Hygge hibernation

The world around us is resting. Snow covers the ground, trees are bare, animals are conserving energy in their dens. But we are still rushing around, pushing ourselves to participate in traditions and rituals that overwhelm and exhaust us.

Shouldn’t we also take a much-needed break at this time of year?

Winter Rest

The natural world consists of seasonal cycles; hot and cold, active and restful. When we forego these cycles, we lose our balance. Modern civilization requires the same amount of effort regardless of where we are on the calendar, but nature paints a different picture. Nature urges us to rest. 

Biologically, our bodies are still in tune with these natural patterns. The constant cold drains our energy and drive. The dark causes our bodies to produce more melatonin, making us sleepier than in summer months. We crave high-calorie foods, looking to create reserves that were key to helping our ancestors survive the harsh winter months. We are still programmed by thousands of years of evolutionary wisdom telling us to conserve energy when resources are scarce and temperatures are low. 

Ignoring these biological instructions can make us feel stressed and physically ill. But if we give in to them, even for a short timeframe, our bodies feel like they have accomplished their evolutionary task, allowing us to feel renewed and rested. 

Human Hibernation Practices

Before modern conveniences, humans in the far north would practice a type of hibernation known as lotska or seasonal dormancy to get through the long, bitterly cold winters. They would gather around the fire and sleep through the winter. When the fire got low, one person would wake to tend it before returning to sleep. They didn’t eat much or move around unnecessarily. They simply huddled together for warmth and rested until the worst of winter was over. Entire communities would slow down dramatically, conserving their energy and food stores during months when hunting and gathering became nearly impossible.

In Viking times, families would also gather around the family hearth during the long, dark winters. The warriors would focus their energy on whittling bits of wood, crafting small gifts for children or tools for spring. The women would cook hearty stews that lasted for days then gather their families together for stories and songs. These habits eventually became a foundational part of their culture, even after the longhouses and Vikings evolved into high-rises and tech unicorns.

Cultural Adaptations

As a result, the Nordic countries have each developed a cultural framework to help them get through the winter. There are multiple variations depending on where you go. The most well-known version is Danish Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”).

Hygge focuses on creating warm, inviting spaces, effectively turning our homes into an ideal space to wait out the winter. It prioritizes creature comforts and caring connections, enabling diverse family members to endure close quarters for long periods of time. This was especially vital for Viking households that weren’t used to spending time together. When warriors who spent most of the year raiding and exploring suddenly found themselves trapped indoors with family for months, they needed a framework that provided peaceful coexistence. 

This framework is still valuable in modern homes, where parents and children function on very different levels most of the year. It provides a foundation for spending time together peacefully and renewing important family connections. 

According to Meik Wiking in The Little Book of Hygge, this framework consists of ten specific concepts that work together to create an atmosphere of contentment, connection, and calm.

The Ten Pillars of Hygge

1. Atmosphere: Embrace the Darkness

Let it be a bit dark. This goes against every American instinct to blast overhead lights and flood our homes with brightness, but darkness is actually part of what makes hygge work. 

Focus on soft lighting like candles or holiday lights instead. Let it feel rustic and natural, as if you really were hibernating in a cave. The Danes use more candles per capita than any other country in the world—they understand that harsh lighting destroys the cozy atmosphere that makes winter bearable.

Think about layering your light sources: string lights draped around the windows, pillar candles clustered on the coffee table, the warm glow of a fire (real or on a screen). Your eyes should never have to squint or adjust sharply. Everything should feel dim, warm, and golden.

2. Presence: Be Where You Are

Presence is more than just being in the room; it means being in the moment, focused on what you’re doing and who you’re with. Avoid phones and distractions whenever possible and interact in meaningful ways. This is harder than it sounds in our hyper-connected world, but it’s an essential part of being hygge.

Activities could include building a blanket fort with the kids, reading books together aloud, playing a board game, or crafting together. It could be as simple as having a heart to heart conversation. The key is giving the people you are with your undivided attention. 

Be mindful about each moment, savoring each smile, laugh, and hug. Remind yourself that this time will not last, and you’ll find yourself longing to return once it has passed. So notice the details and invest in relationships; this will make each memory poignant and meaningful. 

3. Pleasure: Indulge Intentionally

Winter traditions are filled with homemade baked goods, warm drinks, and chocolate. Not only do these items satisfy our cravings for calories this time of year, they also taste delicious.

Hygge allows us to focus on the pleasure these treats give us. Indulge those cravings for chocolate, cookies, and candy. If you’re concerned about going overboard, encourage quality over quantity. It’s difficult to binge decadent foods; they taste much better when savored slowly.

Stock up on some of your favorite treats to get through hibernation. Or better yet, cook fudge, cookies, or other family recipes together, creating lifelong memories and traditions in the process; the smell of apple pie in the oven, the laughter when someone gets flour on their nose, the satisfaction of creating something delicious with your own hands.

Warm drinks can be equally indulgent. Try hot chocolate with real whipped cream, mulled cider with cinnamon sticks, or cranberry tea served in your grandmother’s china cups. The act of wrapping your hands around a warm mug is hygge in its purest form. And the warmth in your core is satisfying on so many levels. 

4. Equality: We’re All in This Together

See yourselves as part of a team and don’t hesitate to contribute wherever you can. If you see a need, do your best to fill it without being asked.

This might mean helping to wash the dishes, letting someone else choose the movie, making sure everyone gets a comfortable spot on the couch, or tidying up when you encounter a mess. Small acts of consideration create the foundation for true togetherness.

Sharing is a key concept in the hygge framework. Find simple ways to share the load with others. Work together to share tasks, making each experience more pleasant and memorable. Share love and attention with your tribe so that each person feels special and important. Close quarters are more enjoyable when we focus on togetherness, not individual desires. 

5. Gratitude: Appreciate This Moment

Be mindful of how fortunate you are. Appreciate the time you have together, the people you have in your life, the health you enjoy, the peace that exists between the people you love, and this moment of rest before life forces you to be busy once again.

Science tells us that listing things we are grateful for each night can improve our mental and physical health. Try taking a moment to recall a few things you’re thankful for while practicing hygge. It doesn’t have to be profound or lengthy, just a moment spent in gratitude for the good things in your life.

Gratitude trains our minds to focus on what we have rather than what we lack. It can reframe life’s imperfections as charming rather than irritating. We learn to be content with our lot in life. The next time you laugh with friends or hug your child, take a moment to mentally acknowledge how good you have it. 

6. Harmony: Prioritize Group over Individual Needs

Hygge values the comfort of the group more than individual needs. This prioritization was critical when the entire family spent weeks together in a confined space. With so many people in such close proximity, if everyone demanded their own way things would get uncomfortable quickly. Putting greater value on the needs of the group allows the tribe to work together to create an atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. 

Harmony focuses on creating a shared sense of well-being; a balanced social atmosphere, where no one stands out or feels ignored or pressured. Each person contributes in their own way, or simply does their own thing, while allowing others the same privilege. 

7. Comfort: Indulge Your Senses

There’s something deeply hygge about enjoying comfort while the world around you is frozen. Make an effort to create a soft, warm, peaceful environment. When your body feels safe and cozy, your mind follows.

Find what makes you feel most comfortable and indulge. Play relaxing music while you soak in a warm bath. Prepare simple, comfort food like soups, stews, or grazing boards with cheese, crackers, fruit, and nuts. Food should be easy. Avoid anything that requires constant attention or too much energy.

Take time to indulge in warm blankets, soft pillows, fuzzy socks, and cozy hats. Create a cozy nest where you can binge-watch your favorite movies or simply relax together in comfortable silence. Let your body and mind relax completely.

8. Truce: Leave Drama at the Door

Prioritize peace during your hibernation. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems or pretending everything is perfect; but rather, choosing not to pick battles during this intentional time of rest. 

Do your best to focus on the positive and leave politics and rivalries for another time. Bringing up disagreements, religious differences, or other sensitive personal issues has a way of dividing loved ones and creating negative emotions.

The goal of hygge is to protect the peaceful atmosphere you’ve created together. It is a time to focus on what you have in common, not what divides you; to appreciate each individual sincerely for who they are and focus on the beautiful tapestry of life your tribe has created.

9. Togetherness: Build Your Bond

Physical proximity releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone that strengthens relationships and reduces stress. Spend time bonding with your family, drawing close both physically and emotionally. 

This might look like everyone piled on one couch even though there are empty chairs in the room. It might also mean parallel play in the same room rather than scattering around the house. It’s about choosing closeness over convenience at whatever level works best for your group. 

Hygge is a group activity. Share warmth and create memorable moments as you gather together. Play games that require cooperation rather than competition. Cook together, clean up together, exist together. The togetherness is the point. Tell stories from your childhood, watch old family videos, look through photo albums and remember the good times you’ve shared.

10. Shelter: Your Safe Haven

Imagine your home is a cave in the depth of winter. You should feel safe not only with the company you keep but also from the outside weather and storms.

Focus on the peace and security you enjoy because of the tribe around you. Let the wind howl outside while you’re warm indoors. Watch the snow fall from the comfort of your couch. The contrast between the harsh world outside and the sanctuary you’ve created inside is part of what makes hygge so powerful.

This sense of shelter extends beyond physical safety. Work to create an emotional haven; a space where everyone can be vulnerable, tired, silly, or quiet without judgment. Your hygge space should feel like the safest place in the world.

Modern Hibernation

While hygge excels at creating the perfect environment for hibernation, it doesn’t quite address the act of hibernation itself. 

Hibernation is a combination of survival techniques meant to get you through the winter. These techniques have evolved into behavioral patterns that are still found in society today. 

The purpose of modern hibernation is to embrace these winter patterns for a controlled period of time in order to convince your body that you’ve survived the winter, allowing you to physically reset and emerge ready for a new season.

There are many ways to embrace natural winter patterns, but three are essential to getting the full effect of modern hibernation. 

1. Reduce Responsibilities

Clear your schedule. Have the groceries delivered. Take a break from social media. Avoid commitments during your planned hibernation timeframe. Allow yourself to stay in the cave as long as you can. 

When you have fewer responsibilities, you are able to let go of outside influences and focus on yourself. The less you are required to do, plan, or deliver, the more rested you become mentally.

2. Eliminate Schedules 

Prioritize physical rest. Turn off your alarm; spend the morning in bed. Don’t change out of your pajamas or even put on makeup. Focus on feeling as relaxed as possible. Lower expectations for yourself and others, drifting through your days for as long as you can. 

Trust your body to know what it needs. Follow your instincts. If you feel like staying in bed all day, you probably need it. If you find yourself napping on the couch in the middle of the afternoon, don’t fight it. Listen to your body and allow it to recover from a busy year. 

3. Indulge in Hobbies

Redirect any need to be efficient or productive into doing something creative. If you can’t think of anything, start with something small and relaxing, like a puzzle of some sort, cooking a meal, or researching a topic that interests you. Let your mind focus on pleasant activities that bring you joy. Replacing the strain of responsibility with the joy of creativity can bring your emotions back into balance. 

Discover the Best Version of Yourself

When you combine rest and relaxation, you can achieve renewal. Like a sleeping mind clears away mental fog, winter rest allows you to clear the clutter of a hectic life. 

A retreat from the everyday provides an opportunity to see a clear vision of what you want and which direction you should go, to remember WHY you work so hard, and to reclaim the joy that you have in family, friends, and free time.

Step away from your usual patterns, allow yourself to rest, relax, and pursue personal interests. If done properly, you can emerge from your short hibernation with a better sense of self, deeper connections with loved ones, and a clear focus for the new year of who you want to become and what you need to focus on. 

How Will You Hygge?

Start by giving yourself permission to rest. Let go of stress. Relax. Hygge doesn’t have to be done in one grand hibernation binge when the kids are out of school. It’s about keeping things simple. Practice and refine your habits all winter long in short bursts.

Slowly add to existing habits and traditions to include more hygge and hibernation principles. Make homemade whipped cream for your hot chocolate. Turn on fewer lights in the evening. Focus on keeping the peace whenever possible. 

Flow with the natural rhythms of the season. Take time to reset, together and individually. Lower expectations for everyone, savor slowness, and find pleasure in each moment. No matter how you apply it, this is sure to become one of your favorite wintertime traditions.