Comfort is Key.

It may be too early to venture outside of your community and travel the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get down right cozy in the comfort of your own home. Just ask the Danes. They along with their Nordic neighbors embrace the concept of hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”).

Hygge is the sense of coziness, comfort and safety one feels when enjoying the simple pleasures in life, be it alone or with friends and family. In turn, this promotes a greater sense of wellbeing. There’s a reason the Nordic countries are consistently ranked among the happiest in the world.

When traveling through the Nordic countries, I experienced hygge every step along the way. It was the warm lighting, quaint decor and friendly wait staff at the restaurants. It was the holiday lights strung across the lamp posts. It was the sense of community experienced around me as colleagues and close friends crowded into pubs to share stories over beer.

One of my favorite places to travel is Reykjavík for that exact reason. It feels like another world. A place where one can go to truly unplug. But hey, there’s no reason hygge can’t be created in the comfort of our own homes! It’s time to get back in touch with your inner child. Remember the days of forts, treehouses and tents? A place for reading books, ideating, playing with friends, or watching movies? It’s time to recreate that in adult fashion.

If you enjoyed reading as a youth, consider creating a nook in your home, complete with candles, books, and blankets. If you loved treehouses and jumping in creeks, perhaps it’s time you find a local trail nearby to walk, hike or bike. Stop and truly smell the roses.

Hygge is also about connecting with friends and family. Until dinner parties and game nights can happen in larger groups, maybe you can meet for a socially distanced picnic in the park. There’s also concerts, comedy shows and movies all available in the comfort of your car. Have your friends park next to you and enjoy the show.

Whatever you do, embrace hygge.

Image: Lebowski Bar, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hygge at it’s finest!