Denmark has a reputation for being one of the happiest countries in the world. So what’s their secret?
The Little Book of Hygge
We all want to know, which is why this book has been so well received since it was first published in 2016. I admit, I may be a little late in realising how special this book is, but listening to an audiobook is a very hygge practice so I am sure the author will let me off!
In the book, author Meik Wiking walks you through all the elements of the one contributing factor to this Danish heightened state of happiness- hygge.
While hygge has no conclusive definition, it embodies feelings of cosiness, comfort, contentedness and wellbeing- and I’m sure you will agree, all of these sound rather tempting.
The good news is- hygge may originate in Denmark but it’s not exclusive to the country- people can practise it anywhere.
Of course, there are many items that can help to create feelings of hygge according to the Dutch and these include things like candles, food, throw rugs, books and fireplaces to name a few.
Hygge is best enjoyed with others- so we are at a perfect point in the calendar to enjoy the benefits, given that many of us remain close to our loved ones right now.
Think about the stock images you see in magazines at Christmastime of a family tucked up together in snuggly clothes next to an open fire with a cup of cocoa and this will give you a good impression of what hygge looks like and the yearning it creates inside to be just like them.
Read by Wiking himself, who is not only author of the book but CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen- his voice is just as soothing as the words on the page. I admit that it sent me off to sleep a couple of times. This has nothing to do with the content of the book- which is fascinating- Wiking simply has a bedtime reading voice and helped to relax me when I was feeling anxious about the current situation we all find ourselves in.
Listening to the book through Audible is like giving yourself a giant hug.
Thankfully, a lot of the things in the book are achievable while we are in isolation, so you can have a hygge lockdown if you do so choose!
This book was the ideal gateway into the world of the Audible for me. A positive and heartwarming piece of work that will brighten any listener’s spirit, even in the darkest of times. The Little Book of Hygge is the perfect companion for lockdown.