Note: This article on comfort and connection is written by contributing writer, Tammy Strobel.
Have you experienced guilt over taking breaks, spending time with friends, or prioritizing your well-being? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. For instance, I still feel guilty for working part-time instead of full-time. This isn’t logical because I simplified my life so that I could work less. This year, I am making a conscious effort to embrace practices that promote comfort, connection, and contentment.
Interestingly, friends who live in different parts of the world, like Spain and Portugal, have shared that the cultural approach to life varies significantly from the United States. In these places, people take time to celebrate holidays and relish simple pleasures. Conversely, in the U.S., many workers don’t utilize all their vacation time, and some, like myself, feel guilty for opting to work fewer hours.
These reflections led me to explore practices embraced in other parts of the world. In this article, I’ll share practices from different countries – like the Danish concept of Hygge and the Swedish philosophy of Lagom – that encourage rest, fostering comfort and connection with loved ones, and coziness. Throughout this article, you’ll find tiny steps that you can incorporate into your routine. Select a few of these tips to infuse joy into your daily life and, most importantly, have fun!
1. Hygge (Denmark): The Art of Coziness
Meik Wiking, the author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living, shared with SELF that “hygge has been called everything from ‘the art of creating intimacy’ to ‘coziness of the soul,’ and even ‘cocoa by candlelight.’” I absolutely adore this concept! There’s something magical about turning the thermostat up a few degrees and snuggling on the couch with my cat, husband, and a good book. Having a cup of hot coffee by my side elevates these simple pleasures, making them even more meaningful.
Tiny steps to find connection and comfort with Hygge
- Savor simple pleasures like hot drinks, sweet treats, watching movies, and more.
- Light candles, turn the lights down, put on your favorite lounge wear, and snuggle up with a soft blanket.
- Focus on being in the moment so that you can rest and relax with loved ones.
2. Fika (Sweden): Coffee Breaks & Connections
Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall wrote a wonderful book called Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break. They explain, “Functioning as both a verb and a noun, the concept of fika is simple. It is the moment that you take a break, often with a cup of coffee, but alternatively with tea, and find a baked good to pair with it. You can do it alone, you can do it with friends. You can do it at home, in a park or at work. But the essential thing is that you do it, that you make time to take a break: that’s what fika is all about.”
In essence fika is more than a coffee break. It gives people a moment to slow down, relax, enjoy meaningful conversations, and savor simple pleasures.
Tiny Steps to enjoy Fika
- Connect with colleagues, friends, or family by taking regular coffee or tea breaks.
- Pair your coffee with sweet treats like cake or cookies.
- Use Fika as a way to slow down and relax.
3. Lagom (Sweden): Just Enough
Lagom is a Swedish principle that translates to “just enough” or “just the right amount.” Writer and philosopher Jonny Thomson explains lagom as, “knowing when enough is enough, and trying to find balance and moderation rather than constantly grasping for more. Lagom is that feeling of contentment we all get when we have all that we need to make us comfortable. It’s neither a millionaire’s splurge in Vegas, nor a pauper’s cold winter night. It means having a roof over your head, food in your belly, friends at your back, and money — just enough money — in your pockets. If Goldilocks had a catchphrase, it would be ‘let’s lagom this bear house.’”
Lagom reminds me of many of the ideas associated with simple living like embracing simple pleasures and knowing how much is enough. For example, my husband and I lived in a tiny house for roughly five years. We outgrew our little house, though. We wanted a home that had more space for entertaining and cooking. Now we live in a two-bedroom apartment, and that is “just enough” space for us.
Tiny Steps to find comfort and connection with Lagom
- Aim for contentment in work, exercise, social meet-ups, and more.
- Embrace simplicity and “enough” in daily living.
- Foster equality and fairness in relationships and communities.
4. Gluggaveður (Iceland): Window Weather Wonders
“The Icelandic word gluggaveður, which translates as ‘window-weather’, refers to weather that is good to watch from your window, but less enjoyable when you’re outside. The rainy day when you sip a cup of tea listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, the howling wind shaking trees outside as you watch from the safety of the kitchen table,” says writer Julia Barbosa.
Unknowingly, I engaged in gluggaveður last weekend. I sat on the couch and watched the rainfall and the clouds race by. Then I mixed some hygge into the day. I put on soft lounge wear, pulled out a blanket, and napped on the couch. When I woke up, I continued to watch the weather from the window while drinking a hot cup of tea. It was delightful!
Tiny Steps to embrace gluggaveður
- Appreciate the beauty of rain, snow, and winter landscapes through windows.
- Unplug and cozy up with a tea or coffee.
5. Ikigai (Japan): Finding Purpose and Joy
Ikigai – a Japanese word and philosophy – encompasses elements that bring purpose and joy into people’s lives. Writer and philosopher Jeffrey Gaines explains that ikigai brings fulfillment to individuals. Also, it can contribute to the good of others by prioritizing social connections and doing meaningful work.
“For example, if I am passionate about crisis counseling, am also skilled at it, there is a need for it in my world at the time, and I have several job offers in this field, I might say I’ve found my ikigai sweet spot,” says Gaines. The idea behind ikigai is to bring together “what you love to do, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.”
Tiny Steps to encourage comfort and connection with ikigai.
- Discover your “Ikigai” by brainstorming what brings you joy and purpose.
- Engage in activities that foster social connection like sports, gardening, attending community events, and more.
6. Ubuntu (Africa): I Am Because We Are
Wikipedia highlights that there are “many different (and not always compatible) definitions of what Ubuntu is. Even with the various definitions, Ubuntu encompasses the interdependence of humans on another and the acknowledgment of one’s responsibility to their fellow humans and the world around them. It is a philosophy that supports collectivism over individualism.” Ubuntu is a beautiful concept. The philosophy reminds me that we are all connected, and that humans are social animals who need connections to thrive. I’ve discovered that slowing down can create space to connect with loved ones and communities.
Tiny Steps to help you embrace Ubuntu
7. Siesta (Spain): Afternoon Nap Tradition
According to the BBC, the Siesta originated in post Civil War Spain. They explain, “Traditionally, the Spanish working day was split into two distinct parts: people would work from 9am until 2pm, stop for a two hour lunch break and return to work from 4pm until around 8pm. This disjointed day came about because in post Civil War Spain, many people worked two jobs to support their families, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon. The two hour break allowed workers, especially those in rural areas, time to rest or travel after the first job ended.”
Interestingly, the tradition of the siesta is changing in Spain. In small towns, like Ador, the siesta is still a sacred tradition. In larger cities, this isn’t the case; over 60% of Spaniards don’t have the opportunity to take an afternoon nap. Some companies are trying to bring the siesta back because naps decrease fatigue, increase productivity, and more importantly, improve worker well-being.
Tiny Steps to enjoy the Siesta
- If you can, incorporate short naps into your day to recharge, rest, and improve your well-being.
- If you can’t nap during the day, slow down and meditate for a few minutes. You can do this on hot or cold days.
Parting Words …
This year, I’m going to borrow ideas from the beautiful cultural traditions mentioned above. The ideas inspired me to infuse more comfort, connection, and contentment into my daily life. Pick a few of the tiny steps I shared in this article and join me!
Books that Encourage Comfort, Connection, and Contentment
- Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
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