Due to the lack of sun during winter it can be hard to stay happy and positive. Scandinavians have been ranked as some of the happiest people in the world, which is quite impressive considering the long winters. Here is some Scandinavian advice to stay happy through winter.
In Scandinavia there is a word called “Hygge”. There isn’t really a good word to translate to in English, but in a way it means cozy, having a good time, well-being, comforting yourself. If you can imaging sitting by a fire, all warm with a cup of hot chocolate and with your favorite people then that is what “hygge” means. It is more about how you are feeling than what is actually happening.
“Hygge” is probably how we Scandinavians get through the dark winters. We try to make the best out of the situation and have a “hyggelig” time as much as possible.
Dear November’s advice to you is to try to make time to do something cozy and comforting during winter, like for example:
- Invite friends and make dinner together.
- Go for a hike or go skiing and bring lunch and something warm to drink.
- Read a good book under a blanket.
- Bake something, like cinnamon buns and drink hot chocolate.
- Take a warm bath with lit candles.
- Watch TV with a blanket on and drink tea.
Scandinavians are good at doing these kinds of things and that is probably also how we survive the cold and long winters.
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