在白昼渐短,天气转寒的季节,大家非常难维持在晴朗夏日时常能感觉到的快乐心情。每年,丹麦人都会历程漫长而阴沉的冬天,可是丹麦却被觉得是世界上最幸福的国家。你想享受一个舒适而开心的冬季吗?
Imagine this scene: its blowing a gale1 outside, youre snuggled up on the sofa under a warm duvet, chatting and reminiscing with your closest friends.
That content, snug2 feeling has a name in Danish hygge. And, as Denmark recently won the title of happiest country in the world, the rest of the world is becoming more and more interested in finding ways to embrace this concept.
Hygge - originally from a Norwegian word meaning wellbeing - doesnt have an exact equivalent in English. Its often translated as cosplayiness3, or as blogger Anna West told the BBC, cosplayiness of the soul. But, as translator ToveMaren Stakkestad explains: Hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt.
Essentially4, Hygge involves creating a warm, cosplayy5 atmosphere and enjoying it with your loved ones. Danish winters are long and dark and so achieving hygge is particularly relevant during this season. A typical hygge activity during winter could be, enjoying delicious homemade food and light-hearted conversation with friends preferably in the warm glow of candlelight; or maybe sipping6 a glass of mulled wine in the hot tub after a day spent skiing.
However, Hygge isnt only confined to the bleak7 winter months it can also describe that warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a walk through a forest with friends on summers day or a family barbecue in the park.
The concept of hygge is currently taking the world by storm with more and more people becoming obsessed8 with achieving a state of wellbeing. Articles, books and stocking fillers, full of tips on how to achieve hygge, are hitting the market. Although, some believe this has become a marketing9 and advertising10 ploy11, the benefits of staying happy cannot be underestimated. So, as the winter nights draw in, instead of hibernating12, get into your favourite onesie, bake some cookies and curl up by a roaring fire with a good book. And if you can do this with friends and family, even better - hygge is meant to be shared.