Hygge is pronounced hyoo-guh and is a danish word meaning ‘to give courage, comfort, joy’. It is a term also used to mean self care. As the seasons change and the nights get longer it’s a good time to focus on hygge and on what makes you feel cosy and comfortable.
Here are 6 ideas to bring more hygge into your life.
- Light a candle in the evening. Let the warmth of soft light fill the room and use less artificial light. Give your eyes a rest.
- Be sociable. Time with family and friends increases your sense of wellbeing and theirs. Share your time and space with positive people: those who make you smile and those who care for you.
- Enjoy warm colourful seasonal food. Try new recipes and different ways of cooking. Cooking can be a mindful exercise, something to share and a way to stop primarily living in you head.
- Bring the outside world into your home. Use flowers and garlands to remind yourself of the beauty of the natural world. Try making a wreath for the front door or a table decoration and collect what nature has discarded such as chestnuts, pine cones or teasel.
- Open fires, new socks and fluffy blankets. Snuggle down with a good book. What helps you relax?
- Regulate your sleep pattern. Longer nights give you a great opportunity to focus on getting better quality sleep. Go to bed at the same time each night and limit your caffeine in the afternoon and evening for a restful sleep.
Be kind to yourself. The world hibernates and renews itself during winter and so can we. Take extra time for yourself and make your personal hygge your priority. Ask yourself: ‘Does this nurture me?’ and ‘Does it give me joy?’ as ways to discern if you are on the right path.
Recipe for pumpkin soup
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- approx 800g chopped pumpkin flesh
- 100g split red lentil
- 1l hot vegetable stock
- pinch of salt and sugar
- 50g crème fraîche, plus extra to serve
STEP 1
Heat the oil in a large pan. Fry the onions until softened and turn golden. Stir in the garlic, pumpkin flesh, lentils and thyme. Pour in the hot stock. Cover and simmer for 20-25 mins until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
STEP 2
Whizz the cooked pumpkin mixture with a hand blender or in a food processor until smooth, then add the crème fraîche and whizz again. Taste for seasoning.
STEP 3
Serve with a spoonful of crème fraîche and a few thyme leaves.
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