The concept of hygge is integral to Danish life. The therapeutic benefits of hyggeligt activities include reducing feelings of anxiety, and loneliness (something often recognised by Internationals first arriving and integrating into Danish life) and promote feelings of comfort, well-being, connectiveness and positivity due to the release of the chemical oxytocin. It’s something that everyone can embrace, regardless of nationality, background, income or status, and it doesn’t have to cost a thing. It’s about finding joy in the simplest things. Getting outside into nature. Enjoying friendly conversation and good food. So how can you put this into practice and feel the instant benefits? Well, let me share my suggestions for indulging in a dose of Sunday morning hygge, together with some tips to help you ‘live like a local’.
One of the many advantages of living in Denmark is that you are never far from the water, and therefore never far from bathing or ‘dipping’ opportunities. This can be a year-round activity and is surprisingly fantastic in winter with the correct preparation, however, it’s generally advisable to start in the summer or when the water is more pleasant, ideally >15C. Of course the Danes have an app for checking water temperatures and wind conditions at your nearest location (dmi.dk/ Badevandstemperatur) so that should be your first step, and will ensure you don’t turn up when the wind will either blow you to Sweden, or it’s too shallow and you end up wading half way to Sweden. Its perfectly acceptable to go solo bathing, however if you feel like company then you might ask ‘Skal vi tage et dip’ to see who is keen. Next up, what to wear. It’s fair to say anything goes; it’s common to see people walking to the local jetty in their dressing gown (perhaps less so in central Copenhagen but definitely acceptable out of town), towel under the arm. Or you may decide to go by bike, and go straight in. Most places have baskets attached for you to place your belongings in while you swim, or somewhere to secure your towel. Forgotten your swimming costume (badetøj)? No problem. Not uncommon in the older generation, it’s entirely normal to turn up and find people swimming naked. Welcome to Denmark- where else is it considered polite behaviour to engage in chit chat with a completely naked stranger of either gender. In fact, you’ll be considered rude if you don’t at least say ‘godmorgen’ and a ‘hav en god day’ on departure,
After your dip what better way to celebrate than with a small reward from a local bakery. But that’s a topic for a whole different conversation. Hav en hyggelig søndag!
