The Hyggelig Journey

Our energy levels are shaped by habits that either fortify or deplete us. Recognising this is essential for sustaining vitality and well-being. Natural elements serve as powerful allies. Sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D, indispensable for mood regulation. Physical movement enhances circulation and alleviates stress. Meditation quietens the mind and nurtures emotional equilibrium, as does deep breathing. Proper hydration ensures the body functions optimally, warding off fatigue. Restorative sleep is paramount for both physical and mental renewal. Acupuncture revitalises the system and eases tension. Emotional and social well-being are equally vital. Living in the present alleviates anxiety and fosters a deeper sense of contentment. Meaningful relationships provide support and contribute to overall well-being. A nourishing diet supplies the body and mind with high-quality energy. On the other hand, certain habits sap our energy. Persistent fear stifles action, ...

Kaizen is a quiet hand, adjusting what seems unchangeable. It does not rush, does not force — just refines, shaping everything with time. A philosophy of small steps, daily refinements, imperceptible at first, but transformative in the end. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) follows the same rhythm, seeing health not as a fixed state but as a constant dance, a delicate balance in motion. Yin and Yang shift like the wind, never still. Qi moves through the body — sometimes freely, sometimes obstructed, needing space to circulate. When imbalance settles in, illness whispers before it shouts. TCM listens early, adjusting with subtlety, never imposing, only guiding. Like Kaizen, it does not seek abrupt change but gradual realignment, a quiet return to harmony. A small shift — an acupuncture needle barely felt, a slight change in diet, a deeper breath — can echo through the body like the steady rhythm of a heartbeat. What seems trivial today becomes, over time, a foundation of ...

Life is not just an equation to be solved. In fact, life is no equation at all. Because living escapes any exact calculation, it slips through the fingers, vanishes into corners. What remains? What disappears? I don’t know. But there is a point where everything converges: what we love, what we know, what the world needs, and what keeps us standing. The Japanese call it ikigai – a beautiful name for something that often has no name. And where do we find this point? Is it in a sudden flash of enlightenment, a spark in the middle of the day? Or is it built slowly, like someone stitching their own skin without realising it? I know that some spend their whole lives searching and never find it – perhaps because they expect a bright light, a visible sign, a message written in the sky. But purpose does not shout. It whispers. And one must be silent to hear it. Childhood tells us we can be anything. But time, oh, time... it narrows us, prunes our excesses, fits us into moulds. Work...

Unresolved trauma can manifest in many different ways — anxiety, insomnia, chronic tension, or even unexplained physical pain. These symptoms often develop gradually, without an obvious connection to past experiences, making them difficult to recognise as part of a deeper emotional wound. Instead of surfacing as clear memories, trauma frequently lingers in the nervous system, shaping how we react to stress, process emotions, and experience the world. In Tradicional Chinese Medicine, trauma is not seen as a purely psychological issue but as an energetic imbalance that affects the entire body. The mind and body are deeply interconnected, meaning that emotional distress can influence physical health just as much as physical imbalances can impact emotional well-being. Healing from trauma requires an approach that goes beyond intellectual understanding — it must also address the body’s response to past experiences. Acupuncture plays a vital role in this process by helping regula...

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...

Suddenly, without warning, the mind rises and begins to walk on its own. One step, then another, then a thousand. It moves without direction, yet always in haste. It wants to understand, to predict, to grasp the world in its hands. But the world slips away—as it always does. To think is to exist, they say. But what if thinking too much is a way of not being at all? Overthinking steals the moment, turns the simple into a maze, fills the quiet with noise. And then—the pause. A break in the current. A deep breath, a touch against the skin, a feeling without a name. The fine needle resting on the body, the inhale and exhale, the silence between one thought and the next—that is where life is. It is not about banishing the mind but teaching it to stay. To let it be without devouring. Because in the space between thoughts, life happens.

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...

Our ability to observe our own thoughts and emotions is linked to neural networks primarily located in the prefrontal cortex, just behind the forehead. Meanwhile, intense and unsettling emotions such as anger and anxiety stem from the brain’s more primitive circuits in the limbic system. Between the ages of five and seven, the brain takes a significant leap in its ability to regulate emotional impulses, and this capacity continues to develop throughout life (though during adolescence, emotional centres tend to mature faster than those responsible for self-control). The ability to stay focused and resist distractions — to observe impulses without immediately acting on them — can be trained and strengthened with the right guidance and consistent practice. One simple yet effective way to cultivate this skill is through short mindfulness exercises, such as a three-minute breathing practice. This brief but powerful exercise functions as a mental “push-up” to strengthen focus a...

Get moving — movement is therapy. Our bodies are designed to move, and when we honour that need, we unlock a powerful tool for well-being. Ancient practices like yoga, tai chi, and qigong have long been used to harmonise body and mind, promoting balance, flexibility, and inner peace. Whether you prefer structured movement or simple stretches, integrating physical activity into your day can be transformative. A quick search on YouTube can connect you with guided sessions designed to reduce stress, improve posture, and boost energy levels. Even if you have just a few minutes between tasks, a short sequence of sun salutations or a gentle child’s pose can help reset both body and mind. If time is scarce, even a simple act — like lifting your shoulders to your ears, holding briefly, and releasing with a deep exhale — can work wonders in releasing accumulated tension. But movement alone is not the only path to relaxation. Breathwork is an equally powerful ally. The way we breathe...

Often, due to anxiety, thoughts can become chaotic, and there is a certain level of fear about the future. However, simply knowing that you are doing something productive – whether it be undergoing acupuncture treatment, exercising, or practising self-massage – can help reduce worries about things beyond your control. It is always good to remember that your attitude and reaction are always within your control, and that matters more than predicting everything that might happen tomorrow.

Research suggests that approximately one-third of the world has an innate capacity for emotional intelligence – defined as the ability to recognise an emotion as you are experiencing it, a concept often referred to as "mindfulness." The remaining two-thirds, despite being emotional beings as well, tend to overlook what they feel and think. This happens because whatever we focus on grows, but if you ignore your perception, you weaken an essential resource. Ultimately, this affects the way people live and relate to others, reinforcing the saying: "My generation goes to therapy because yours didn’t." We have a deeply ingrained bias in how we deal with negative thoughts, instinctively clinging to negativity as it is. This often leads to the impression that life is hopeless. Without pausing to acknowledge negative thoughts, the electrical impulses in the brain associated with them are converted into neuroamines, which directly affect the limbic system – the...