How To Practice Hygge For Anxiety and Depression

The Danish are the happiest people in the whole wide world. You, too, can practice Hygge if you suffer from anxiety or depression.

You want to know their secret to happiness?

Hygge.

Pronounced hoo-gah, hygge is a practice that Danish people do to enjoy their life more through simple living.

The concept of Hygge originates from Denmark and means the experience of wellbeing induced by creating a comfortable environment. Roughly. 

It’s all about creating a positive, relaxed, and safe environment through self-care, togetherness, and connection.

You focus on just winding down, enjoying your downtime, and savoring your life with contentment instead of trying to constantly be running around keeping busy.

If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, the principles of this Scandinavian practice might just be the thing to help you get through the winter months unruffled.

The best way to minimize the negative impact of seasonal anxiety and depression by practicing Hygge is to adjust your daily routine to accommodate some of its traditional rituals.

You can actually use your daily planner to fit hygge in your days and add it to your daily routine. This can also be considered a great way to practice self-care each day.

Can Hygge Practice Help Me With Anxiety and Depression?

If you’ve never tried Hygge, now is a great time to learn more about it.

In fact, while it can be done year-round, using it in the fall and winter seasons will help you combat seasonal anxiety and depression.

Hygge is a type of Danish practice that is built around creating coziness and comfort. It promotes calm and tranquility through activities that make you feel relaxed and connected.

In the cold months of the year, it’s a popular practice since it’s a wonderful feeling to cuddle up under a fuzzy blanket in the evenings. Maybe in front of a fire or watching a movie with your family.

How To Use Hygge To Ease Anxiety and Depression

The emotional benefits of hygge are amazing and very diverse. One important benefit you get from this practice is helping to reduce your anxiety and feelings of gloom.

All of the hygge activities are quiet, calming, and peaceful. They can help you to stay relaxed, reduce your stress, and distract your mind from your biggest worries.

Hygge is all about winding down, so you don’t have the added stimulation from a loud television, your cell phone, or your computer.

In fact, it is highly recommended that you unplug when practicing hygge, except for listening to music or watching something calming.

Whether you struggle with generalized anxiety, seasonal anxiety, or have panic attacks, practicing hygge is going to help you relax, calm your mind, and hopefully reduce some of those anxious thoughts.

Other Benefits of Hygge for Anxiety, Depression and Overall Your Mental Health

Your mental and emotional health can benefit from hygge in many other ways, in addition to reducing your anxiety.

It is great for:

• Reducing symptoms related to depression and other mental health disorders
• Relieving your stress
• Improving your mood
• Helping you to have more bonding time with family
• Allowing you to practice mindfulness
• Giving you space for practicing gratitude
• Increasing your self-compassion and self-care

Try to think of hygge as a self-care activity in the fall that is also going to help with your anxiety.

Tips For Introducing Hygge In the Winter

Hygge is a very simple concept, where you just want to choose activities that let you reach a state of calm and peace.

This might include:

• Turning down the lights and lighting candles.
• Reading a book while lounging on the couch or a comfy chair.
• Sleeping in late to cuddle in bed.
• Enjoying a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa.
• Surrounding yourself by soft blankets and throw pillows.
• Unplugging all devices and staying off social media.
• Turning on your fireplace on cold evenings.

These are all very simple things. So simple, in fact, that you might be wondering why is this even considered a ‘concept’ worthy of books and articles were written about it?

But let’s admit it.

Although you’re aware there are thousands of simple pleasures you could, would, and should enjoy, life gets so hectic and your mind so preoccupied that you forget to actually do them.

So, let’s not dismiss what seems like trivial pursuits of no consequence. Let’s make it a mission to care for our wellbeing and implement these practices in the daily routine.

No, a cup of cocoa and a soft pillow will not vanquish severe anxiety or depression but if it elevates your gloom and melancholy, wouldn’t you like to try?

Ideas For Hygge Activities That Will Alleviate Your Anxiety and Depression In Winter

Here are some hygge activities you can practice during the fall season.

Schedule Hygge Down Time

Sometimes you have to make time for relaxation. It seems crazy, but when it comes to hygge, it doesn’t always happen organically. People live busy lives and rarely leave time for themselves.

If you need to, schedule downtime into your day, or at least once a week.

Make sure it is when you can fully relax, without something heavy on your mind, and without feeling like you need to check your phone to answer emails or bring your laptop with you.

Enjoy Warm Drinks

This is a very simple activity you can incorporate into your daily routine in the winter season.

It’s perfect for when you are trying to get cozy and relax indoors, especially on a cold or rainy day.

Why not infuse a drab day with a cup of homemade cocoa or apple cider or have a little kick in it with a hot toddy or Irish coffee?

Nothing wrong with that!

Try Knitting Or Crocheting

Knitting and crocheting are going through a proper renaissance. Once the domain of your grandma, these crafts are now a favorite pastime for people of various ages, genders, and social backgrounds.

From arty country girls to trendy city hipsters, both knitting and crocheting are curiously enjoying a great comeback.

No wonder. They calm the body and mind and have unexpected benefits for both physical and mental health.

Be One with Nature

Yes, hygge can definitely be taken outdoors!

It is not just about cuddling under a blanket in front of the fire, though that is a great way to practice hygge.

Hygge is the practice of unwinding and finding a calm and positive mindset, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

If you want to go outdoors, plan a soothing activity that will ease your mind, such as taking a picnic to the park, or sitting by the lake and watching the ducks.

Relax in Front of the Fireplace

When you are faced with a chilly winter day and don’t have work or errands to run, don’t try to find something to do.

Instead, go full hygge by grabbing a warm cup of cider and sitting in front of the fire. This is the ultimate way to practice hygge and can be done on your own or with family or friends.

Get your softest, coziest blanket, cuddle with your dog, or grab your kids for some time in front of the fire while you read them a story.

Enjoy the Outdoor Scenery

When people think of self-care, they often think about staying inside and having a bath or reading a book. While this is a great way to practice self-care, it definitely isn’t the only option.

Self-care is all about doing something for yourself, whether inside or outside, alone or with others. That is why a great way to practice self-care in the fall or winter is by enjoying the beautiful scenery outdoors.

Head outside to walk around your neighborhood, go to a nearby park, or hike where the leaves are changing.

Find a New Book to Read

If you’re looking more for an indoor self-care activity, it doesn’t get much better than unplugging and enjoying a great book.

Do you have a stack of books on your nightstand that you keep avoiding?

Put that phone away, turn off Netflix, and pick up a book instead. Get transported into the imaginary world the writer creates, and you will quickly understand why this is such a popular choice when it comes to self-care.

Have a Cozy Night In

When fall arrives, temperatures begin to drop, and you might even have rainy days and cold evenings.

This is when it is good to spend more time inside, whether alone or with loved ones.

If you want to practice more self-care, find some indoor activities that allow you to be cozy, warm, and content.

Get Your Cooking and Baking On

The fall and winter are typically when people start cooking and baking a lot more. Over the summer, you probably didn’t do as much cooking due to the weather and a busy schedule.

However, in the cold season, it is a great time to practice self-care and enjoy the cooler temperatures at the same time.

When you want to enjoy some relaxing time for yourself indoors, it is the perfect opportunity to be in your kitchen.

Whether this means making a big meal for your family, trying out a new recipe, or going for a fall-inspired baked treat, embrace the extra time you have.

Cozy Up on the Couch

When you are stuck inside over the cold season, really embrace it.

Have a few minutes alone for some self-care? Get cozy on your couch with a good book, your journal, or watch a movie.

There are a lot of holiday movies at this time of year, but it is also a wonderful time to look through your DVR collection and catch up.

Sit by a Fireplace or Bonfire

This is going to be great for self-care and for hygge if that is something you like to practice.

If you have an indoor fireplace, get comfortable and enjoy the sights, or turn on a movie on low volume and just enjoy your atmosphere. This is wonderful for self-care, whether you are alone or have a family with you.

If you want to stay at home, but also enjoy a bonfire, there are many portable versions that you can put right on your patio outside. Enjoy the warmth and relaxation evening on cold, fall nights.

Have a Friend Over

Practicing self-care isn’t just about spending time alone.

It includes any activity that is good for your overall health and wellness, and that often includes spending time with others.

Invite a friend over if you plan on staying home or plan a little gathering with your closest relatives. This is going to provide more socializing time for you, but also stay relaxed.

Focus on Comfort in Your Home

Hygge is all about being happy, comfortable, and positive. Try to make your home as comfy and cozy as possible.

This is a great time to switch out your bright summer decorations for warm fall decorations. Add colors like red, yellow, orange, and brown, which create a warm and cozy environment.

Have lots of throw pillows and soft blankets on your sofas and chairs, add soft rugs to the ground, and bring in candles or use the fireplace when it gets cold.

Have an Intimate Party

Hygge isn’t just being home alone, but really spending quality time with others.

Invite a close-knit group of people over for a casual dinner party or get-together. Watch a movie together that everyone loves or invite high school friends to have dinner and talk about the old days.

Have close family members over with their kids so everyone can have a game night or a buffet-style dinner.

Enjoy these moments with those people you love the most and take comfort in the fact that you can all be together during the season.

Cook More Comfort Food

The cold season is a great time for cooking and baking, especially when it comes to your favorite comfort foods.

We’ve already mentioned cooking and baking, which in itself has soothing benefits. But to add an extra Hygge factor, try to cook or bake something with a touch of magic and nostalgia.

This might include cookies and pies with fall spices like cinnamon and pumpkin, or you may prefer cooking more savory foods that are comfort foods, like meatloaf or your favorite butternut squash soup.

Think about the foods you enjoyed as a kid, that always cheered you up. These are your comfort foods.

This is also a good time to share your favorite comfort foods with your kids or close friends.

Add Softer Lighting

If you have bright lightbulbs in your home, now is a good time to remove them and opt for softer lights. At least replace your lamps as you have easy access to them.

This allows you to shut off other lights and just turn on the softer lights in the evening when practicing hygge during the fall.

So those are the lovely benfits of Hygge practice for dealing with anxiety and depression. Promise me something. Whenever you feel down, do yourself a favour and try at least one of these. And if things are really hard, seek help. Always.

Disclaimer:

This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.