Who said we could only hygge in the winter when summer has so many comfortable elements to enjoy? Hygge is more than lighting candles and cozying up under fluffy blankets to escape the winter blues – it’s something that can be enjoyed all year round.
As the season changes, we have more reasons to get out of the house and do things that make us comfortable and happy. With summer around the corner, it’s about time to enjoy extended daylight, the great outdoors, and take note of life’s simple pleasures. The beauty of summer is all the things that can be enjoyed for free – a glass of rose in the garden, a sunny day at the seaside, reading a book under a pine tree.
Summer is almost here, and with it, you can take your time to engage all your senses and appreciate the sights, the smells, the sounds, and the fragrance of long, warm days and gentle nights.
First things first, what exactly is Hygge?
Hygge is A Danish word meaning “quality of coziness and comfortable pleasantness that engenders a feeling of well-being and contentment.” Basically, it’s when you are comfortable doing something, and you feel good about it.
You can use ultra-soft loungwear sets, comfortable sleepers, a nice cup of coffee, or just a tasty meal to achieve Hygge. It’s the feeling, not the cause, that’s important. Although it might seem like Hygge is only suitable during the winter months, the Danish Way of Living does not take a break during the summer. In fact, you should challenge yourself to savor the small delights and simple joys that summer can bring, like longer days, animal sightings, and abundant plant life.
Remove Stressors, Simply Enjoy Your Day
A great way to start your summer hygge is to remove stressors. If you want to improve your well-being, anything in your life that makes you feel sad or stressed is not allowed. Not for nothing, Hygge is the absence of anything annoying or emotionally overwhelming.
Hygge during summer is best followed by getting in touch with nature. Obviously, spending time curled up in your room and buried under sheets with a book sounds great, but summer hygge brings it all outdoors.
If a backyard, terrace, or porch is an option, feel free to invite a small group of friends or do a makeover to enjoy the lazy, long days right outside your home. Make it happen with some chairs and tables, a cool pitcher of sangria, some cake, or pastries, and spend time with your friends or prepare to have some quiet “me time” afternoon.
Camping and Stargazing
In Denmark, picnics and BBQs are indispensable, with snacks, in the beginning, protein/fish and veggies in the middle, and an assortment of desserts and coffee to finish it off.
Leaving that aside, wherever you are in the world, as long as you enjoy your time outdoors, food and people that bring you a feeling of appreciation, relaxation, and gratitude, that is what matters.
Mushroom Foraging
In the Nordic countries, towards the end of the summer, mushrooms start popping here and there. You will see different sizes and shapes of mushrooms coming out. If you’ve never done it before, this summer might be a great time to start.
If you follow the right guide, you can quickly learn what you can eat, what is poisonous and what is not. Going out into the wild and foraging for food is a great adventure that is good for the body and soul. But if you don’t have any mushroom forests nearby, this will translate to fishing. It’s basically the same feeling of relaxation, contentment, and satisfaction. Just sitting by the river, creek, or sea and enjoying or just being present. That, right there, is hygge.
Cooking Bakes Up Hygge and Happiness
Let’s start by acknowledging that sometimes take-outs or frozen pizza will have to do with those bad days. That’s absolutely fine, especially when you do what you need to do to keep things rolling.
However, on those other days, where maybe you’re not so tired or just want to bring some joy back in your kitchen, there are some ways to bring the hygge spirit to your meal. As you start doing that, you will notice that:
- There is something very relaxing about chopping vegetables.
- Homemade dinner can be more delicious and quicker than you thought.
- You find yourself following fewer YouTube tutorials and cooking more by instinct based on the ingredients and herbs you have at hand.
- Nothing compares to the bright, fresh taste of hamade marinade or vinaigrette
Treat yourself to a Hammock
Be it outdoor or indoor, there’s something about hammocks, and being able to lie there for hours on end, gently swaying, has got to be one of the must-do hygge activities.
Even better, you can place your hammock somewhere outside the city with a clear view of the starry sky. Sit in your hammock alone or snuggle together to relish one of the most beautiful shows on earth.
The splendor of shooting stars streaking across the night sky never ceases to be amazing. And, if that’s not hygge, we don’t know what else.