For many, a relaxing escape to the mountains sounds like the dreamiest opinion for a winter getaway. With the goal of getting cozy, staying mindful, and prioritizing well-being, many are booking winter weekend getaways for this exact purpose. But did you know there’s actually a word for this practice?
What is hygge?
The Danish word “hygge” (pronounced: hoo-guh) is the practice of prioritizing a warm, comfortable atmosphere that enables mindfulness and relaxation. Lighting candles, cozying up by the fire, reading a good book that you’ve been meaning to open…these are all ways you can embody the concept of hygge for yourself. And we can attest, there are few better places to do so than tucked away in a cozy cabin with minimal distractions aside from nature’s beauty. Hygge might be one of the reasons why danish people are considered the happiest people, they just might be onto something.
Hygge at Home
While it’s great to practice the hygge lifestyle, it’s more than just a mindset to keep you grounded. Hygge can also be present throughout environments and curated spaces. For example, we at Midnight Moon Cabins have taken hygge into careful consideration when building and creating our cabins for guests looking for an elevated experience. By implementing thoughtful design techniques and modern amenities throughout our cabins and across our properties, we’ve been able to create an ideal place that allows people to rest comfortably while engaging in thoughtful activities that promote simple joy. An open layout with cozy corners in our vacation rentals aren’t just a coincidence, they’re intentionally added to enable you to sit, recharge, and harness your own energy to remain mindful throughout your stay. Which all makes for the perfect place to feel the hygge spirit thats in all of us.
You can implement hygge design elements and techniques throughout your own home as well. In fact, we love to recommend the book American Cozy: Hygge-Inspired Ways to Create Comfort & Happiness by Stephanie Pederson to all of our followers and guests looking to upgrade their own hygge experience at home. It’s amazing just how much of a difference you can make by focusing on what truly matters.
Winter Hygge in the Mountains
For many of us, the cold winters cut down on our ability (and willingness) to get out and about, enjoy fresh air, and feel the sun on our faces. It can be hard to enjoy the present moment when you might always be thinking about how chilly it is outside or that you’d rather be on a beach somewhere. But there’s a way to hygge your way through a winter in the mountains and come out on top. Harnessing the power of winter to refresh and recharge isn’t impossible, and in fact is made even easier with hygge practices.
Focusing on winter activities that force you to remain thoughtful and present-minded is key. A few of our favorite hygge practices to take advantage of in the mountains include:
Writing letters to loved ones. Taking a moment to send a sweet hello and thoughtful note to a loved one can remind you of all the greatness that surrounds you in everyday life.
Snuggling up by the fire. Whether you do it solo or with a snuggle buddy, staring into the fire can be great inspiration for quiet reflection or even allow your mind to wander, inspiring your creative juices to flow and giving you a sense of purpose. Cozy up by a roaring fire with your favorite warm blanket and hot chocolate during winter months is the perfect way to embody the essence of hygge.
Listening more and talking less. Allowing the conversation around you to flow naturally can allow you to pay attention from a different perspective and absorb things you may have otherwise missed. Learning more about your loved ones through this practice can help you feel more connected to them, and yourself and leads to a feeling of contentment.
Finding a nice view. We’re willing to bet that it’s been a while since you sat and stared out the window in quiet reflection. And it might sound cheesy, but this is another great way to allow your mind to wander and inspire creativity or mindfulness. You might even be lucky enough to observe some of nature’s most precious quiet moments like watching snow fall.
Exploring outdoors. If it’s been awhile since you’ve gotten outside and connected with nature, doing so could be the refreshing experience that your mind and body need to feel more in sync. Experiencing the beauty of the planet around you can be an incredibly grounding practice and can remind you what’s important in life. A long soak in a hot tub, or step outside for 5 minutes, take a snowshoe hike through the woods, spend an extra quiet moment at the top of the ski hill, or go for a sleigh ride with your family, we can’t recommend this one enough.
There you have it. The ultimate guide to staying sane and hygge-ing your way through a winter in the mountains. When in doubt, we recommend taking a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and be intentional about what you choose to do next. This Danish concept called hygge is a great way to remember that reflective time in a comfortable environment is good for the soul, and contributes to a happier, healthier lifestyle.
Midnight Moon Cabins is here to help you embrace all things hygge on your next getaway.