The Hyggelig Journey

As an acupuncture physician practising in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, I face five main challenges that highlight the need for ongoing education about acupuncture. These challenges stem from misconceptions about integrative treatment, unrealistic expectations for immediate results, a limited understanding of acupuncture techniques, the role of hygge in the healing process, and the integration of cognitive therapy. Overcoming them is essential not only for raising awareness but also for building trust and ensuring long-term patient commitment. One of the most common difficulties is explaining what integrative treatment truly means. Many people still view acupuncture as an isolated or even mystical practice, unaware that it is recognised by modern medicine as part of a broader healthcare approach. This misconception can lead to hesitation or scepticism, making clear and effective communication essential. Medical acupuncture is a complete therapeutic system capable of treating a...

As a board certified acupuncture physician, I have observed the profound benefits of acupuncture for emotional clarity. This ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine goes beyond treating physical conditions; it also promotes emotional and mental balance. Emotional clarity is the ability to identify, understand, and express emotions in a healthy way. Recent studies show that it can modulate the relationship between inflammation and depression. Individuals with low emotional clarity and high levels of inflammatory markers, such as interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, exhibit more severe symptoms of depression. This highlights the importance of emotional balance in the prevention and treatment of depression. Acupuncture acts on the nervous system, stimulating specific points to release neurotransmitters and hormones that promote well-being. These stimuli help reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and positively impact mental health. Additionally, acupunctur...

In the dim light of the clinic, there is a moment when silence weighs like an ancient secret. The needle touches the skin, and the body responds before the mind can catch up — knowing, somehow, what thought has yet to grasp. Pain, anguish, insomnia — the invisible knots of existence — woven not only into the meridians but also into words left unsaid. And then, a conversation begins. Not the kind that drifts between habit and haste, lost in the noise of routine. But a finer listening, a thread of thought unspooling precisely where the body seeks relief. Acupuncture opens doors the mind has closed without noticing. Therapy steps in quietly, tidying the chaos, like sweeping dry leaves without a sound. Because touching the body is not enough if the mind remains trapped in the dim corridors of fear. Pain is not only what happens to us, but what we do with what happens to us. Thoughts stitch themselves into feeling, tightening the knot in the chest, keeping pain captive. And h...

For over 19 years, Kasper Nymand has been more than just a friend — he’s my topbud . It’s not a widely known term, but it perfectly captures our bond. Kasper’s mind is nothing short of extraordinary — always hungry to learn, explore, and challenge ideas. His curiosity knows no bounds, and his insights never fail to inspire me. Through him, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for Danish culture, from the comforting embrace of hygge — that cosy, contented sense of togetherness — to the strong values of social fairness that shape life in Denmark. One of our long-standing fascinations has been the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (as flawed as it may be). Several years ago, we both took the assessment — I was identified as an INTJ (with a notably developed Introverted Feeling), while he was classified as an INFJ at the time. It sparked countless conversations about how we perceive the world, how we think, feel, and make decisions. But people evolve, and so did his result. More re...

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.

I am almost certain we could say that hygge represents a hypo-egoic state of mind. The sense of comfort, contentment, and connection it fosters aligns closely with the non-entitlement perception of reality that characterises a hypo-egoic state. In hygge , the emphasis shifts away from self-importance and individual achievement towards a shared, present-moment experience—whether through simple pleasures, warm social bonds, or an appreciation of life's small joys. This surrender of ego-driven concerns in favour of collective well-being and mindful presence makes hygge not just a cultural concept but a psychological state that encourages humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of belonging.

Change stretches us, tugs at the edges of who we are, unsettling the comfort of the known. It urges us to step beyond the familiar and into the uncertain — a quiet disturbance, a necessary tremor. When you long for change, a touch of order makes all the difference. Begin with clarity: what is it you truly seek? And why? The reasons must be sharp, like light slicing through mist. Then, define your place within it. What lies within your reach, and what does not? There is wisdom in recognising the limits of control — expectations lose their weight when set upon unsteady ground. And finally, ask yourself: for whom do you wish to change? Some move to escape inertia, others to embrace something newly found. But no one transforms without cause, drifting without direction. Sometimes, the presence of others steadies us, their quiet support a force in itself. And when that happens, change — however daunting — ceases to be a rupture. Instead, it becomes an unfolding.