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It’s a easy reality of life that nobody does wellbeing fairly just like the Danes. They’ve gifted us a myriad of cosy rituals which might be so good for shorter days, we’re contemplating quitting our jobs simply to ensure we’ve got time for all of them (joking, however nonetheless).
Denmark is constantly ranked as one of many happiest nations on the planet, coming second in The University of Oxford’s 2025 World Happiness Report, regardless of being plunged into darkness for a lot of the yr. While many people within the UK can really feel anxious in regards to the nights drawing in, the Danes lean into this season. Averaging simply six hours of sunshine per day in winter, there’s loads of scope for hunkering down at residence.
And there’s certainly something to be said for embracing a slower pace of life at this time of year: take your cues from Mother Nature. The leaves are falling, ready for growth to slow, while animals are nesting and hibernating all around.
In fact, research shows that there are both biological and physical benefits to slowing down at this time of year. This study, printed in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism) reveals that we do certainly want extra sleep in winter, as ranges of melatonin (the sleepy hormone) rise in response to the darker days, whereas different research (like this one, from the journal Nutrients) reveal the hyperlink between power ranges and daylight – so you are not imagining feeling much less inclined to rise up and go, proper now.
The actuality, nevertheless, is that we won’t all hibernate from now till May, however we will deliver a little bit further cosiness into our on a regular basis lives by adopting a Nordic mindset. From hygge to hyggekrog (translated as ‘little nook’), we’re but to return throughout a Nordic wellbeing development we’re not totally on board with, and autumn is the right season to start out practising some cosy self-care, in our opinion.
Here, we have rounded up our favorite hygge-inspired wellbeing way of life traits to do this season. We hope you relaxation, calm down and revel in – and whilst you’re at it, do not miss our guides to the most effective wellness planners, our tried and examined self-care concepts, plus an expert-led information to the best way to set targets.
The Danish are masters of cosy autumnal wellbeing – here are our favourite trends to boost calm and wellness this season
What is the Danish hygge lifestyle trend?
The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) has been popularised over recent years, with the hashtags #hygge and #hyggerituals garnering thousands of views on social media, replete with gorgeous imagery of rain-soaked windows, steaming hot drinks and snuggly blankets.
The hygge lifestyle trend is the embodiment – and literal translation of – cosiness. While there’s no set formula, the practice encompasses soft lighting, comforting spaces, warmth, connection and nature. Think creating a calming nook, decked with your favourite blankets, candles and a book, and you’ve got the idea.
“When the nights start to draw in, often our first instinct is to fight the darkness,” says life coach Karen Whybrow. “But the Danish soften into it and call it hygge, the art of comfort, cosiness and quiet connection. A hygge-style wellbeing practice helps calm the nervous system and reminds the body it’s safe to slow down – a ritual that creates a pause between the doing and the being.”
While the rituals are uniquely private, there are a number of conventional practices that may function a place to begin so that you can make your personal.
1. Soft lighting
No big light people, here; hygge lighting is all about those softly lit corners.
“Think soft, golden light,” advises psychotherapist Kamalyn Kaur. “Try lamps with warm bulbs, candles, and fairy lights. Low, warm lighting signals safety to the nervous system and helps the body produce melatonin, promoting rest and emotional regulation.”
2. Create a cosy corner
There’s even a Danish word for cosy corner: “hyggekrog.” The idea here is to create a welcoming, cocooning space where you can escape the real world for a moment (or three).
“A hyggekrog is a small, dedicated space with a blanket, pillow, and book or journal,” says Kaur. “It creates a sensory ‘anchor’ for calm – a physical cue to slow down and shift from doing to being.”
3. Hot drink rituals
Name a more calming ritual than a mindful moment brewing a hot drink – we’ll wait.
“Mindful rituals like the hot drink practice activate parasympathetic responses (rest/digest) and soothe busy, anxious minds,” notes Kaur. “The key is ritual: preparing it slowly, noticing warmth, scent, and taste. Make your favourite drink – tea, chai, cacao, or even a spiced coffee – and enjoy.”
4. Connecting with nature
Surrounding ourselves with nature is calming at any time of year, but there’s something about a crisp autumn walk that gives us all the feels.
“Exposure to fresh air and natural light improves mood, reduces cortisol, and restores mental clarity,” advises Kaur. “Try some crisp walks, forest bathing, or just sitting outside with a blanket.”
5. Sink into textural comfort
In other words, make that snuggly throw your entire personality.
“The use of soft blankets is integral to the hygge wellbeing trend,” notes psychotherapist Karen Hartley. “The weight of a heavy blanket provides a soothing, hug-like sensation that can lower the heart rate and reduce cortisol levels. It’s a simple way to provide comfort, making me feel protected and contained. It’s a form of sensory soothing that is both primal and profoundly effective.”
6. Create moments of connection
While hygge lifestyle trends are largely solitary, it’s interesting to note that acts of social connection are also highly valued.
“The act of community combats the isolation that can creep in during the darker months and reinforces social bonds,” shares Hartley. “Small, low-pressure gatherings focused on shared comfort and conversation foster a sense of belonging and mutual support.”
7. Eat the season
“What could be cosiere than wrapping up warm and visiting a local farmers market for your seasonal fruit and vegetables to prepare some delicious nutrient dense meals for the week ahead,” suggests women’s health nutritionist Amie Parry-Jones. “Acknowledging the changing seasons and adapting the food you eat can also help create variation in the diet. This makes our gut bacteria more diverse and ensures a broader intake of the nutrients we need to stay healthy.
“The heartier meals related to autumn and winter months can pack an actual punch nutritionally: bone broth is usually related to cosy winter meals – soups, stews, pies, risottos. It is a good supply of collagen, amino acids, nutritional vitamins and minerals which makes it good for the immune system, pores and skin, joints and intestine well being. Root greens additionally are typically eaten extra in winter, providing plenty of dietary advantages together with fibre for digestive well being.”
What are the benefits of the hygge lifestyle trend?
As you’ll have gleaned, there are so many benefits to hygge. A wonderful antidote to the stresses and strains of modern life, it allows us to lean into mindful moments of calm, helping to regulate our nervous system and restore precious energy.
1. It helps ease stress and anxiety
“The soft lighting, comforting textures, and warm drinks associated with hygge activate the parasympathetic nervous system – our body’s “rest and digest” mode,” says Hartley. “It acts as a buffer against stress and anxiety, counteracting the “fight or flight” stress response, lowering cortisol levels, slowing a racing heart, and easing tension.”
2. It’s mindful
Working with all our senses is also a powerful mindfulness technique, helping us to root ourselves in the present moment. “Hygge helps anchor you in the present, pulling you away from ruminating on the past or worrying about the future – a key driver of anxiety and depression,” notes Hartley.
3. It boosts happiness and resilience
“Strong social bonds are one of the most significant predictors of long-term happiness and resilience,” notes Hartley. “Loneliness, on the other hand, is a major risk factor for both mental and physical decline. Hygge creates the perfect conditions for oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) to flow, deepening social connection and counteracting loneliness.”
4. It helps us to reframe rest
“The Nordic approach to wellbeing teaches us that rest is not laziness,” shares Whybrow. “It’s essential: their winters are long and dark, yet they thrive because they make beauty from simplicity. It’s a way of reminding ourselves that everything in nature rests before it blooms again.”
Who is a hygge lifestyle suitable for?
One of the best things about the trend is that it’s accessible to everyone, and you’re free to make it your own. That said, Kaur advises there are a few people who may particularly benefit from a hygge wellbeing practice:
- Anyone experiencing burnout, anxiety, or emotional fatigue.
- High-achievers and perfectionists who struggle to slow down.
- Those who feel disconnected from joy or presence.
- Anyone seeking to balance ambition and busyness with gentleness.
- Those who take time to adjust to the shorter days and longer nights
Shop MC UK’s go-to wellbeing essentials now:
Jo Malone London Wild Berry & Bramble Townhouse Candle
Embrace nightfall with flickering candlelight and the warming, soothing scent of Winter, courtesy of Jo Malone London Wild Berry & Bramble perfume.
Damson Madder Colour Block Striped Bonnet
Combining softness and heat, is there something extra comforting than a brilliant snuggly – and on development – bonnet? Pair with a tailor-made jacket for a classy, cosy look.
Pukka Herbs Premium Herbal Tea Selection Gift Set Box
Pop the kettle on and deal with your self to this tea lover’s reward set at Amazon. Choose from 9 completely different flavours, you will don’t have any excuse however to place your ft up for 5 minutes (at the very least).
How can I weave hygge way of life traits into my on a regular basis life?
One factor that hygge undoubtedly should not be about it creating one other factor to do, so it is necessary to concentrate on easy tweaks which you could incorporate simply into your on a regular basis life, for a wellbeing enhance. Because no person wants one other chore, proper?
“Hygge lifestyle is about layering intention onto your existing routine and creating micro moments of everyday cosiness,” agrees Hartley.
The 10-Minute pause: Instead of scrolling by your telephone throughout a break, dedicate 10 minutes to a single, cosy exercise. This might be: sipping a cup of espresso, focusing solely on its style and heat, taking a look at a photograph album, or just staring out the window on the rain.
Tactile consolation: Keep a smooth blanket in your couch. The easy act of wrapping it round your shoulders whilst you watch TV transforms the expertise from passive to comforting.
Start and finish the day with softness: The transitions into and out of your day are prime alternatives for creating calm.
The Candlelit Morning: Instead of jolting awake with a telephone alarm and shiny lights, attempt utilizing a delicate alarm sound. Place a small candle within the toilet or kitchen and light-weight it as your first act. Prepare your breakfast or espresso in its smooth glow.
The 10-minute rule: Finally, “Spend the first 10 minutes of your day sitting with your hot drink, just looking out the window or taking a few deep breaths, before checking any screens.”
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/health-fitness/hygge-lifestyle
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
