Some reading this article may already be familiar with the Scandinavian term, “Hygge” (roughly pronounced Hee-you-gah) but for the rest, what does it mean? Where did it come from? And why is it a movement worth spearheading, especially here in Davis County?

Hygge is a term originating in Denmark and Norway and centers around what those in the United States would deem cozy, and centered on well-being. The word itself, interestingly enough, comes from the Old Norse word, “Hugr,” which was the Norse embodiment of mind, or soul, the essence of what made a person themselves. So, what does coziness have to do with the soul? Plenty.

Since there have been people living there, the Scandinavian way of life has been a rough and ready one. Growing crops in a subarctic climate is difficult, and making a living off the sea means many cold and wet days. This can easily take a toll on a person, especially mentally. It’s almost an amplification of what modern medicine has called, Seasonal affective disorder, or, the apt acronym SAD.

As described by Johns Hopkins, SAD “happens during certain seasons of the year, most often fall or winter. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may set off a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression.” It only makes sense, therefore, that the people living in Scandinavia, experiencing dramatically shorter and colder days in the winter, would put an emphasis on being cozy.

But, what does it mean to be cozy? The formal definition of the word is, “giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation.” This makes sense in the Scandinavian sense of Hygge. Surrounding oneself, one’s home, and family with warmth, comfort and relaxation would certainly stave off the cold and the symptoms of SAD. What about the rest of the world, though? And what about the rest of the year, when it’s too warm to bundle up in a blanket with a warm beverage?

Hygge, as hinted at above, is more of a mindset and a lifestyle than an actual set of rules bound to one definition. Perhaps, Hygge and coziness in the warmer months is an emphasis on comfort: a comfortable couch, a beachside vacation, even camping. Maybe it’s being with the important people in life more often, family and friends. It could well be that Hygge is simply feeling cozy and comfortable regardless of the circumstances.

Of course, nothing beats the comfort and coziness of home and hearth. For many people in Davis County, the day-to-day generally doesn’t involve going out fishing in stormy arctic seas, but, life itself can provide plenty of storms to test the will and mettle. Regardless of the storms each person faces in life, it’s imperative to have a place to go to in order to escape those storms, a fortress, a bastion, a haven. 

Whatever shape it may take, it’s important to make home that haven. Whether it’s an apartment, a trailer, a traditional house, or any other of many different homes, there’s much that can be done to make it cozy, comfortable and Hygge. Davis County, along with many places in Utah, is fortunate to be home to Deseret Industries, and other second-hand stores that provide a place for those in need of furniture, clothing, and homeware to get those things that make a home Hygge without breaking the bank.  

To people in the United States, who pride themselves on being tough and independent, a concept like hygge may seem unnecessary, even a luxury, but to those tough and independent people of the frozen north, it’s a necessity. Maybe this is one thing that the people of the west, particularly in Davis, can adopt as a necessity as well, a haven of coziness, whether that be a home or a state of mind.