The new year is in full swing, and the dreary doldrums of winter have set in. But is there a way to stave off “cabin fever” while frigid temperatures are reigning? To answer this question, we turned to one of the colder regions of the world – the Nordics – where happiness is not just a feeling, but a way of life.

Buckle your seatbelts and make sure your passport is up to date, because today we’re traveling to Denmark to learn about the cultural conviviality concept of “hygge.”

Is this what makes Denmark so happy? If it is, then what is hygge?

A happier, healthier country

Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world, according to the World Happiness Report.

Published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, a United Nations initiative, the World Happiness Report uses Gallup Poll data to measure six areas of life satisfaction: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust, and generosity.

In the most recent data set, for 2022, Denmark was ranked second out of 156 countries. Of note, all five Nordic countries – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland – are in the top 10. The United States, in comparison, ranked 16th.1

Since the first World Happiness Report in 2012, Denmark has been singled out for its high degree of equality, levels of social trust, and work-life balance.2

Work-life balance is one of the core concepts for Denmark’s happiness levels. All workers in Denmark receive five weeks of paid vacation – compared to the U.S. average of three weeks.3

Part of the equation in Denmark is a high level of social services – but also high taxes. The average Dane pays about 45 percent of their income in taxes.3 In exchange, health care is free, as is education up through the university level. Happiness helps Danes achieve longer, healthier lives. According to the World Health Organization, life expectancy in Denmark is 80.8 years, which is significantly higher than U.S. life expectancy at 77.8 years.4

Danes also experience higher levels of activity, aided by the country’s reliance on bicycles. Research from neighboring Sweden5 shows that cycling at least one kilometer – a little more than half a mile – to and from work is associated with lower obesity rates and cardiovascular risk factors. Cycling also contributes to societal health, because it results in a lower carbon footprint and less pollution in cities where biking is the primary form of transportation.

What’s hygge got to do with it?

So let’s move on to that funny word at the beginning of the article. Hygge (say it like HYOO-guh).

What does hygge mean? Hygge is a Danish word that means “cozy” or “pleasant.” Although the word has been around since the 1800s, in the last century it has evolved into a way of life.6

It’s less a description of something, and more a personal sense of belonging and well-being. Hygge and things that are “hyggelig” help put the mind at ease.

One can feel hygge at home or hygge out in the world. One can feel hygge when all alone or when surrounded by friends and family. Hygge can be doing something enjoyable or doing nothing at all. Hygge is all about feeling content with what you have, where you are, and who you share it with.

In wintertime, cold weather can make each day a struggle. This is why the high season for making things hygge is winter. Follow these tips for lifting your spirits with a little hygge:

  1. Spend time with friends and family. Schedule a weekly get-together over coffee or brunch. Visit with older relatives. Have you called your mother or grandmother lately?
  2. Remove work-life distractions. Leave work on time and leave work at the office. Turn off your cell phone and unplug once in a while. Take a day off for your mental health.
  3. Clear your home and clear your mind. Get rid of clutter with a jumpstart on spring cleaning. Create a simple space where you feel at peace. Add some simple decorations but give your space room to breathe.
  4. Practice mindfulness and meditation. Stress can build up with an unbalanced work-life, and taking time to defog yourself can help you feel more at ease in your own space. Turn off the lights and light an aromatic candle to help you get in the mood.
  5. Go outside for a walk or fresh air. The Danes have a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.” Rain and cold weather rarely keep the Danes inside. Be smart, though, and practice safe hygge indoors if the weather conditions are truly hazardous.
  6. Eat, drink, and be hygge! On cold nights, curl up with a cup of tea or hot cocoa. Bake some cookies or cinnamon rolls. Let yourself indulge in comfort foods once in a while.

One final bit of wisdom: Although hygge is often associated with warmth and coziness, hygge is not just for winter months. You can make every season hygge by engaging in the activities that make you happy and feel at home wherever you are, whatever the season.

The takeaway

Did you know that northern latitudes can put you at greater risk for a vitamin D deficiency? Brighten your day with vitamin D, which supports healthy mood, as well as bones, muscles, teeth, and immune function.* Feeling stressed? Then take Thorne’s Stress Quiz to find the right nutritional supplement for you or explore our suite of stress management supplements.

References

  1. Helliwell JF, et al. “World Happiness Report 2022.” The World Happiness Report. 2022. https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2022/
  2. Sustainable Development Solutions Network. “Why Finland and Denmark are happier than the U.S. Home.” The World Happiness Report. 2020. https://worldhappiness.report/news/why-finland-and-denmark-are-happier-than-the-us/
  3. “Why Danes appreciate the high Danish income tax rate.” IRIS FMP. 2022. https://fmpglobal.com/blog/why-danes-appreciate-the-high-danish-income-tax-rate/
  4. World Health Organization. “State of Health in the EU - Denmark: Country Health Profile 2017.” European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2023, from https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/355977/Health-Profile-Denmark-Eng.pdf
  5. Grøntved A, et al. Bicycling to work and primordial prevention of cardiovascular risk: A cohort study among Swedish men and women. Journal of the American Heart Association 5(11);2016. https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.116.004413
  6. Denmark Media Centre. "What is 'hygge'?". VisitDenmark 2023. from https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/things-do/danish-culture/what-hygge