Winter Is Here-- And so Is Hygge!

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I’m sure by now you have all felt the effects of the sun setting before 5 pm.  Those dark winter months of the Pacific Northwest are here to stay, at least until next March.  After the manic fun-filled energy of the summer months, it can be hard to feel jazzed about winter.  Or is that just me? The sun has usually been set for an hour or two by the time I get off work, which makes life feel a little less joyful.  But here in Oregon, it’s nowhere near as bad as even more northern latitudes.  Surely, people must find a way to cope with the dark and dreary winter? Right? 

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The Nordic countries, Denmark and Norway in particular, have crafted a cultural phenomenon around these winter months. It’s called hygge (pronounced like hyoog-uh).  At their northernmost regions, these nations only see 1-4 hours of sunlight a day, sometimes even less. It can be difficult to feel happy and cheery when you don’t get nearly enough sunlight.  Hygge translates to “coziness” in English, but it carries more meaning than just the straight translation.  At its core, it’s about gathering with loved ones and feeling cheerful and content in the moment. It is not, despite some companies’ best efforts, a buyable commodity or marketing scheme.  It is more like a moment in your life where, despite the crappy weather outside, you are warm and happy and filled with love. The closest equivalent I can think of in American culture is the super-cheesy Christmas Spirit you see in commercials around the holidays. Minus the capitalism. Don’t get me wrong; I love hygge.  It is the only way I can make it through the winter season in the land of the 4 pm sunset. 

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So what types of activities are considered to be hygge? Think wrapping up in a cozy blanket with a cup of hot cocoa,or sitting by the fire on a cold night.  Doing puzzles, reading in bed, watching a movie with the kids and a big bowl of popcorn-- all hygge. It’s about making the most of the time we have and sharing moments with the people we care about.  Miek Viking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute and author of “The Little Book of Hygge” describes a very hygge moment spent in a cabin one Christmas.  No matter what you describe as hygge, it should always  have a certain emphasis on simplicity and camaraderie in the present moment. Here at the Pearl, we see moments of hygge play out everyday.  It’s two friends giggling in the lounge as they sip tea before their appointments.  It’s coworkers going on a wintry walk around the block together on their lunch break. 

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Where do you see hygge in your life?  If you feel stressed by the lack of sunshine, how might you enjoy incorporating this into your life? I’d love to hear more about your definition of the word in the comments below.

Wishing you all a warm, safe, and hyggelig December,

Hannah.

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