From natural disasters to presidential decisions, there are many things in life we can’t control. But to stay sane and — gasp — even happy, we should focus our efforts on what we can control, like aspects of our home and work environments.
A recent trip to Copenhagen opened my eyes to how easily, effortlessly and inexpensively we can all create nurturing, positive environments in which to spend our time. The Danes call this hygge, pronounced “hoo-gah,” or a sort of coziness and comfort that contributes to well-being. It’s part of their secret for staying so healthy and happy throughout their lives. Here’s how to foster more hygge in your life:
1. Embrace coziness.
Coziness can be a fleece blanket, well-worn slippers, fires on cold nights, cuddles on the couch or a bed with your favorite pillow. We may think of coziness as selfish or a luxury, but finding it every day is essential to your health and well-being.
Do you have a cozy room, cozy clothes or a cozy piece of furniture? Make it a point to use them daily. If you have a fireplace, the warmth and the glow can help good feelings flow. Is your office freezing and noisy? Do what you can to keep it comfortable and soothing. For example, use a space heater, leave a cozy wrap on your chair and consider headphones for noise control.
2. Seek comfort.
While the comfortable choice isn’t always the healthiest choice (like when you remain on the couch when your body needs more movement or mindlessly eat the tub of ice cream after a breakup), other times, it can be healing. For example, indulging in a slice of chocolate cake to celebrate a birthday can bring about positive emotions, while slurping a bowl of chicken soup when you have a cold can be soothing. You can also give comfort to others with a hug or shoulder to cry on, a home-cooked meal or a cup of coffee or tea.
[See: 6 Good Reasons to Eat Sugar and Not Apologize for It.]
Consider your wardrobe, too. Are your clothes comfortable, or are they constricting? If you invest in clothes that make you feel good — even if you wish you were a different size — chances are, you’ll begin acting in ways that better support your health and happiness, too.
When you think about your exercise, are you pleasantly fatigued at the end of your workout or ready to collapse? Some discomfort in exercise is normal and necessary for growth, but pain or extreme discomfort is not. Save yourself from injury and listen to your body.
[See: 7 Signs You Should Stop Exercising Immediately.]
3. Splurge on candles.
I had an opportunity to dine in a Danish home, which was well-decorated with candles on the buffet and the table. Not only do they brighten up a room, but they also create a warm and welcoming environment. You don’t have to spend a fortune on scented candles; good old tea lights work beautifully. An added bonus? We all look better in candlelight!
4. Choose foods that appeal to the eyes and the tongue.
The Danes enjoy good food at every hour of the day. They appreciate beautiful pastries and good coffee for breakfast, open-faced sandwiches for lunch and tasting courses of fish, pasta, vegetables and meats at dinner. They even regularly enjoy sweet, tart and creamy combinations for dessert (in appropriate portions, of course).
While it may sound indulgent, the fact that the Danes tend to truly enjoy their eating experiences helps keep them in shape. With food that is beautiful, we don’t have to distract ourselves with texting and tweeting, which takes away from the enjoyment of eating.
To take a move from their playbook, try making an open-faced sandwich instead of that same old turkey sandwich. The taste sensations of pickled foods, smoked foods and the chewiness of good bread will surely give you a new lunchtime favorite. Here are some topping ideas for a good, thinly-sliced piece or two of rye bread:
— A thin spread of hummus, a slice of Gouda, cherry tomatoes and watercress
— A thin spread of horseradish sauce, smoked salmon, pickled red onions, sliced cucumbers, dill
— A thin spread of guacamole or avocado, sliced eggs, chives and capers
5. Care about your community.
Copenhagen has a great food scene, but there is also tremendous appreciation for the farmer, the chef and the neighbor who may have a hard time getting enough food to eat. They have cooking classes for children, make sure that the elderly are fed and have bicycle-powered food carts that go to communities with produce, grains and other items. This community-oriented mindset provides health benefits to those who give as well as those who receive.
[See: 11 Ways Healthy Community Design Is Working.]
Caring about your community, too, can lead to efforts that make it easier to get outside. In Denmark, for example, the desire to use the rivers for swimming year-round led to a 10-year cleanup so that on a cold or warm day, swimmers, kayakers and boaters can use the waterways. No matter where you live, you can organize a cleanup or petition for safe outdoor spaces for everyone. This can start with establishing a community garden, where everyone who pitches in can have access to what’s grown.
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5 Ways to Live Like a Dane originally appeared on usnews.com
