After the clocks rolled back on Sunday, many Washingtonians have the so-called “Big Dark” on their minds.
For those unfamiliar with the term, the moniker refers to the months between late October and early March when the region is engulfed by somber weather and limited daylight. While it’s easy to give in to the outdoors’ melancholic effect, the season also gives folks a chance to brighten their otherwise dreary days by slowing down and embracing hygge.
“Hygge” (pronounced like “hue-ga”) is a Danish and Norwegian word that directly translates to mean “to enjoy.” It’s more loosely defined as the art of creating warm, welcoming environments and taking a step back to appreciate ordinary, everyday moments and rituals. It encourages finding hope and light during the next few bleak months and savoring simple pleasures, from picking up a cozy hobby and creating a calming at-home ambiance to practicing mindfulness and connecting with loved ones.
As we adjust to earlier bedtimes and extra layers, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite ways to invite hygge in and shoo the dreariness of “The Big Dark” out.
- Find a cozy hobby that’s low-stress and helps you recharge. Some to consider are reading or listening to a book, Lego-building, coloring, journaling, solving jigsaw puzzles, or playing low-stakes games like “Animal Crossing,” “Stardew Valley,” or “Pokémon Pokopia.”
- Baking or cooking helps us feel nourished and comforted. Many studies show that warm food has a relaxing effect on one’s nervous system. Some items on the menu this season might be hearty soups and stews, curries, simple crockpot meals, sweet and savory pies, or meats meant for slow roasting like lamb or chuck roast. To get started, check out these simple beef stew and pecan pie recipes by Danielle Kartes.
- The start of fall and winter makes a fitting time to swap bright flavors and scents for more grounding, earthy ones. In your morning coffee, consider adding a dash of cinnamon to your grounds before brewing, or in the shower, replace your empty coconut-scented body wash with a cozy vanilla- or amber-scented one. This also goes for candles, hand soaps, perfumes, and more — but remember that hygge doesn’t ask that we go out and shop for new items, only to thoughtfully replace them when needed.
- With daylight hours dimming, be gentle with your adjusting circadian rhythm by upping the ambience. After sunset, turn off overhead lighting and instead reach for lamps and candles.
- Experience maximum coziness by building a nest or sanctuary space out of your favorite blankets, pillows, and/or a heating pad. It’s also a great time to swap lightweight cotton or linen bed sheets for flannel or heavier-weight fabrics.
- Make a fall and winter playlist so that even on especially dim days, you have a mood-boosting soundtrack to fall back on.
- While many will take this time of year to hibernate, or cough cough, isolate, hygge encourages us to carve out time to connect with friends and family by inviting them into our now“hygge-ified” spaces. Try catching up with a friend over a sweet cup of cocoa, inviting family over for a candlelit dinner, or hunkering down for a movie marathon or an evening of board games.
- While daylight hours may be limited, it’s important to get fresh air when possible. Pull out your favorite gloves, hats, and scarves and have them on standby for when the mood for leaf-peeping strikes. Bonus points if you “lüften,” a Germanic practice when one opens all their home’s windows for a few minutes to replace stale air with fresh, outdoor air.