10 Days Of Hygge: Day 1

What is hygge?

Scandinavia ranks highly on all the main factors found to support happiness: caring, freedom, generosity, honesty, health, income and good governance.  With the long dark nights, they have to have a mind-set of positivity. So, when it's cold and snowing outside they turn the situation around and light a fire, candles and get blankets. They take enjoyment from the warmth they experience while reading a book by the fire and watching the snow fall outside. This concept around living for now is known as 'Hygge' (which can be pronounced hue-guh).

Hygge doesn't have a direct translation into English but is about embracing the simple moments in life with such joy and appreciation.  Whether it be a meal at home with good friends, playing board games or taking time to enjoy a sunny but cold woodland walk. It’s about tuning into the little moments in life that light you up and give you the fuzzy feeling. 

EYFS Manager Catherine didn’t know what the word Hygge meant but as a new EYFS manager of a nursery and reception team she was eager to discover more to improve the levels of engagement with the reception children.Catherine turned into what interests her children had, discovering what made them light up by teaching in a child led way.   

1. How to find your hygge? Make a list of all the things that light you up in life. Make a list of what you do each day. Start to build into your day some moments of joy from the first list. It could be as simple as setting your alarm clock one hour earlier to get up and have a quiet coffee before the rest of the house wakes up. Or a walk in nature over lunch- soaking up some essential vitamin D.
2. Turn off electronic devices and get cosy by a fire or snuggled up in a blanket. Light some candles and be in the moment feeling the joy.
3. Create a hygge vision board.

Hygge will look different for everyone and that’s what’s wonderful about it- it’s personal to you.