While it’s unusually hot here in our city of Santa Monica, CA, I’m embracing the Fall spirit and mentally preparing for winter.
I’m starting by revisiting the post from last year about winter being the best time to be happy. You heard it right. When living in Denmark, I was surprised to find out that winter was the favorite season for many oh-so-happy Danes I met.
So here are a few old tips on how to winter-proof your happiness levels and a couple of new ones I’ve recently discovered. Enjoy!
What better place to draw winter happiness inspiration from than my husband’s home country of Denmark, known for its long, cold, and dark winters but also for the second highest in the world life satisfaction levels?
There is a reason, I found out, Danes are the world experts in coziness, known to them as hygge. To compensate for the long dark winters, the people of Denmark turned their attention inward, onto their houses and their social circles. And it makes perfect sense.
While the rest of the world complains about winter, the Danes bring out the candles, the blankets, and the pastries with coffee.
So how exactly do you practice happiness in winter (because, yes, it can and should be actively practiced)?
Adjust your lights
As I type this, I look at my orange “mushroom lamp” - an investment I made for our family this winter.
See, Danes are obsessed with “cozy lights,” an expression my husband uses often. Most Americans, so used to hospital-style lighting, would be surprised by this, but artificial light, as well as daylight, plays an important role in our well-being.
Just like loud noise, harsh bright lighting is irritating, while warm light is soothing and inviting. That’s why Denmark is the biggest consumer of candles in the world, as well as the home to some of the best-designed lamps and candleholders.
My orange lamp became the centerpiece of the living room, getting compliments from my Danish stepdaughters, my husband, and even my toddler. Placed in front of the couch, it illuminates the coziest spot in our house with a warm orange glow, creating some serious hygge.
These days, I look forward to darkness, in anticipation of the lights turning on.
Buy candles
Did I mention the cozy lighting yet?
The verdict is in: nothing is cozier than candlelight. Yes, it produces smoke, so open the windows when you’re done. But if you want to create a happy place instantly, light candles. The more the better. Go easy on the scented kind so loved in the U.S. though. Danes never use them and consider those “tacky.”
In Denmark, unscented candles are sold in every corner store and supermarket, big or small. In America, I would struggle to find them if not for our frequent trips to IKEA. To anyone who has one within driving distance, I recommend the Swedish retailer for decent candleholders, supplies of regular candles, and other cozy things, such as ginger cookies and delicious organic jams.
Buy pastries
Denmark produces the world’s best pastries (hence the American pastry named “Danish”). I wouldn’t be surprised if those, too, were invented and perfected to counteract the winters. After all, who cares about the wind blowing outside if you're sitting at home under a blanket, with candlelight and the world’s best pastry?
Before visiting Denmark, pastries were little more than an occasional “carb” treats for me and a source of guilt much more than happiness (living in Southern California will do that to you). Only there, did I realize that a good buttery pastry properly enjoyed was pure happiness.
And forget about fat-free, low-fat, gluten-free anything. These things, as my husband proclaimed, are “cozy killers.” If you’re going to enjoy yourself, you might as well do it to the fullest, or the fattest.
Despite my never-ending battle to stay in shape, I decided that our winter kitchen should never be without a pastry or a cookie. And this season, I’m baking my own for the first time!
Enjoy fresh cold air
If you wonder how Danes stay fit (and they do!) with all these pastries, the answer is usually - bicycles. But not only. It’s their love of the outdoors in general, in any weather. While most Europeans walk a lot (compared to car-devoted Americans), Scandinavians will do it in any weather.
It’s no accident that the phrase “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” was coined in Denmark.
Fresh cold air, paired with proper clothes, is good for both your body and mind. Building cold resistance is a big part of child-raising all across Northern Europe, and it has mental health benefits, too.
After all, there’s no bigger sense of accomplishment than going for a run in the cold.
In Copenhagen, I did just that. Along with many locals, I enjoyed winter running for the first time in my life and I’ve never felt better and more proud of myself. Sure, shopping for proper running gear took time and money (check out Uniqlo and their Heattech line), but the payout was worth it.
See friends more often
Danes are all about their communities and social circles. It comes naturally to them. So, naturally, in winter they spend even more time socializing with their loved ones.
What’s interesting is that most of this socializing happens in their homes and not out in bars and restaurants. Since prices of eating out are very high in Denmark (meaning high salaries for all employees), the emphasis was always made on home-based dinners and gatherings. It’s common even for the first dates to happen in someone’s home.
Socializing and belonging to a community has long been linked to increased happiness levels, so let’s take it from the Danes and remember that humans are, after all, inherently social.
This winter, I’m embracing the community of my immediate neighbors. We all share a courtyard and bumping into each other is an everyday thing. I made it a point to get to know all of them and share what we can: playdates, dog dates, cookies, coffee, etc. The payout is immense. Coming home has never felt cozier.
Enjoy wine
Last winter, I challenged myself to learn more about wine.
This one was not so much about Denmark but about learning to appreciate quality in things, which all Danes do. Living in Copenhagen, I learned that it’s better to own fewer things of finer quality than a lot of crap.
Luckily, a friend who lives nearby is obsessed with wine and she’s been teaching me to tell one from the other and savor the experience. I must say, enjoying wine for its richness and complexity, rather than the means of getting drunk, has brought unexpected joy into my life.
These days, I look forward to cozy evenings on my friend’s couch with a good bottle of Old Vine Zinfandel. This means a lot coming from a former Two Buck Chuck drinker.
Stock up on projects
Danes love a good house project or a handmade treat. It’s no surprise, given the high prices of their goods and services. And when is a better time to practice making things by hand if not during short winter days (in Denmark, short means darkness by 3 PM)?
This winter, I’m challenging myself to learn making toys for my daughter. I started by buying these cute crochet kits I saw on Instagram. So far, it’s been two weeks and I haven’t started but the thought of doing it one cold day keeps me warm.
I also found a website offering toymaking tutorials for Waldorf-inspired toys (I’m a Waldorf parent but that’s a story for another day). I know it’ll take me weeks or even months to get started but I love this winter challenge.
So, maybe, this Christmas is the perfect time to practice making presents. Why not save money, be original and, perhaps, a bit happier at the end?
Get a board game
Danes, grown-ups and kids alike, are obsessed with board games. And my husband is no exception. I guess what’s cozier than sitting around a table (with candles and beer, of course) with loved ones trying to solve a mystery?
While we haven’t had much time to play games since our daughter was born three years ago, this month I’m planning to spend my birthday doing exactly that. Last year, we had drinks over Scrabble on my special day and I finally understood the Danish obsession with board games.
If only we in America valued the slow times as much as we value the busy times. Until that happens, it’s a skill to obtain but a worthy one.
Through my little winter (and not only) experiments, I learned that tiny improvements, put together, can make a big difference.
Let me know what little winter things you’re looking forward to!
P.S. I realized that I completely skipped the Danish obsession with Christmas which is so much cozier than the American commercial frenzy. It is a post in itself though, so stay tuned.