Hygge in the Heat: How to Stay Cozy All Summer Long
Most often, hygge is associated with autumn or winter. Cozy sweaters, candles, crackling fireplaces, and cold days that make you want to curl up with a book are a bit more obvious as seasons which are conducive to hygge. Because of this, people often guess that autumn is my favorite season. While I love the hygge opportunities that autumn presents, I prefer warmer weather. Summer is my absolute favorite.
So, how do you stay cozy all summer long when it’s too hot to cuddle under a blanket and you’ve traded your hot beverage for an iced one?
Hygge isn’t just about coziness. While coziness is a huge factor, it isn’t the only one. This is why hygge can’t be directly translated from Danish to English as “cozy.” For me, hygge in the summer is a lot lot more about the relational aspects of hygge.
My top tips for keeping hygge alive during the warmer months:
✨ Make memories — Intentionally go on adventures, have picnics, go on car rides, watch a movie at a drive-in theatre, jam out to music, and make the most of your time. Togetherness is incredibly important for hygge so be sure to grab the kids, your best friend, or make new friends along the way. Making memories shouldn’t be stressful. Sometimes the best memories are made when we don’t try so hard. Realize that things might not go perfectly, plans change, and you can still enjoy it because it is time together.
✨ Practice gratitude — Gratitude is a huge part of hygge. Did you know being thankful literally changes your brain to be happier making life cozier/more hygge? Write down 5 things you’re thankful for daily. You’d be surprised just how much it can improve your outlook on life to be consistently grateful. Have your kids write down things they are thankful for. When they are having a rough day, have them look at what they wrote down in the past as reasons to be thankful.
✨ Allow margin — Summer is go go go, especially if you have kids. Make time for doing the little things that help you feel rested and bring you joy. Do art, watch your favorite feel good movie, bake some goodies, take a nap, whatever it is for you. Slow down. You don’t have to fill every second. Learn to say “no.”
How do YOU stay cozy all summer long? I would love to hear! Leave a comment below.
