The Book of Hygge

The Secret to Danish Happiness

The Danes are among the happiest people on Earth. Their secret is hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) – the sensation of feeling “warm, safe, comforted and sheltered.” If your life is hectic, stopping to enjoy a hyggeligt moment can help you achieve a sense of calm. To hygge might include cuddling up with someone you care about; enjoying a soothing, candlelit bath; or relaxing with a great read. Hygge is an invitation to share feelings of “humanity and warmth” at home, in your workplace, and in your town or country.

“Belonging”

Hygge helps you feel “firmly located – secured and present.” Calming hyggeligt experiences occur in times of great connection, such as when you share a glass of wine with a friend, or spend time in nature, leaning against the trunk of a tree. Hygge uses small rituals to help you appreciate everything around you. When you savor such moments, you feel a sense of belonging.

Hygge can disappear in an instant, so treasure it when it occurs. You needn’t focus exclusively on hygge and drop all else. Danes don’t ask you to forgo your electronics, for example. They encourage...