IT’S TIME TO ADOPT A HYGGE LIFESTYLE
Hygge is all about relaxing and enjoying those small moments with your close circle of people. It means taking some time away from the daily hustle, unwinding, and taking life one day at a time.
While the concept of hygge roots back to Norwegian culture, it was the Danes who popularised the lifestyle. The top three happiest countries in the world are Scandinavian: Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. And we think hygge deserves some credit for that.
THE DANISH PHILOSOPHY: HYGGE
Hygge, pronounced as hue-gah, comes from Scandinavian culture and can be loosely translated as a feeling of coziness. The winters are long and dark in the Nordic region, and Nordics adopted the hygge lifestyle to shake off their winter blues.
There is no one-word definition of hygge if that’s what you’re hoping for. The meaning of hygge encompasses happiness, well-being, comfort, conviviality, and contentment. It’s about finding joy through the simple pleasures of life.
HYGGE BETTERS MOST OF THE THINGS IN LIFE, EVEN SLEEP
Hygge is all about slowing down and taking one step at a time. It’s about relaxing and feeling content every day in your life. And as you know, the more relaxed you are, the better you tend to sleep.
There are times when we lay in bed, ready to fall asleep, but suddenly we can’t sleep. We are thinking about tomorrow or worrying about something and just scrolling through our phones, waiting to feel sleepy again. To reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, we have to ensure we are mentally relaxed before going to bed. De-stressing or unwinding is like detoxing the brain, and it can help you fall asleep faster.
8 HYGGE HABITS FOR A SOUND SLEEP AND BETTER DAY-TO-DAY LIFESTYLE
1. HYGGE: A LIFESTYLE OVER MOOD
Hygge is not a mood or a to-do list. It’s a lifestyle filled with many small habits. Several daily practices come together to bring you happiness and conviviality. Stop saving the special moments for weekends; instead, create and enjoy them every day. Make it into a habit.
And habits become cues for our brains. For instance, our morning routines set the tone for the day and our night routines help us unwind and prep for sleep time. A bedtime ritual signals the brain to relax and get our body ready to sleep. Our body is one of the most complex mechanical systems ever studied, and it loves nothing more than discipline and routine.
2. CANDLES OVER BRIGHT LIGHTS
A candle-lit atmosphere is naturally soothing to our minds and body. It creates a cozy and cocooning environment and saves you from exposing yourself to bright lights at night. Gradually reducing light exposure keeps our sleep-wake cycle in check. You may also try a scented candle, like lavender. This scent can improve the quality of sleep by helping you to calm down and relax.
According to Meik Wiking, Denmark burns about 5.8 kilos of candle wax per year per capita! The Danes consider lighting a candle as one of the most important aspects of a hyggelig (hygge-like) atmosphere.
3. IN-NATURE OVER IN-DOORS
Nature is another beautiful aspect of hygge. Enjoying nature evokes a sense of gratitude for what we have. It doesn’t have to disrupt your daily routine. It can be as simple as walking in your favourite park, a hike with your friends, or driving to a sunset point you love. It’s more to do with adding something to make your day more valuable.
Additionally, natural light stimulates our body’s internal clock and keeps our sleep-wake circadian rhythm in check. So, spending time outdoors not only lifts your mood but also helps you sleep well.
4. BOOKS OVER SCREENS
Instead of watching your favourite TV series after dinner, snuggle on your sofa and open that book you’ve been waiting to read. Also, avoiding screens before bedtime helps to unwind your brain. It slows down all those worrisome thoughts racing through your mind.
Another brilliant way to de-stress is to make a to-do list and pen down tasks that will likely keep you up at night. This will also ensure that you leave your bothersome thoughts outside your bedroom.
5. DIS-ENGAGING OVER ENGAGING
The world is becoming more and more fast-paced by the day. And somehow, in this fast world, we have forgotten to disconnect and live in the moment. We’re always thinking of tomorrow because we fear missing out. Close that social media app and keep your mobile phone aside for a change.
You do not have to be reachable all the time. Disengaging with tomorrow helps you engage with the present. This will help you live in the moment and improve your sleep quality too. Exposing yourself to blue light from e-displays reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for putting you to sleep and keeping you asleep.
6. WARM BATH OVER A COLD ONE
There’s something about warm baths that is so calming. Instead of booking spa appointments every month, create your spa at home! Light a few scented candles and soak yourself in a warm bath.
The effect of a warm bath or a warm shower closely resembles the body’s cool-down process before sleep. A warm bath triggers your body temperature to rise and rapidly decline, making you feel sleepy.
7. HOT CHOCOLATE OR TEA OVER COFFEE
First and foremost, avoid coffee after three o’clock in the afternoon. If you want to drink something hot in the evening, you can make yourself some hot chocolate or a caffeine-free tea. Milk naturally contains melatonin, which can help you get a good night’s sleep. Herbal teas like chamomile, lavender, and passionflower also have a relaxing effect on your body.
8. COZY AND COMFY OVER BULKY
Winter is the most suitable time for hygge. However, winters can be harsh. But harsh winters don’t mean that your loungy pyjamas have to be harsh too. Hygge is all about being cozy and comfortable.
If you have cold feet and hands, wear sleep socks and cloak yourself in soft, breathable knits. Creating your cozy cocoon will ensure you’re not cold and will keep you warm. An ideal core temperature means a good night’s sleep.
CREATE YOUR COZY COCOON WITH DAGSMEJAN
Dagsmejan’s sleepwear and relaxwear are made for ultimate comfort and relaxation. Create your snuggly cocoon with our natural and sustainable pyjamas for the best sleep. With Dagsmejan's temperature-regulating pyjamas, you keep the best temperature for sleep all year round.
STAY WARM COLLECTION
Dagsmejan’s smart thermal pyjamas contain a smooth blend of fine merino wool and Tencel. The fabric is designed to keep you warm throughout the winter nights without overheating.
STAY COOL COLLECTION
This one is for the hot sleepers! Our innovative, smooth Stay Cool Pyjamas have an evaporative cooling effect, thanks to the Eucalyptus fibres, making you feel noticeably cooler and ensuring you get some good rest.
BALANCE COLLECTION
For those who feel too hot or too cold at night, Dagsmejan Balance Collection is your best fit. Our patented fabric is designed to support your body's thermoregulation while being the most comfortable pyjamas in the world.
RECOVERY COLLECTION
Dagsmejan Recovery collection is made with the revolutionary NATTRECOVERTM fabric that contains responsive energizing minerals. These smart pyjamas increase blood flow, enhance muscle regeneration, and aid in faster muscle recovery!