulfillment from each day.

4. Spend cozy evenings

Evening is a time when you can completely relax. The key is not to think about work or other worries. Start by creating the right environment. Soft light of lamps and candles, cozy plaids will help to make your evening really pleasant. You can play music or nature sounds to create a peaceful atmosphere.

Another option is to take a relaxing bath. Draw warm water, add special products, dim the lights and enjoy the silence.

Working without weekends, we risk professional burnout. Because of this, a person can experience constant stress, lethargy, reduced efficiency. It is very important to devote time to favorite activities, hobbies, invite friends and “turn off” the brain.

5. Socialize with friends and family

One of the core values of friendship is being able to receive and provide support. Why it’s important. The support of loved ones can help us get through whatever challenges we face. Even when there seems to be no way out.

Quality, warm communication is an important part of life. It supports psychological well-being. But sometimes we don’t have enough time to spend with our closest people. This habit should be changed.

Together with friends and family you can arrange an evening by the fireplace, drink tea, play board games. Turn off the phones, talk, share emotions about the lived time. It is in such moments that we feel truly happy people.

Practical tips for creating the right atmosphere

You can choose one of the principles and gradually implement it in your life. Creating a hügge atmosphere and following this philosophy is actually easier than it seems. I share practical tips on how to start the changes.

Hügge in the interior

Features of the interior in the hügge style: minimalism, natural materials, a combination of unusual textures. Use soft and warm lighting, table lamps, garlands and candles to create a cozy and relaxing environment. Textiles also play an important role. Add soft plaids, fluffy rugs and plenty of pillows to the interior.

Most often the Danes themselves use natural materials: cotton, linen, wool. They should be pleasant to the touch. In the color scheme, choose light tones. For example, white, beige, gray. Such shades create a calm and peaceful atmosphere.

In the decor stick to a minimalist approach. Decorate the house with photos and personal items, but try to avoid clutter.

Recipes for the hügge-atmosphere

Delicious food and cozy get-togethers are an essential part of hügge. Homemade baked goods will fill the house with flavor and warmth. Try making apple pie or cinnamon rolls. Warm drinks will also create a pleasant atmosphere. You can make tea, coffee, cocoa or non-alcoholic mulled wine.

For cozy sit-downs, a cheese, vegetable, fruit or berry plate is ideal. This simple treat looks very pretty on the table and also doesn’t require much time.

Meetings with loved ones

Spending time with loved ones helps you feel a surge of energy, joy and happiness. Get together with friends and family on a regular basis. These can be dinners, parties or just quiet evenings with a cup of tea.

Try making a delicious meal or baking with friends. Cooking together brings you closer together and creates a warm atmosphere.

Next, organize a cozy evening with board games or watching your favorite movies. Create a comfortable space with soft plaids, pillows and dim lighting. It’s important to make everyone feel at home.

Have heart-to-heart conversations, share stories, memories and dreams. Sincere communication helps to get closer, to deal with worries. Pay attention to each guest, creating an atmosphere in which they feel important and loved.

Spend time outdoors, walking through parks or having picnics. Enjoy moments together, take pictures and videos of yourself.

A great idea is to create your own little traditions. These can be weekly family dinners or seasonal celebrations. Decorate the house together, cook special meals, and exchange attention and care. These simple but important actions help you feel real happiness and harmony.

In today’s world, the percentage of unhappy and lonely people is growing every year. That is why it is so important for us to learn to enjoy small things, appreciate our loved ones and create a good mood ourselves.

Today, the philosophy of hügge is becoming especially important. It allows us to find comfort and happiness in every day, change the atmosphere around us and strengthen ties with dear people. Be inspired by the principles of hügge to live a meaningful life and enjoy pleasant moments.