As I unfortunately can’t speak Danish, the word ’Hygge’ first sounded like a magical spell of sorts, capable of summoning powerful forces. I can’t quite remember distinctly how I first came across the word, except that it was over a year ago and I was probably aimlessly scrolling on Facebook. The word itself was appealing and mysterious enough to encourage me to delve into this subject. And I certainly don’t regret it.

The good news is that I found the meaning of Hygge happens to be as magical as the form. The less good news is that the word is sadly hopeless as it gets when it comes to translating it accurately. In fact, one of the most peculiar aspects of Hygge lies in its complexity – as the word is not easily translatable in other languages. It may be paraphrased as ‘coziness’ in English, and yet it seems to be more than that. Some lucky languages, however, do have words which are apparently akin to Hygge – German’s ’Gemütlichkeit’ or Dutch’s ’Gezelligheid’ are such equivalents. Even though there are a few translation issues, one thing’s for sure: you do not need to be Danish in order to instil a bit of Hygge in your life.

“The recipe to Hygge is accessible and yet, just like the simplest cakes; it tastes as wonderful- if not more- than the fanciest ones”

What does Hygge exactly entail, though? According to Meik Wiking who wrote extensively about it in a wonderful book which is quite explicitly titled The Little Book of Hygge (which I couldn’t resist purchasing), Hygge is a soothing atmosphere of warmth and comfort which encompasses a feeling of safety. This all sounds quite magical. But how can you actually achieve such a state of bliss, especially right now, of all times? Thankfully, it is quite simple. The recipe to Hygge is accessible and yet, just like the simplest cakes; it tastes as wonderful- if not more- than the fanciest ones. Do you see where I’m heading? Simplicity is key.

What matters is to believe in it, and organise your space . Firstly, be comfortably dressed – wear warm leggings and baggy jumpers. Even pyjamas are a good idea to start with. And (this bit is important), do not forget to wear warm, fluffy socks. Keep in mind that all these things embody comfort. The next thing is – of course – to wrap up in big, soft blankets. The idea is to provide yourself with a shelter – a safe haven – in which you’ll feel warm both physically and psychologically. Light is also very, very important. I recommend candles to create a suitable Hygge ambience (but if I’m not mistaken they’re forbidden in most colleges, and I don’t want to be responsible for any college fires/disgruntled porters). Despite being a tad conventional, lamps will do perfectly – they provide guidance, and remind you that even in the darkest days, there is always room for hope.

Once you have secured your lamp or candle, pick a hot drink (or cold, because if Hygge sounds very winter-compatible, who said it should be limited to only 4 months in the year ?). The drink will bring you inner warmth and comfort. Plants are also crucial as they bring liveliness to your home. Finally; when you have your plants, candles, blankets, pyjamas and fluffy socks to hand, find an activity which is dear to you. Reading a good book and watching a movie are some of my go-tos. Feel free to choose basically anything you fancy doing, though, as long as it makes you happy.

“In the dark and dreary days we are currently experiencing, a little touch of comfort (or, in this case, a big one) never felt more timely”

And there you are! That’s Hygge in a nutshell. Hopefully you will see that it does not require a lot of preparation. The key is to enjoy and relish this warm and comfortable sanctuary you are creating for yourself. As everything seems terribly unpredictable and fleeting these days, the magic power of Hygge reminds you that you can still find comfort. I like to see it as a ritual, as a pause in a busy day. It is something I look forward to, something which I know will never go. Obviously I don’t intend (or expect) all of you to convert to the Hygge lifestyle and we cannot be constantly Hyggehjornet either (meaning in the mood for Hygge). But keep it in mind. Because in the dark and dreary days we are currently experiencing, a little touch of comfort (or, in this case, a big one) never felt more timely.