Winter Hygge I managed a lovely wintery walk this morning but as the weather stays cold and the ice is becoming a bit too slippery it feels like time to focus on the home rather than the great outdoors. Hygge is all about Peaceful, Quiet And Cozy Surroundings. Hygge, pronounced (Hue-gah) is a Danish word originally derived from an Old Norwegian word meaning well-being and protection from the outside elements. Denmark has notoriously cold, long winters. The concept of hygge has been used by Danish people to help mentally combat the brutally dark, relentless winter season and fill their homes with comfort and love. Hygge is a word that is so important to Danish people; it’s often used to describe what their culture is all about. Hygge is not necessarily something specific that you can buy, because it’s more of a feeling than a possession. Hygge really is the epitome of Danish living, and in the last few years the concept of hygge has become a bit of a buzz word. Hygge can widely be described as a feeling of coziness, comfort, familiarity, friendship, laughter and seasonal homemade food and drinks. Although it’s possible to achieve hygge any time of the year (an outdoor BBQ with friends or with family is a perfectly good example of summertime hygge). Hygge is generally associated with the colder months because if it’s ability to uplift spirits during dark, long winter months. Hygge is perfect for the cold winter months because it’s all about peaceful, cozy surroundings that fill you with the feeling of contentment. Here are a few, simple ways you can bring hygge into your home this season. Host family and friends over zoom - Be sure not to stress over these gatherings, hygge evenings are relaxed, friendly and homey. Warm lighting - in order to achieve a great sense of hygge, be sure to light some candles, have a fire or set up some fairy lights. Warm lightning is essential for a hygge atmosphere. Cozy linens, blankets and textures - get out all of those soft, fluffy blankets and have them available on the couch or chairs and by the windows, so that you can easily cuddle up with your favorite book and relax. Home cooking and baking - cooking some traditional meals and treats will help bring hygge into your home. Comfort foods like, stews, savory flatbreads, home made biscuits, cinnamon apple pie will waft soul-warming scents throughout the air, making your home feel cozy and cared for. If you can't fragrance your home with home baking, relax, scented candles or an aromatherapy diffuser will certainly do the trick. Cinnamon, pine or frankinsence create a warm,cozy atmosphere Hygge is easy and comforting. Most people are already doing at least some of these simple hygge hacks without even knowing it. Now that you know the term for that warm and fuzzy feeling, you will be able to up your winter hygge game even further.
Why do we focus on self-care? In a world of uncertainty and demands on your time and energy, feeling stressed and overwhelmed to some extent is inevitable. Stress can lead to various mental and physical health problems, along with depleting your energy and taking away from your quality of life. Fortunately, you can diminish the negative effects of emotional strain by taking good care of yourself. Self care is a necessary tool in managing your response to stress. Read on to discover the connection and how you can begin taking charge of your own emotional well-being. Self Care and Stress Self care is one of your best weapons in dealing with the fallout of stress. It replenishes your emotional energy reserves. Caring for yourself adds to your resilience. It helps you get back up when you’re feeling depleted and exhausted. When you prioritize your care, you’ll have the stamina to handle future stressors and be ready to take on the everyday obstacles you’re bound to encounter. Chronic stress has real implications for your physical health, as well. That’s why self care activities are so important for your well-being. Self Care for Mental Health Remember that self care involves intentionally prioritizing yourself. That means you need to make a concerted effort to ensure you’re attending to your needs on a regular basis and that you’re prepared to take time to care for yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This type of timeout takes you away from the stress for a moment and allows you to regather your strength. Take some action to soothe the body and the mind. Focusing on yourself lets you forge new paths and set new goals. It boosts your self-esteem and provides momentum for making positive choices in various aspects of your life. Such respites are beneficial and necessary for your mental health. Strategies to Reduce Stress There are steps you can take when you find yourself feeling snowed under by life’s demands. The key is listening to your body and paying attention to your emotions in order to recognize when you need a break. Intentionally taking time to relax, renew and unwind can get you back on track. There are lots of things you can do to reduce that stress. Saying no to demands on your time and energy is a good place to start. This helps to reduce the overwhelm you’re feeling and gives you more free time to pursue your own interests. Engaging in soothing activities like yoga, meditation, journaling or reading can give you a quick refresh to help you get through the rest of your day. Just stepping outside into the fresh air can even do the trick. Learning to manage your stress is one of the best ways you can improve your physical and mental health. Be good to yourself and take a moment to engage in self care when you’re feeling overwhelmed. You won’t regret it.
Anyone can make one: For better or worse, anyone can write a blog post about anything they want. Everyone has a voice and the best voices will rise to the top. The writer can show their personality: In blog posts, the writer has more leeway to add in their voice and personality than other types of writing. Blogs are a great form of mass communication: You can help people, learn new things, entertain your audience—the possibilities are endless and amazing. Blogging opens up all of these to a very wide audience. You can make money: Get the right blog going and you can make a lot of money through advertising and sponsored posts. It allows people to craft better thoughts: Instead of reading haphazard, uneducated Facebook statuses, it’s much better to see people’s thought process in a well-written blog post. You can establish a community: Blogging allows you to connect with other individuals who share the same interests. Sharing ideas and opinions within your community helps establish yourself as a thought leader. Good for SEO: Keeping content on your site fresh and relevant, you can use your blog to boost the search engine ranking (SEO) of your site and your business. It brings people back to your site: If your blog is strong enough and updated regularly, people will come back looking for more and bring traffic back to your site as well. It’s free: It costs you a grand total of zero dollars to post to the blog, so if you have something to say, there’s nothing to stop you. You can establish yourself as a thought leader: A blog is a great place for your original thoughts, and it can be a wonderful way to show off your individuality. If people like your ideas, you can become a thought leader in your industry! What else do you love about blogs? Let me know!