By now, most of us have heard of, or at least seen, the funny little Danish word, hygge (even if we don't know how to pronounce it!) But what is it? And why does it make us so happy?
Meik Wiking
What's love got to do with it?
Posted on: Thu 17-Nov-16 12:56:22
(22 comments )
Hooga? Hhyooguh? Heurgh? It is not important how you choose to pronounce or even spell 'hygge'. To paraphrase one of the greatest philosophers of our time – Winnie-the-Pooh – when asked how to spell a certain emotion, "You don't spell it, you feel it."
Someone puts a hand on your shoulder, gives you a kiss or caresses your cheek and you instantly feel calm and happy. Our bodies work like that: it is a wonderful thing. Touch releases the neurohormone oxytocin, which makes us feel happy and reduces stress, fear and pain. But when do we experience the pleasure of having oxytocin flowing through our body?
A widespread saying is that hugs make us happier, and that is true – oxytocin starts flowing in intimate situations, and helps us connect to each other. Therefore, it is also called 'the cuddle hormone' or 'love hormone'. Hygge is an intimate activity often connected with cosiness and some company, which leads one to the conclusion that the body will make oxytocin flow during these events. Cuddling pets has the same effect as cuddling another person – we feel loved, warm and safe, which are three key words in the concept of hygge. Oxytocin is released when we're physically close to another person's body, and can be described as a 'social glue', since it keeps society together by means of co-operation, trust and love. Maybe that is why Danes trust complete strangers to such a great extent; they hygge a lot, and hygge activities release oxytocin, which decreases hostility and increases social connection. Also, warmth and fullness release this neurohormone. Good food, candles, fireplaces and blankets are constant companions to hygge – in a way, hygge is all about oxytocin. Could it be that simple? Perhaps it is not a coincidence that everything that has to do with hygge make us feel happy, calm and safe.
Maybe that is why Danes trust complete strangers to such a great extent; they hygge a lot, and hygge activities release oxytocin, which decreases hostility and increases social connection.
Being with other people is a key part of hygge but, as a happiness researcher, I can also testify that it might be the most important ingredient to happiness. There is broad agreement among happiness researchers and scientists that social relations are essential for people's happiness. According to the World Happiness Report commissioned by the United Nations, "While basic living standards are essential for happiness, after the baseline has been met, happiness varies more with quality of human relationships than income."
The importance of our relationships has even led to attempts to evaluate them in monetary terms. 'Putting a Price Tag on Friends, Relatives and Neighbours: Using Surveys of Life Satisfaction to Value Social Relationships', a study undertaken in the United Kingdom in 2008, estimated that an increase in social involvements may produce an increase of life satisfaction equivalent to an extra £85,000 a year.
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking is published by Penguin Life and available from Amazon.