I might be biased here, being a Scandi myself – but sure haven’t we all been incorporating a lot of hygge into our lives these past couple of years?
Candles, cozy dinners and that comfy, lived-in look for our homes – ever since the world at large got hold of our very cozy Scandi little secret, everyone has gone super hygge – for good reason
But guys – there is a new Scandi lifestyle trend currently making waves – and trust me, it is every bit as great as hygge – if not even better.
Say hello to lykke – a word that loosely translates as ‘happiness’ but that, in Scandinavia, has a more wholesome meaning than just a fleeting feeling of happiness. You know the way the Danes keep being voted the happiest people in the world? Well, you’ll see why when you learn more about lykke – and how you can start making some changes to put more lykke into your own life.
Meik Wiking, the author behind the global sucess The Little Book of Hygge, has also published a new book – The Little Book of Lykke, and in it, he breaks down just what makes the Scandinavians so flipping happy (lykke-lig) all the time.
1. Community and togetherness
Instead of being overly into the individualistic and focused on keeping up with the Joneses, Scandis pay some of the world’s highest taxes – and for the most part, do so happily, knowing it will benefit the whole country, their families, neighbourhoods and the community at large.
Happiness, Wiking says, doesn’t come from owning a bigger car but from knowing that everybody you know and love will be supported in their time of need.”
To invest in your community, be it by volunteering or supporting local businesses, is a great way to start living more ‘lykke’ focused. On a more personal level, invest your money more towards experiences rather than things, make sure you see your friends and family regularly and try to eat together with others as often as possible – it will boost both your happiness and wellness.
2. Health and work-life balance
Scandinavians are on average pretty active in their everyday lives, with many opting to bike to work (if you have ever been to Copenhagen, you will notice how everyone bikes everywhere!). Furthermore, kids (and adults too) spend a lot of time outdoors and in nature – factors we now know are inextricably linked to feelings of happiness. Weekends are often spent outdoors, hiking, skiing or simply taking the kids to a playground or park – no matter what the weather is like.
As for work-life balance – most Scandinavians work to live, not the other way around, with the average work week clocking in at just 37 hours – and many take advantage of flexi time, starting earlier or opting to work from home on certain days.
As for being able to combine having a fulfilling career with also raising a family – parental leave is 52 weeks, with fathers being able to take a good percentage of this. One major benefit of this is that the ever-present mental load many mothers are lumbered with elsewhere less intense for Scandinavian mums, where parental duties are more evenly divided.
As for how to incorporate more ‘lykke’ into your own life, there isn’t much we can do about parental policies or lenght of the average work week, but as a start, try splitting the family duties more evenly at home, have a chat with your partner how this can be done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and grandparents. Get better at carving out some time that is just for you, mama – because we all function better, for ourselves and our families, when we have time to unwind and recharge.
3. Unplug and live more IRL
The irnony isn’t lost on many – we are all spending more time on social media, yet more and more people admit to feeling lonely.
How can you turn it around? Well, a 2015 study found ditching Facebook for a week led to dramatically more happiness. And while Wiking isn’t suggesting you bin your phone or tablet completely, he does suggest a weekly digital detox.
This little trick for feeling happier might be easier to start incorporating into your life than the above. Just put down your phone more and connect with actual, physically present people, live in the moment and take in the world around you – as your life is what is happening right now.
