What is Hygge? And 5 Ways to Make Your Life More Hygge as a Christian

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It’s that cozy time of year when you just want to curl up by a crackling fire with a cup of hot chocolate. There’s actually a word that completely describes that feeling. Hygge.

Nope, that’s not a typo. Hygge (pronounced “HOO-ga”) is a Danish state of being most often translated as cozy.

hyg·ge

/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/
noun

a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

Merriam-Webster dictionary

I first learned about hygge from an article on one of my favorite positvity/intentional living apps, Shine App. Intrigued by the notion I read all about how the Danes celebrate this sense of coziness in The Little Book of Hygge.

Imagine sitting in a cabin with some of your closest friends while a snowstorm rages outside, snuggled up under a blanket in front of the fire sipping on hot cocoa and playing board games. That is quintessential hygge.

Candlelight, wool socks, cozy scarves and intimate and meaningful connection with the ones we love. It’s that same feeling that most of us have at Christmas since Christmas is all about togetherness, visiting family and slowing down for a moment, except in Denmark hygge is a state of being that you should strive towards year round and not just reserve for the holidays.

Though not technically a Christian notion, hygge is at its heart very much in line with how a lot of us Christians wish we were living our lives.

Here are 5 ways you can bring more hygge into your life

1. Less Schedule, More Stillness

I think most of us would agree that the life we’ve been living is too fast, too overwhelming, too stressful, too chaotic, just too. I truly feel that the need for stillness is ingrained deep within our bones. That yearning and aching within our souls to just slow down, take a breath, relish the calm.

The Bible says “Be still and know that I am God” For it is in that stillness and quiet that we can truly stop hearing the chaos of the world around us and allow Him a chance to speak into our lives. But most of us don’t allow ourselves the time or space to take a breath. Pick a day every week where you can put your to-do list and constant striving aside and just BE.

Related Resource: A really fantastic read that focuses on stillness and less hustle is When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley.

2. More Quality Time

Another important element of hygge is relationships. Not just the easy breezy, we’ll talk every few months when we get the chance type of relationship. But real, deep, let’s get down to the nitty gritty with one another relationship.

When there is a lack of depth, connection, and vulnerability between us and those around us it can leave us feeling empty and unfulfilled. The Bible encourages us to do life together and lift one another up.

Schedule a “date night” with those closest to you. Whether that’s an actual date night out with your spouse, a girls night out to the movies or board game night with the neighbors. There is so much to be gained from deep connections and quality time spent with those you love.

3. Gratitude for the Little Things

It is impossible to live in a state of discontent and gratitude in the same moment. When you take the time to sit and count the tiny blessings in your life it helps make you so much for appreciative of the things you have.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we are instructed to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” A grateful heart ensures that your focus is on the One we have so much to be thankful for.

Take time today to write down 5 things you are thankful and see how it opens up your world over time.

4. Enjoy nature

A large part of hygge in Danish culture is enjoying nature and bringing the outdoors in during those bitter cold Scandinavian winter months. It is very easy to feel so disconnected and depressed during months of dreary weather and cold temperatures. Yet despite being one of the bleakest climates in the world, the Danish people consistently rank as some of the happiest. A large part of the feeling of hygge

5. unplug from technology

Most of us live our lives in a constant state of connectivity. While the advent of technology has in some ways helped draw us closer together, in alot of ways it has made it harder for us to find true connection with one another outside our virtual life. It also especially makes it difficult to connect with our Creator when our brains are constantly buzzing with who liked, commented, or texted.

Take a rest day from technology to clear your mind and center your heart.

Interested in learning more about hygge? Check out The Little Book of Hygge for more cozy tips

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