在白昼渐短，天气转寒的季节，人们很难保持在晴朗夏日时常能感受到的快乐心情。每年，丹麦人都会经历漫长而阴沉的冬日，可是丹麦却被认为是世界上最幸福的国家。你想享受一个舒适而快乐的冬天吗？

 

Imagine this scene: it's blowing a gale¹ outside, you're snuggled up on the sofa under a warm duvet, chatting and reminiscing with your closest friends. 

 

That content, snug² feeling has a name in Danish – 'hygge'. And, as Denmark recently won the title of 'happiest country in the world', the rest of the world is becoming more and more interested in finding ways to embrace this concept.

 

'Hygge' - originally from a Norwegian word meaning 'wellbeing' - doesn't have an exact equivalent in English. It's often translated as cosiness³, or as blogger Anna West told the BBC, ''cosiness of the soul." But, as translator ToveMaren Stakkestad explains: "Hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt."

 

Essentially⁴, Hygge involves creating a warm, cosy⁵ atmosphere and enjoying it with your loved ones. Danish winters are long and dark and so achieving 'hygge' is particularly relevant during this season. A typical 'hygge' activity during winter could be, enjoying delicious homemade food and light-hearted conversation with friends – preferably in the warm glow of candlelight; or maybe sipping⁶ a glass of mulled wine in the hot tub after a day spent skiing.

 

However, Hygge isn't only confined to the bleak⁷ winter months – it can also describe that warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a walk through a forest with friends on summer's day or a family barbecue in the park.

 

The concept of 'hygge' is currently taking the world by storm with more and more people becoming obsessed⁸ with achieving a state of wellbeing.  Articles, books and stocking fillers, full of tips on how to achieve hygge, are hitting the market. Although, some believe this has become a marketing⁹ and advertising¹⁰ ploy¹¹, the benefits of staying happy cannot be underestimated. So, as the winter nights draw in, instead of hibernating¹², get into your favourite onesie, bake some cookies and curl up by a roaring fire with a good book. And if you can do this with friends and family, even better - hygge is meant to be shared.

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