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Can 'Hygge' Help? - Quarantine Thoughts on a Scandinavian Philosophy of Life

Updated: Sep 22, 2020

In a lot of ways, the time we are living in right now feels so unreal. As a 21st century American, I never imagined that in my lifetime I would witness a pandemic like the one currently spreading across the globe. I do, of course, remember hearing about epidemics like SARS and Swine Flu in years passed, but I never imagined such a thing breaking out in the present-day U.S. I know I've taken it for granted that modern medicine can do wonders, and that our modes of communication are so instantaneous. If there was a dangerous disease somewhere, we'd know about it immediately, and it could be stopped before things got really bad. It felt as if the years of having to worry about highly contagious diseases were far behind us - forever relegated to the annals of history.


Yet, here we are today.


While I am an introvert by nature, even I'm starting to feel the effects of cabin fever as our nation has gone into quarantine for the COVID-19 virus (aka coronavirus). The current state of affairs somehow feels both incredibly anxious and also very dull. There's a poignant worry about how many people will be infected by the virus, how many will lose their lives to it, whether the news will be good or bad in the coming weeks, and distress over how long our economies can take being at a virtual stand-still. In addition to all that, the clearing of our calendars has not been an occasion for relaxing vacations and day trips, but instead it's been very confining (with perhaps one or two family members/roommates who may drive us up the wall), finding ourselves frustrated with feelings of stagnation, and/or perhaps jumping around depressingly from one website to another with no purpose in particular in mind.


As human beings, we are made for work and socializing, and to have both of those areas of life suddenly reduced in ways unprecedented in recent decades has been a real shock for most of us. While some of us may still be able to go to work or work from home, a lot of us are now left wondering what to do with ourselves and the time we now have to spend in our homes. Especially when the home is often seen nowadays as a place only for consumption as opposed to production, the laziness that we tend to associate with the modern household can really bring down our feelings of vitality after a while. To be sure, there may be a hidden blessing for those of us who have been in need of some well-earned rest, and being forced to stay at home may be just what is needed to regain some of that lost vitality. However, I also believe there is a difference between "rest" and "doing nothing," and to equate the two would be a big mistake. Especially in our work-focused culture, we can feel easily discouraged if we fall into the trap of seeing everything done outside of a paycheck as being somehow worthless.


So, how are we to think about it then? If there is a difference between "rest" and "doing nothing," what can hygge tell us about it, and how can we "rest" well during this time in our homes?


Can Hygge Help?


Originally a Danish/Norwegian word, the term hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga") refers to a sense of coziness, conviviality, and well being. It's a way of living that strives to bring a sense of comfort and goodwill into a living space, and seeks out ways to bring vitality into daily life in the little ways. Though Nordic in origin, hygge can be practiced in various other cultural contexts as well. While things such as fika (Swedish coffee time), IKEA furniture, and Finnish saunas are what many people often think of when they hear the word hygge, it's very much up to the people practicing it to determine what elements of life and culture they find cultivate the greatest hygge in their own lives. So long as hospitality, pleasure in the simple things, and teasing out the vitality in daily living is part of the goal, you're doing it right!


Some hygge ideas that may be helpful during this time of quarantine:


Quality Time with family/roommates, staying connected - One of the key aspects of hygge is spending quality time with those we love. While spending long hours cooped up together may cause our patience for one another to run thin, it's important to try to engage in those activities that enrich our relationships and bring joy to one another as we go through this together. This can range anywhere from talking with each other over cups of coffee, to having a game night every few days, to checking in on one another and provide support where need be, or simply being in the same room together enjoying each other's company. There's certainly nothing wrong in taking time alone if you need it, and I also understand that for many people, family/roommates are not always people they may get along with particularly well. Or maybe there are some readers who are living completely alone, or those who aren't able to be with loved ones for various other reasons. However you look at it, there will be times where it is challenging. But it is good to do what you can to stay connected with one another - whether it's in person, over the phone, over video chat, or over text - and to try to engage well with some sort of positive human contact while this crisis is going on.


If you're struggling for community and connection where you are, I would recommend reaching out to a local church/religious group in your area, or contacting a local support group in your area.


For more information on support groups, please refer to the link below:



Nature - While many indoor places have been quarantined during this time, the outdoors for many of us have not been declared off-limits. There's something inherently optimistic about going for a walk outside, or taking the time to pause and take in the various scents, sounds, and textures of the world outside. Studies have shown that going out into nature improves overall feelings of wellness, helps to calm feelings of anger and worry, and helps to prevent illness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). While it is important to still practice "social distancing" during this time, and I wouldn't recommend getting a big group together for a BBQ or other outdoor function, we can still go outdoors, take walks, or prepare our gardens for spring as an option for alleviating our feelings of confinement and isolation. It doesn't matter if you spend 15 minutes or several hours outdoors. Any amount counts and is good!


If by chance you can't go outdoors yourself, then perhaps you can bring some of the outdoors in to you! Putting up flowers, plants, scented candles, or cracking open a window can be good for bringing some of the sensory experience of the outdoors indoors. There are also many YouTube videos, apps, and other Internet resources that are made to play nature sounds and feature nature images that may also be helpful.


A few nature sounds and images resources:


Cooking - One of the most basic and life-giving activities of human life is cooking. Since so many of us have so much time at home, now would be a great time to try to polish up our skills in the kitchen! Time to dust off grandma's old recipe books, or hop onto Google and do a recipe search!


For me, learning cooking and baking have not been at the top of my list of priorities, but this may be a good opportunity to change that. Granted, it can be difficult to get certain ingredients at this time, or even to get out to the grocery store at all, or buy foods that don't have the best "shelf life," so don't feel like you need to make something grand or gourmet in order to be doing hygge food prep. Part of hygge is working with and taking pleasure in the simple things of life; making the most of what you have. Got some meat and cheese to make a sandwich? Excellent! Perhaps you can see if you have the ingredients to make a homemade mustard to go with it. Are your bananas starting to turn brown on the counter? No sweat! They'll still be perfect for creating a batch of banana bread muffins. Now you've got your breakfast every morning for the next week! Have a crock-pot? Awesome! You have the ultimate cooking machine right at your fingertips!


Just make sure to know how to prepare food safely - especially if you're making food for others during this time - and have fun learning and experimenting! While we may be in quarantine, we can still have those enjoyable little coffee breaks and wholesome dinners that we had been meaning to do for quite some time now.


Take your time, and enjoy it!


Cleaning and Decorating - Since we are going to be spending so much time in our homes, now would be a good time to practice an attitude of loving our living space. For many people, cleaning, organizing, and decorating may not be the most enjoyable of activities, or they may not feel like they are gifted in that area. That's ok! You don't have get it all done in one day. Be patient with yourself and with your space. Take care of the small, essential matters first, and then move on to the bigger ones. Everyone has their own preferences for style and how things are arranged in their space. Take the time to learn yours and engage with it! Figure out what you feel makes a good, welcoming, warm, breathable living space, and do what you can to make it real.


  • For more inspiration and tips on how to transform or touch up your living space, I would recommend checking out Marie Kondo's website - (click here for link)


There is also the growing trend of "Swedish death cleaning" for de-cluttering your home. As the name implies, there is something of a somber element to the practice, as it makes you consider seriously what is really important to keep in life, and what things you may now have to let go of. However, despite the struggles that may come about in the attempt, the results are often worth it.


For more information about "Swedish death cleaning," refer to the links below:



Other Small Joys - As we make our way through this time of quarantine, day by day, it's important to have those little moments of small joys scattered throughout these days that can otherwise easily feel monotonous. As with many things in hygge, this leaves room for customization and improvisation. Find out what works for you and your household. For those of us unable to work or go to school, we may feel down about not feeling productive enough with our time now. Taking the time to do little constructive things may help with this. Some of us may also just be looking for a little pick-me-up to break things up a bit.


Some ideas for what to do to help bring moments of hygge into these next few weeks:


  • Writing in a journal or diary - We are experiencing history after all. It'll be good to record our thoughts and experiences for posterity, and to help us process what we are going through ourselves.

  • Doing/learning a new crafting skill - ex. painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, carving, etc. The online world is full of tutorials for any and all crafting projects!

  • Reading - Whether it's books or online articles about a topic that interests you, reading is always a good thing for your brain to do. Let a novel feed your imagination, or an article about your favorite ancient civilization enrich your understanding of the past. Whatever it is, let it help to build you up and take you on an adventure.

  • Bodily self-care - Have a good soak with a new bath bomb, try that one hair style you've always wanted to master, finally give your dry skin the love it deserves, or start that exercise program you've been meaning to get to. Whatever it is, do those little things that help to revitalize your body, and help make you feel better in your skin.

  • Prayer and Meditation - During this time of crisis, a lot of people may turn to the spiritual side of life in order to seek comfort, order, purpose, and answers. For myself personally, as a Christian I see my devotional time with God as being key to getting through this crisis. As a Christian, I believe that God is with us in our sufferings, and that he will give us "the daily bread" we need to get through this, day by day. My devotional time allows me to listen for God's voice, to seek comfort, to seek guidance, and to express my hopes and fears. I'm also grateful for the messages I get from time to time from my church and Bible study group, and I have had some great conversations with my parents and sister about theological matters. Despite the feelings of isolation that can creep in sometimes, I've found that it is also helpful for me to take a time-out for a while; to sit quietly, disconnected from social media, away from all the noise, and allow my psyche the chance to rest and heal in the presence of God in the quiet.


I hope these ideas and reflections may help you, dear reader, during this time of crisis, and I hope applying some hygge into your life may help you to find revitalizing rest for you and your family, for your body and for your soul.


Keep Calm and Carry On! We will get through this!


Works Cited:


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