Getting Hygge with it this Winter!

"Hygge" is a Danish term defined as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” It helped to cheer people up during the cold, dark sameness of long winters. Hygge is candles, wool socks, snug slippers, woven textiles, pastries, blond wood, sheepskin rugs, lattes with milk-foam hearts, and a warm fireplace.  Hygge can be found at a cosy cafe or in the dry heat of a sauna. It is wholesome and nourishing, like porridge.

7 Tips for Creating Hygge this Winter:

1.     Add some spice to your tea! 
Danish doctors recommend “tea and hygge as a cure for the common cold” (1) Ginger, lemon and honey tea is a classic cold remedy. Chai is a delicious spicy tea that can be enjoyed with your favourite milk and honey. If you are looking for a caffeine free alternative, try dandelion chai tea with its rich, warm flavour. Next time you are at our clinic help yourself to nice hot cup of our winter tea. Our Winter Pukka Herbs tea range includes Winter Warmer, Lemon Ginger and Manuka Honey, Original Chai, Vanilla Chai and Three Ginger tea. All these teas are caffeine free except for the original chai and are  available for purchase.
 
2.     Enjoy hearty warming food
In winter, salads are not so satisfying, and it is the time for some cooked, energy rich and warming meals. Starchy vegetables like potatoes, turnips and carrots and sweet potatoes and pumpkin are in season, as well as garlic and ginger. That is just about everything you need to cook up a rich vegetable stew, soup or roast! For a bit of sweet refreshment once you are warm and cosy, the citrus family, including sweet oranges and mandarins are in season, with their high levels of immune-boosting vitamin C. It’s like Mother Nature has specifically designed winter seasonal plants to keep us healthy and well in Winter!

3.    Make your home a Hygge retreat
Create a cozy feeling with lamps and candles instead of overhead lighting. Complete the hygge feel with some soft woollens, snug slippers, woven textiles, pillows, throws and a sheepskin rug. Use seasonal colours that are warm and subtle with some strong orange and red to add passion and energy. Try using an essential oil burner. The combination of the candle light and the aromatherapy is a wonderful combination for creating the perfect hygge atmosphere. Spicy and woody essential oils such as cedarwood, sandalwood , cinnamon and sweet clove add a sense of winter celebration to the air. 

4.     Get your vitamin D! 
Vitamin D is essential for a strong immune system as well as good mental health (as is sunshine generally). During the dark winters, the Danish eat vitamin D rich halibut fish as well as take vitamin D supplements and make use of infrared lamps. We are so fortunate this side of the world to still get beautiful sunny days in winter. However, according the The Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1/4 of the Australian population is still vitamin D deficient! (2) My suggestion is when the sun is out, and you get the chance, “go European”! Get as many of your clothes off as possible and get outdoors! The best time during winter for your body to make vitamin D from the sunshine is in the middle of the day. Of course, be sensible and do not stay in the sun so long that you burn – 10 - 15 minutes in summer and 15 - 30 minutes in winter in direct sunlight each day is usually enough depending on your skin type. If you are unable to get your daily dose of sunshine, a vitamin D supplement during winter is helpful. We suggest a vitamin D with K2 for enhanced bioavailability, which we have available at our clinic. 
 
5.     Nurture yourself
What better way to create hygge than to have a nurturing, relaxing massage on one of our heated tables in our warm cozy rooms! A massage is a special time where you get to be still for a whole hour or so and connect with what is going on in your body, mind and spirit... and connection is the essence of hygge. For a winter treat, try a remedial or relaxation massage followed by an infrared sauna! Other suggestions for nurturing yourself in winter include taking a long hot bath with added aromatherapy salts in candlelight, or snuggling up in a warm blanket with a cup of tea and a good book. Book you massage here.
 
6. Infrared saunas
Infrared Saunas are very popular in the Scandinavian Countries. And you can see why. You don’t get much more hygge than indulging in an infrared sauna session, combining the health benefits of heat and light. Studies have shown infrared saunas improve mental health, boost immunity and improve cardiovascular health, just to name few. Book your infrared sauna session here.

7.     Stay Social 
While it is natural to slow down and mentally turn more inwards with the cooler weather, it is not healthy to stay indoors all the time and isolate. We all experienced the negative impact of this during the lockdowns. Hygge is also about connection with others. This is usually in the form of low-key get togethers in the home or a small cozy restaurant. You could try a “curry night”, where everybody brings a curry to share. Use soft lighting, good music and comfortable chairs. Consider joining a group like a book club or choir group and engage in winter celebrations such as Yulefest in the Blue Mountains.
 
References

1. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-of-hygge-the-danish-obsession-with-getting-cozy
2. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/vitamin-d
3. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-danish-secret-to-getting-through-winter-2017-02-13

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Author
Shareen McLeish is a Nutritionist and Founding Director of Massage by the Sea. She holds an Advanced Diploma of Nutritional Medicine and Diploma of Remedial massage from Nature Care College in Sydney