As we enter into the colder months and shorter days, some people may experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to John Hopkins Medicine, “SAD is a type of depression that happens during a certain season of the year—most often fall and winter.” And seniors are particularly vulnerable to this seasonal depression since they often spend a lot of time indoors when the weather gets too cold. Although there isn’t a clear cause for SAD, the shorter days and less sunlight may be linked to a chemical change in the brain. Yet, Scandinavian (Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish) people are some of the happiest people in the world despite having harsh winters with very short days. Their secret may be the art of hygge (pronoiunced “hooga”).
Hygge is a concept that originates from an Old Norse word meaning “protected from the outside world” it has now expanded to mean a feeling of coziness, well-being, comfort, and security. It’s about creating a comfortable coziness during the winter months. It’s slow living, taking pleasure in the simple things in life, and taking time during the day just for yourself. And purposefully creating a sense of togetherness, with warmth and connection.
Create a Cozy Home Environment
The first step to embracing the concept of hygge is creating a warm and comfortable home environment. Since the home is where you are going to be spending most of your time during the cold month, make it a place you enjoy being in. The Scandinavians do this with lots of candles or warm, glowy lighting. Use yellow lights in lamps instead of a harsh overhead light. Or enjoy the warm glow and inviting scent of a candle. If you live in a facility that doesn’t allow candles you can opt for an essential oil diffuser, an electric candle burner with an auto shut off, or flameless or battery powered candles to get the same effect.
Warm snuggly blankets, soft fuzzy socks, and a cozy sweater are also helpful in creating a hygge environment. A fireplace or even just a video of a fireplace can help set the hygge mood as well. And a view of the outdoors, so you can enjoy the cold weather while snuggled up.You basically want to create an environment that feels like returning back to a warm cabin after a day of skiing or hiking. You can also bring the outside in with some plants to liven up your space. You can grow flowers, succulents, herbs, bulbs, or even start some plants for an outdoor garden in the spring.
Do Hygge Activities
Several activities can be considered hygge. In Sweden one such activity is a fika, which is an afternoon break that usually involves coffee, hot cocoa, or tea and a sweet treat like a cinnamon roll. So, make a batch of cinnamon rolls or pick some up from a local bakery and invite some friends or family over for a hygge fika. To make this hygge, it’s about making the time to be with people and enjoying the conversation and treats together. Making comfort foods like hearty soups or stews, pasta, decadent desserts, or a dish your mama used to make can be a very hygge activity as well, especially when it is enjoyed over candlelight and conversation with others. Be intentional and slow down while enjoying the food and conversation. Take time to savor all aspects of the flavors, aromas, textures, and even the colors of the meal.
There are also several hygge activities that can be enjoyed in solidarity. Read a book while snuggled up in your most comfortable pajamas next to a window looking out to the winter wonderland you’re escaping. Take a warm bath with essential oils, candles, and a warm towel to dry off with. You can also get bundled up and take advantage of the daylight that you do get to take a chilly stroll outside. While out, you can collect items from nature like rocks, pinecones, and leaves to do craft projects with when you’re back inside your hygge home environment.
How Hygge Can Help Seniors
Creating a hygge environment for seniors can help them to feel safe and secure in their environment. Having a home with a cozy atmosphere that creates feelings of comfort and safety can help relieve depression and anxiety, lower stress, and creates a more mindful well-being. Many of the hygge activities encourage togetherness or help create an environment that makes being alone feel less lonely. A comfortable and safe environment also encourages most people to nurture connections with the people they love.
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References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/seasonal-affective-disorder#:~:text=Key%20points%20about%20SAD,seasonal%20affective%20disorder%20(SAD).
https://denmark.dk/people-and-culture/hygge
https://www.seacarehomecare.com/resources/bringing-back-hygge-how-seniors-can-embrace-the-darker-months
https://www.waterstoneonaugusta.com/how-seniors-can-embrace-hygge/
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