Have Yourself a Hygge Holiday
Environmental psychology is commonly known as the field that focuses on one’s environment and the influence it has on perception, emotion, behavior, etc. This field covers small- and large-scale places in both human made and natural environments. * For example, we can explore scientific reasons you may feel different in a small chaotic office compared to your favorite hike in the mountains. Unsurprisingly, research has indicated that spending only a couple of hours a week in green spaces was associated with higher self-ratings of well-being. * This is also one of the many reasons I offer walk and talk therapy sessions.
An area that I particularly enjoy reading about is the intersection between environmental psychology and interior design. I personally enjoy certain colors, textures, scents, and temperatures and notice their impact on how I feel. When I think about the upcoming holiday season, the Danish/Norwegian term that comes to mind is “hygge.” Merriam-Webster defines hygge (pronounced as hoo-gah) as “invoking or fostering a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being.”**
What draws me to hygge is the inherent mindfulness of your immediate surroundings and intentionality of drawing in the little things that bring you a sense of joy or peace. If you were to look up images of hygge, you would likely see a cozy blanket, a warm drink, reading a book by a fire, a candle-lit dinner, a cabin in the woods, or a nature walk. I want you to take a moment and think about the colors, textures, scents, foods, sounds, temperatures, etc. that elicit a sense of coziness, contentment, and well-being for you. Now, look around and see if any of those things are in your immediate environment. How could you incorporate a little hygge in your home?
For many, the holiday season may accompany difficult emotions or realities, such as grief, depression, anxiety, the pressure of nostalgia, unmet expectations, or changes in relationships. These small details may seem silly or insignificant at times; however, I often find that it is through the little things in which we can create joy or peace in our life. I think that with a hygge approach, it can reorient our focus to embracing the mindfulness of the present moment and the only moment we can actually control. If you are interested in learning more, I recommend The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking | Goodreads. The author, Meik Wiking, is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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