Skip to main content

Hygge: Slow Moments of Grace

Image
By

Hygge is a Danish concept that describes the feeling of comfort, cosiness, and well-being found in simple, pleasurable moments. In Brazil, it can be felt in the gentle sway of a hammock on a veranda, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the warm breeze flowing through an open window, or the lush greenery of tropical plants. More than just a lifestyle, hygge is a state of mind that fosters relaxation and emotional balance.

I first encountered hygge twenty years ago when one of my best friends, Kasper Nymand, introduced me to the concept. Since then, I have understood how deeply it aligns with the principles of Chinese Medicine, particularly in relation to the balance of Shen (mind), the most subtle manifestation of Qi (vital energy). When Qi becomes scattered or stagnant due to stress, symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and mental fatigue emerge. Creating a welcoming environment and embracing moments of pleasure and rest are essential to restoring this balance and strengthening emotional well-being.

The fast-paced nature of modern life keeps the sympathetic nervous system constantly active, raising cortisol levels and making the mind restless. Hygge acts as a natural regulator by encouraging genuine pauses for mental restoration. Sitting in a wooden chair under the shade of a tree, reading to the sound of rain, or sharing an afternoon coffee with friends activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and regeneration. This state helps regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA, both crucial for psychological well-being.

Just as acupuncture harmonises energy flow and modulates neural circuits linked to stress and depression, hygge teaches the importance of slowing down and embracing the present moment. Simple practices like walking barefoot on a wooden floor, enjoying a herbal tea, or watching the sunset help stabilise emotions, stimulate pleasure-related brain areas, and build emotional resilience.

Mental health is not merely the absence of symptoms but the active cultivation of well-being. Bringing hygge into daily life is a way of nurturing the mind with the same care we give the body, creating an internal and external environment that fosters balance and tranquillity.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Balanced Progress

By
Acupuncture harmonises the body and mind, fostering mental clarity and emotional maturity. These benefits naturally support three fundamental pillars of human and social progress: understanding the world, self-reflection, and transforming knowledge into action. As a result, acupuncture patients often distinguish themselves in society, developing a broader perspective, making more conscious choices, and maintaining a balanced approach to life. The first pillar centres on expanding knowledge and deepening understanding of the world. Those who actively seek learning overcome limitations and drive transformation. However, stress and emotional burdens can obstruct this process, making it difficult to absorb new information and think critically. This ancient practice alleviates tension, improves mental clarity, and enhances cognitive receptiveness, allowing the mind to fully embrace new ideas and innovations. By fostering a sense of openness, acupuncture helps individuals perceiv...
Post a Comment
Read more

On Loyalty and the Quiet Companionship of Pippen

By
I have a cosmopolitan friend who, by the mercy of chance — that discreet and impartial arbiter of destinies — was born in Serbia. Industrious beyond measure, he treats work not merely as obligation but as a quiet philosophy, a means of aligning oneself with the silent order of things. And he is a companion of a rare kind: steadfast, discerning, and, above all, loyal. His name is Pippen. We first crossed paths in the now-vanished days of Google+ — that fleeting agora where, for a moment, the world’s geeks entertained the gentle delusion that they might, in time, inherit the Earth. It was an age of bright aspiration, tinged with naïveté, yet marked by a peculiar fellowship that transcended all borders and conventions. Among Pippen’s many virtues, loyalty stands pre-eminent. Not the clamorous, performative loyalty so fashionable in this restless age, but the quieter, unwavering kind — the loyalty of one who stays. It is revealed not in grand gestures but in small, consistent a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Subtle Daily Happiness

By
Happiness is a landscape hidden in the details. It does not arrive with trumpets, but in whispers: a ray of sunlight slipping through the window, the scent of morning coffee, the hush before a burst of laughter. We live in an age that mistakes happiness for grandeur, as if it depended on spectacular achievements or material possessions. Yet, its essence lies in the opposite—in the ability to notice what is already there, nearly invisible, yet full of meaning. There is an irony in this. While we chase ambitious goals—promotions, travels, recognition—we overlook what the philosopher Epicurus called “simple pleasures”: a conversation with a friend, the joy of an unhurried meal, the quiet sense of belonging when watching the sunset. Neuroscience reinforces this idea: small moments of connection or contemplation trigger neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, responsible for our sense of well-being. Happiness, then, is not a destination, but a way of walking. Part of its subtlety l...
Post a Comment
Read more