When thinking about making any lifestyle changes, how do you start? Want to lose weight – research diet and exercise options. Want to move – start looking at neighbourhoods, listings and financing options. And when you want to change your day-to-day lifestyle – we are often paralyzed. So I’d love to share how to change your life with Hygge and books.
Learning to bring the Scandinavian traditions into your home and life can have such a huge impact! Embracing the habits and attitudes of this centuries-old lifestyle will have a profound effect on your day-to-day life. And one of the best ways to improve your life? Read more! So here are my top 5 picks for books to learn about Hygge – what it is, what it means and how it can change your life!
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series)
by Meik Wiking
When you do an online search, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living is generally the first result you’ll find. It makes pretty much every list of Best Hygge Books, and for good reason.
Not only is the author the founder and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, but he is also widely considered the World’s Happiest Man.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute Series) delves into many areas of Hygge, such as food and drink, clothing, home and holidays. This book addresses what Hygge is and how to live it year-round, both in and out of the home.
This book is a MUST-READ for anyone that is curious about Hygge and all it entails.
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
The author of The Year of Living Danishly, Helen Russell, is a former editor of a very glossy magazine in the UK. Given the opportunity, she moved to Denmark to find out just what makes the Danes the happiest people on earth. And boy did she find out!
Follow Ms. Russell’s adventures and challenges in moving to Denmark and embracing the Hygge life.
Warning – give yourself some time, because when you pick up this book, you will NOT want to put it down!
Hygge: A Celebration of Simple Pleasures. Living the Danish Way. by Charlotte Abrahams
This book is a little different than the others on this list so far. The author is neither Danish nor a resident of Denmark. In fact, Ms. Abrahams resides in the UK and this book is a summary of her learnings and implementation of the Danish lifestyle outside of Denmark.
Hygge: A Celebration of Simple Pleasures. Living the Danish Way. shows us that being happy isn’t necessarily a matter of location, it’s about the lifestyle. Learn how to incorporate Hygge into your life whether you live in a busy city, small town or rural village. The concepts remain the same!
How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life by Signe Johansen
The subtitle of this book is The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life. How can you go wrong? Not only is this book well written and enjoyable to read, but it’s also full of delicious recipes and practical tips to help you embrace the Hygge lifestyle.
Curl up with a cuppa and dive into How to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life. Expect to want to devour it all in one sitting.
100 Hygge Challenges: Experience The Danish Art Of Happiness
This book is a little different than the others on this list, as it’s a practical list of actions to help you experience the Danish art of happiness.
You could work through the challenges contained in this book in order, or you could have fun and just flip the book open and undertake the challenge you happen upon. Either way, the activities you’ll find in the 100 Hygge Challenges are fun and help you find new and relaxing ways to spend some time.
My best tip for this book – take it as it is meant to be! Don’t try to rush through doing multiple challenges in a day. Respect your time and your wish to make lasting changes. Take the challenges seriously, even if they feel silly! Let it take you at least 100 days to get through, and maybe more!
These are my picks for the top books to help you get started on a Hygge lifestyle. And trust me when I say that while the temptation is there, you don’t need to implement every single thing that every single book teaches you all at once! Start small, but be consistent. Make time to read every day, park your car a little further away from your destination and enjoy the short walk, light a candle in the evening. Every little step that you take in pursuit of new habits will increase your enjoyment and contentment in everyday life.
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