THE secret to happiness may have its roots in Danish culture, which is not surprising given the country is consistently ranked among the world’s happiest countries every year.
‘Hygge’ is a Danish term which means living with a certain quality of comfort that makes you happy, and has gained global recognition in recent years.
The concept is slowly creeping its way into homes all over the world, and encourages surrounding oneself with soothing things like a fresh cup of tea or soft, woolly socks.
It’s easy to incorporate this lifestyle into the home, by putting a few extra candles, blankets and sheepskin rugs lying around the house.
The key is to surround yourself with things that make you happy – be that a warm fireplace, a dinner party with friends or a roll of freshly baked bread.
The key to hygge, unsurprisingly, is everything in moderation. While one cup of coffee might bring you that feeling of contentment, another three will likely just leave you feeling feel anxious or agitated.
There is also a special emphasis put on artisan and homemade products, as who can argue against the happiness found in a batch of cookies straight from the oven?
Or the significance of a hand knitted scarf from a friend or loved one?
The lifestyle can have a significant impact on your emotional and physical health.
The Danes put special emphasis on getting out into the fresh air, scheduling some ‘me time’ into the diary and regularly checking out of social media.
Taking a walk several times a week will undoubtedly boost fitness levels and ‘me time’ and social media detoxes are known to improve general happiness and well-being.
So the next time you feel like life is getting you down, just ask yourself what a Dane would do.
