Hygge Yo' Self - That's Normal

Let’s face it, this past week was stressful. Like crawl-under-a-table-and-nurse-a-bottle-of-merlot-sans-glass stressful. While many were glued to their 24 hour news stations or checking social media every ten seconds for midterm election results, I decided to take a temporary timeout from all of the stress of poll drama and preliminary percentages. Did I go to the gym, excerise my stress away, and then eat a balanced and nutritious meal?

Hell no. I went full hygge.

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For those of you who have no idea what hygge is, let me start off by saying that no, it is not something your gynecologist would be trying to find while your legs are in those stirrups.

In Danish, hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”) means a mood of coziness or comfort, and it’s not just a word – it’s an entire way of life. Forget fast paced, always moving, and schedules. Hygge is all about being present – whether alone or with friends – slowing down, and finding comfort in life’s simple pleasures, which could be anything: a cup of coffee during a quiet morning, your favorite blanket fresh from the dryer, curling up on the couch on a rainy day and reading your favorite book that you’ve practically memorized, having friends over for a game night.

How can you hygge in your own home? Here’s just a few tips:

Hygge Up Your Space

It’s no secret that I love candles. I know that I should be embracing the essential oil diffuser trend because, y’know, health. While I do have a few diffusers around my house, there’s just something comforting about a room filled with lit candles, the lights from the flames flickering gently. Plus, diffuser noises just make me want to go to the bathroom.

Luckily for me, hygge is all about ambiance and warmth, and the Danes put my love of candles to shame. Make sure to mix unscented with scented candles or else your home is going to smell like Bath and Body Works during their buy 1 get 1 free sale. My favorite candle? Illume’s Grey Lavender.

Don’t just stop at candles. Swap that track lighting for some lamps for a more cozy feel. (My tip? Go with soft white light bulbs to help set that hygge mood.) Since the weather is getting cooler, put your favorite throw blankets on your couch or in a basket for easy reach. I’m obsessed with this Target throw blanket – it’s a sweater and a sherpa. Brilliant.

So, turn those lights down low, break out that pack of IKEA tea lights, relax but be responsible and don’t leave candles unattended.

Comfort Foods

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To be honest, hygge is not Whole 30 approved. Think of freshly baked bread or cinnamon rolls right from your oven. Hygge food is anything that is warm, decadent, and could possibly induce a well-earned food coma.

Does it have to pastries? Absolutely not. My go-to comfort food is Real Simple’s minestrone soup. It’s simple, practically fool-proof, and gives you enough time to get your hygge on and leftovers the next day.

Hygge Fashun

You’ve got your candles lit. There’s something simmering on the stove or baking in the oven. You’re so hygge, you’re looking up real estate in Denmark. But you’re forgetting the most important part of hygge: self-care.

While it’s essential to create a intimate, serene space, hygge is all about your own personal comfort and that typically starts with what you wear. Lounge clothes is a part of the hygge life: oversized sweaters, sweatpants, wool socks. While we were at SDCC, Beth introduced us to these joggers from American Eagle Outfitters, and to say we became obsessed with these pants would be an understatement.

I bought two pairs in the green alone and just ordered the gray. No regrets.

Whether it’s your favorite sweatshirt from college, those stretched out maternity leggings that are just too damn comfortable, or those yoga pants that have never seen a yoga studio, take care of yourself and hygge all day long!