The Hyggelig Journey

As an acupuncture physician, I am keen to share emerging research that highlights the profound influence of mental health on longevity. Growing evidence suggests that psychological well-being not only shapes the risk of chronic disease and cognitive decline but also plays a pivotal role in the ageing process. A study in BMJ Mental Health underscores how stress, anxiety, and depression accelerate harmful biological mechanisms, whereas psychological resilience acts as a safeguard against premature ageing. Acupuncture is increasingly recognised as an effective approach to strengthening mental resilience and preserving cognitive function, offering a holistic means of fostering long-term well-being. Research indicates that acupuncture modulates key neural networks involved in emotional processing, mitigates neuroinflammation, and enhances neuroplasticity. A study in Nature Communications found that electroacupuncture prevents astrocytic atrophy in the prefrontal cortex, thereby ...

Enthusiasm is a breath from within, a spark that, once lit, makes each step feel lighter. It cannot be explained, only felt — like a wind that sweeps away the dust of monotony and makes space for the quiet brilliance of ordinary things. Motivation is something else entirely. It comes and goes, a fleeting impulse dependent on something outside of us. A desire, a promise, a goal to be reached. But without enthusiasm, motivation tires. And what tires too much, eventually gives up. Disinterest, on the other hand, is a dead weight. An emptiness at the centre of the chest where nothing grows. Life passes by, and one merely observes, without the will to reach out and touch it. The body senses it: shoulders sag, the gaze loses its light, breathing becomes shallow. Energy stagnates, time drags on, and everything feels like an unnecessary effort. But enthusiasm — ah, enthusiasm! — it has roots of its own. It needs no applause, no encouragement, no reward. It arises when we find me...

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 st...

It is not quite true that there is a pill for everything. In the West, what we see most frequently are symptomatic treatments that provide temporary control. The idea of a pill that could solve everything at once and forever is not feasible — at least, not yet. Take, for example, mood and neurovegetative disorders. There is evidence that mood is influenced by several complex physiological axes, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the sympathetic-adrenal axis, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Any alteration in how these systems operate and communicate can impact mood. And, as they are evidently interconnected, the complexity is such that achieving complete pharmacological control remains highly unlikely. However, it is important to recognise that not all mental health issues require medication. There is a wide range of techniques and fields of study that can complement psychiatry, including psychology, physical education, neuroscience, and integrative med...

When you control what is possible and reasonable, you demonstrate discipline and determination. When you try to control the impossible and unlikely, you demonstrate desperation. Anxiety often stems from this very struggle—the urge to control what is beyond your reach. In itself, anxiety is an adaptive phenomenon, preparing you to navigate daily life. However, when you attempt to suppress it at all costs, you not only hinder your ability to adapt but also create another obstacle. Rather than seeking control over your anxiety, seek acceptance. This means allowing yourself to think and feel whatever arises, even when it is uncomfortable. When you try to suppress anxious thoughts, you create a problem greater than the thoughts themselves—leading to procrastination, fear, withdrawal, and despair. This, in turn, can give rise to pathological anxiety and coping mechanisms such as alcoholism or compulsive shopping. Recognising yourself as an anxious person is probably quite dif...

Shadows serve only to highlight the light. Fearful, fearless — just a matter of choice. A step to the left, another to the right. When fear does not sit at your table, you think light, think blue sky, think laughter in the afternoon. When it does, you think storm, hollow streets, the echo of something missing. But why feed what depletes you? Why give breath to the shadow, why make a home for the cold? Do not lean on what could go wrong. Do not cradle the weight of fear like an old companion. It does not guide you, does not serve you. It only keeps you awake at night, whispering doubts in the dark. Better to weave the day with lighter threads — expectation of good, certainty of warmth. Let thoughts be gentle, let them land soft, like leaves on a river. Repeat. Again. Again. Until thought becomes stone, root, truth. Until the mind believes and fear forgets your name. And when the shadows press close, when they whisper at your door — smile. Say nothing. Only think light,...