As we begin a new year facing a long, cold, and isolating winter, it may seem like there’s not much light at the end of the tunnel. However, instead of bracing ourselves against the lonely, dark days ahead, why not embrace sticking close to home with a bit of Hygge style? What is Hygge, and how do you say it? Hygge, pronounced “hue-gah” is a Danish/Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfort. Hygge as a lifestyle has become a major part of Danish culture this century as a means of battling against the seasonal depression that often comes with winter. Most Scandinavian countries receive only 6-5 hours of daylight each 24-cycle during the winter, so they’ve adapted and learned to enjoy this quieter time. Danes and Norwegians created the idea of Hygge in order to survive the boredom of colder months and to find moments to celebrate, acknowledge, and break up the mundanity and exhaustion of harsh weather.

The style of Hygge can be incorporated into home décor, clothing, and beauty products and owes much to the architecture and practicality of Northern Europe.

For the home, stick to a neutral color scheme to make the most of natural light. Create a sense of coziness with throw rugs, fluffy pillows, and warm blankets. Also, incorporate texture in your living space to add interest to a more minimalist design. Warm, natural materials like wood and wool best represent the Hygge style. You can mix things up with different types of flowers for small pops of colors.

Another decorative element essential to Hygge are candles for a soft glowing light that generates a warm radiance. If the idea of an open flame is cause for concern, repurpose those holiday lights. Whether in your bedroom, living room, or an enclosed patio, twinkly lights bring a cheery and festive sense to your interior. They can be strung up around door frames, bookshelves, or worked into a wall hanging. If you are lucky enough to have a working fireplace, having a fire is definitely Hygge for additional warmth and light in the home. If your hearth is no longer functional or purely decorative, you can create the sense of a fire with candles. Whether they are lit or battery-operated, candlelight gives you that Hygge feeling.

Having personal Hygge style is a bit tricky to pin down. Since the concept of Hygge centers on comfy-cozy feelings, any clothing that makes you feel warm and snuggly would be Hygge. The core of Hygge fashion includes scarves, woolen socks, and neutral basics, like black turtlenecks and joggers, and roomy silhouettes. Again, Hygge style takes its cues from Danish designers’ aesthetics embracing head-to-toe knits and fair isle prints. However, Hygge style is not just for loungewear. Oversized button-down shirts, high-waisted wide-leg trousers, knit blazers, and heeled loafers are Hygge work-wear options. Also, try layered all-black outfits with a bulkier top half and a fitted bottom, like flat boots, black denim, and a cocoon style coat, for Hygge streetwear.

Hygge beauty isn’t so much about products, but routines, general experience, and energy. If you are practicing any type of self-care, then a Hygge beauty ritual is right up your alley. Some ways to incorporate a Hygge sensibility to wellness and beauty include giving yourself a mini facial every time you wash your face. Try a warming mask instead of an exfoliating mask. As cold, dry air can do a number on your complexion and your mood, a self-warming skin treatment can come in handy to help both. Don’t neglect your neck; beyond piling up on the scarves, your neck and throat also need some tender care. Look for a neck cream with active ingredients like peptides, minerals, and hyaluronic acids.

A Hygge wellness routine should extend beyond the body and also work to cultivate a comforting atmosphere, which is the backbone of all things Hygge. Consider how fragrance works in your home. Whether through scented candles, incense, or essential oils, you can foster relaxation and wellness through smell. I personally like to burn a eucalyptus candle when I shower and apply facial treatment to create a spa-like feeling. Another great way to use smell is by baking. Applesauce muffins, banana bread, cornbread, or any favorite baked good will definitely generate comforting aromas.

Hygge just requires consciousness, a certain slowness, and the ability to recognize and enjoy the present. By creating simple rituals without too much effort, like brewing real tea and drinking from a china cup every evening before bed, or buying fresh flowers once a week, or having a designated family dinner night where everyone helps in the kitchen, makes domestic and personal life more intentional.

Instead of going through the motions of getting through the day weighed down by a feeling of drudgery, Hygge is about creating good simple moments and being aware of them. And even if tea, flowers, candles, and scarves are not really part of your aesthetic or style, you can still incorporate the lifestyle of Hygge by being thankful instead of stressed out by your day. Of course, wearing a sweater and wool socks helps.