Hygge! The Danish secret for well-being :)
The Danish word "hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") translates roughly to "cosiness," but it means so much more than that. So what is hygge, really?
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What does hygge mean?
Hygge is as Danish as æbleskiver and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people: The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cosying up with a loved one for a movie – that’s hygge, too. Picnics in the park, barbeques with friends, outdoor concerts, street festivals and bike rides can all be very hygge, especially when done the Danish way. And there's nothing more hygge than sitting around with friends and family, discussing the big and small things in life. Perhaps hygge explains why the Danes are some of the happiest people in the world :) |
The origins of Danish hygge
Hygge didn't originate in the Danish language but in old Norwegian, where it meant something like "well-being." It first appeared in Danish writing around the end of the 18th Century and the Danes have embraced it ever since.
One good thing about hygge is that you can apply it anywhere, and Danes allocate it generously to everything commonplace
Hygge didn't originate in the Danish language but in old Norwegian, where it meant something like "well-being." It first appeared in Danish writing around the end of the 18th Century and the Danes have embraced it ever since.
One good thing about hygge is that you can apply it anywhere, and Danes allocate it generously to everything commonplace
If you are in Denmark, you can begin your hygge adventure with the ultimate hygge and happiness tour or you can also hygge on a GoBoat, one of Denmark's solar-powered self-drive boats.
The high season of hygge is Christmas. Danes lead a secular lifestyle but when it comes to religious holidays, they pull out the stops. Danish winters are known to be long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge, and the millions of candles that go with it. If you have ever been to Tivoli Gardens or walked the streets of Copenhagen during the festive season, you have an idea of what Danes can do with lighting, mulled wine (gløgg for the locals), blankets and oversize scarves. If you haven’t, maybe it’s time you try.
Source: VisitDenmark
The high season of hygge is Christmas. Danes lead a secular lifestyle but when it comes to religious holidays, they pull out the stops. Danish winters are known to be long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge, and the millions of candles that go with it. If you have ever been to Tivoli Gardens or walked the streets of Copenhagen during the festive season, you have an idea of what Danes can do with lighting, mulled wine (gløgg for the locals), blankets and oversize scarves. If you haven’t, maybe it’s time you try.
Source: VisitDenmark
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