How to Practice the Danish concept of ‘Hygge’ as a UoC Student to Help with Homesickness…

What is Hygge?

Pronounced ‘Hooga’, Hygge is a part of Danish life. Interest has grown in Hygge as Danish people endure long, dark Winters, and yet, still report high levels of wellbeing. Maybe, everyone can learn something from practicing Hygge, even if it’s that self-care isn’t some kind of indulgent luxury but a necessity enabling you not just to survive, but to thrive at UoC.

Learning how to practice Hygge as a student can help with homesickness and transitions. It’s natural to feel homesick or struggle with the transition to a new place. However, knowing what you can do to manage these feelings can help you get through until the feelings eventually pass.

In order to create the Hygge approach in a university setting, consider the ten core elements highlighted by Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge. You can achieve these through small changes to your room in Halls or your home environment and to the way you approach living and learning:

Atmosphere – Creating a cosy and relaxing, homely atmosphere.

Presence – Focusing on your current interests in the present moment. Being able to focus on what you need to and avoiding distraction can help you remain alert and be better focused on the things that need your attention.

Pleasure – Promoting happiness and wellbeing. Planning into your calendar things you find pleasurable, as well as the necessary tasks to help you achieve more balance in life and to better look after your wellbeing.

Equality – Demonstrating respect for others.

Togetherness – Spending time with friends, old and new and family where possible. Knowing that it’s okay to spend time with yourself too when it feels like that’s what you need.

Gratitude – Taking time to reflect and talk about what you’re grateful for.

Harmony – Enjoying time together with new friends and acquaintances and not focusing on competitiveness or comparing yourself with others.

Truce – Learning to manage conflict and share experiences which is especially helpful when living in shared spaces.

Comfort – Creating a relaxing and comfortable environment.

Shelter – Finding a space to relax and switch off. As well as your home, this could be a quiet space on campus, a place to have a coffee or a tea or the Sports Centre if you enjoy activity. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team have made links with friendly, supportive and safe spaces like Breathing Space or the Lighthouse in Carlisle or Positive Futures in Lancaster. We have also set up a referral pathway for students to join Growing Well which is a mental health support community which literally brings people together by providing transport to cultivate beautiful, green space and nurture the growth of organic fruit and vegetables.

Where to Begin?

To better understand the concept of Hygge consider some words which contribute to describing it like…

• Familiarity
• Simplicity
• Comfort
• Soothing
• Warmth
• Coziness
• Contentment
• Relaxation
• Calmness
• Safety
• Security

What can you do to begin practicing Hygge?

Hygge involves being aware of what might appeal to the five senses, what you can touch, taste, smell, see and hear.

To appeal to what you can see, consider lighting and how you might make it softer and cosier. This could be using more soft glow lamps. Candles are an obvious choice for Hygge and can be relaxing at home, but if you’re living in Halls of Residence these cannot be used for safety reasons, and you will need to select an alternative such as a soft-focus lamp. It can be ‘Hygge’ to have some photos, books or familiar objects around you that make you feel your space is more homely and comfortable.

As warmth and cosiness is key in Hygge, consider blankets and cushions in your room or at home. These can often be found in your local pre-loved shops. Comfortable and warm loungewear is key so think cosy socks, your favourite old lounge pants, a warm hoodie or snoodie and maybe a hot water bottle or a heated blanket. These items appeal to our sense of touch but you may also want to consider having some fidget toys, sensory objects, pebbles, play dough, material you like the feel of or stress balls too.

Aromatherapy has long been used to enhance health and wellbeing. At home, you might choose a lavender scent for relaxation and to promote sleep or a citrus one to feel more energised and alert. We can find comfort through everyday familiar smells too like vanilla, cinnamon or coffee or even our favourite scent, body wash or washing powder. Smells can evoke memories and so select what works best for you in terms of how you want to feel when you notice the smell.

When it comes to taste, Danish people enjoy comfort food, with their favourite being coffee and cake. It can be comforting to taste something familiar or a favourite flavour. When it comes to Hygge think of a one pot dish which could be vegetables and a protein source with herbs or flavouring of your choice. This could be shared with new peers who may become friends, which is considered very Hygge. It can also be comforting to cook yourself a meal that you can have again, and it can really help to come home from a lecture with your food already prepared.

Lastly, consider what you are listening to. Hygge sounds might be relaxing music which can certainly touch your emotions and give you what you need, whether that’s the ability to feel more relaxed or calm, to feel your emotions as they pass over you or to help you feel invigorated and energised.  For sleep and/or study you might want to explore what type of sounds help you. BBC Sounds or You Tube is a good place to start. Sounds can evoke memories and so consider your mood and how you’d like to feel when using this sense.

With Hygge, the great outdoors is important as well as your indoor space, even in Autumn/Winter, just wrap up well. There is nothing more Hygge that going out for a walk or doing some kind of activity either with teammates or alone whichever you need or prefer at the time. Hygge can be about being sociable and friendly but it’s also about giving yourself what you need when you need it. Sometimes, Hygge is about having time to yourself to do the things you know help you to feel calmer and more relaxed. Therefore, it’s fine to say ‘no’ to or simply pass for now on the requests from others when you need to.

We hope you enjoy incorporating some Hygge into student life and we hope that this helps you get through when you’re feeling homesick until the feelings pass.

Come and speak with staff from Student Services who can help you Live Well and Learn Well at UoC or contact Student Services through the Student Enquiry Point.