How to Hygge at Work for a Happy Life

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You’ve probably heard of Hygge, but have you ever tried Hygge at work? Your office space and how you take care of yourself at work are so important to your mental well-being. 

When I had a full-time job, I went around asking my co-workers how they take care of themselves at work and they were stumped. They didn’t really have a consistent self-care routine and usually just powered through the day.

I worked in a non-profit where there was a severe staffing shortage and high turnover rate. There was no time for self-care and people even secretly skipped their lunch breaks to work. 

This right here contributed to the high turnover rate which proves that self-care should be prioritized more in the workplace. Hustle culture is overrated and we should not be always trying to push ourselves beyond our limits. That is what contributes to burnout. 

Entrepreneurs need to learn how to practice self-care the most as they tend to work longer hours than most. 

One way to change this is to learn how to enjoy the art of slow living with Hygge!

What is Hygge? (pronounced “hoo-gah”)

Hygge is a Danish way of living that includes the art of slow living, coziness, a feeling of home, and togetherness. The art of slow living means taking a break from our fast-paced society, disconnecting from technology, and being present in the here and now.

Hygge isn’t about going out shopping to buy a bunch of items to create the perfect cozy aesthetic look for your home and office. It’s more about surrounding yourself with things and people you love. 

Hygge is practiced all year long, but it becomes most popular during the colder season as that is when they have to stay indoors more to avoid the bad weather. 

Why do you need to Hygge at work?

There are days when we don’t feel our best. Bringing Hygge to work reminds you of the comfort of home and helps to bring you peace. It encourages the art of slow living and goes against the mindset that we have to always be hustling to be successful.

It is important to take breaks and live comfortably to be able to stay mentally well. Hygge is a form of self-care. You can participate in it by decorating your space, eating comfort foods, and engaging in fun activities with others. 

The basic décor elements of an office inspired by Hygge:

1. Plants

Plants help to cleanse the air around you and give you more oxygen. Having a few of them will bring you peace in your office. Make sure to do your research and find what plants work with the lighting in your space. If you don’t have much light, you might want to look for plants that don’t really need light.

2. lighting

If you are not allowed to have candles in your building, you can use a Himalayan salt lamp or you could use a light-up essential oil diffuser. Dim lighting is key to get that Hygge feel. Often they use many pools of light and not just one. But of course, you do not want to feel sleepy, so you should try to also use as much natural lighting as possible.

The Danes consider candles to be the #1 must-have décor element. If you work from home, you should consider trying out candles.

3. Wood Elements

Making your office have a more Earthy feel is part of Hygge. Hygge isn’t really about being modern, but being simple and enjoying less expensive things. This could be a wooden desk, office desk accessory or something on your wall.

4. Cozy Comfort

These are items that make you feel at home. This could include a throw blanket for cold days, a fan for hot days, a pillow for back support, and a snack corner. Include any items that you love to make your space less uncomfortable. 

5. Antique Items

There’s something so unique about having items that aren’t mass-produced and are instead handmade by a local artisan in your office. It adds more character to your space. Try bringing in items that you have that have a special meaning to you with a history.

Try these break time activities for balance:

• Picnic or potluck with your employees or friends that include comfy food

Everyone can bring their own food to share that brings them comfort. Food is one of the things that connect people and different cultures together. There’s a lot you can learn about others when you are food.

• Interact with others

One of the most important parts of Hygge is spending valuable time with family and friends. Call a family member or friend during your work break. Grab coffee and chat with an employee or friend. Having people to interact with will help combat loneliness. 

This one is kind of unique, but you could also have board games and maybe play them on a themed day like Fridays. If you are working from home, schedule virtual chats with your best friends.

• Read a book

Keep a few books at work that are unrelated to what you do to disconnect. It could be on a fun hobby or something you have never even heard of. 

• Write your thoughts in a journal

You could try a gratitude journal or simply write down any thoughts you have throughout the day. It’s great to get rid of all the mental clutter that builds up over time. You should try a gratitude journal if you have a difficult time trying to feel more positive.

• Disconnect from technology

An important part of Hygge at work is not to overload yourself. If you’re one of the majority of people that have to look at some kind of technology all day, you should disconnect from it on your breaks. That means no scrolling through social media the whole break. 

• Boost your mood with comfort food

Hygge is all about comfort food too. But at work, you don’t want to eat too many sweets or you will crash. Instead, take one sweet treat with you to work to eat when you need a little mood booster. If you’re on a diet, you can eat fruit instead. Warm and cozy food is ideal for hygge at work.

Comfort Foods:

• Warm Drinks – coffee, hot chocolate and/or tea
• Soups
• Baked Desserts
• Snacks

Final Thoughts

Remember that engaging in Hygge is not supposed to be expensive and materialistic. Keep it basic and focus on things that make you feel cozy. Life is too short and we should be spending more time with people we care about.

Practicing Hygge is the perfect opportunity to do that. Follow this guide to bring Hygge to your workplace.

Another recommendation I have for a more in-depth explanation of Hygge is getting the book, “The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living.” It goes into more detail about the different activities you can do for each season, including some activities and recipes.

How do you practice self-care at work? Leave a comment below!