I am so fortunate. If you have not already started to listen to the Teacher’s Pep Rally podcast, I encourage you to find the time. You won’t be disappointed. My friend Leticia at reignitED sent me an Amazon gift card (as a generous surprise) to purchase a book to encourage self-care. I bought The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking who happens to be the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. If you don’t know, hygge (hyoo-guh) is the Danish word for mood of coziness and comfort, a feeling of wellness. I felt like I NEEDED to tap into this culture and way of life, maybe you do too.
Find Moments of Happiness
Full disclosure, I have not gotten too far into the book, but I have already found just a few tidbits about how to create a cozy and comfortable environment. Like most people, life has been stressful…more than usual. I need to find moments in my day to have some peace, maybe a little quiet, but more importantly a sense of wellbeing. According to Wiking, this can simply be by just adding to your environment. This was an a-ha moment for me because I can think of certain environments that automatically bring me a sense of peace to the extent that I can feel my breath slow and my shoulders relax.
Comfortable and Uplifting Environments
- The Beach
- Disney World
- Holiday Lights
- Mountain Views
You get the picture. What I have gleaned from Wiking’s book, so far, is that hygge is about finding little ways to create a sanctuary or add some light (figuratively and literally) to our lives. I wanted to share some ideas based on this culture and concept.
Tips for Creating Coziness and Comfort
Atmosphere – Lighting and Music
This is a big one for hygge. As teachers, we are bombarded with harsh lighting in our schools. If you are fortunate enough to have windows in your classroom, please open those shades and let in the natural light. It will do wonders for you. I for one have always enjoyed putting some lamps in my room so that my students and I can take a break from the halogen lights and have something a little softer illuminating our environment. I also hang up some white holiday lights all year round for a little bit of sparkle.
Music –
For a lot of people, music can reduce anxiety or flat out adjust a mood. Depending on what you are working on in your classroom, try out some tunes. I always enjoy having a blue tooth speaker in my room for certain days when music would add to the ambience, and my students would fight over who would be the DJ for the class period.
Pleasure – Treat yourself
Sometimes we just need to treat ourselves. This is why we have comfort food. Go ahead and treat yourself after some hard work to a favorite coffee, a pasta dinner, or brownies for dessert. I always find comfort in recreating meals that are a family tradition. It brings me back to my childhood and reminds me of happy times.
Shelter – Backgrounds, Create a place of comfort
Lately, backgrounds have become virtual. I think it can be fun to choose a background that makes me feel like I have been transported there. I love plopping myself into an attraction at Walt Disney World or on a white sandy beach. You can even ask your students to participate with some kind of theme. In the wintertime, I always like to project the looped video of a fireplace. It just adds a sense of comfort. Every now and again, I jokingly ask a student to throw another log onto the fire. 😊
Comfort – Relax or get comfy
If you have a Spirit Week at your school, you either love it or hate. I always found it fun to get into the spirit and it usually brought on some great togetherness (another part of the hygge manifesto) with students and colleagues. The favorite days was hands down pajama day, and I think that is because it brought a little bit of comfort to the day. I also think this idea of feeling comfortable or relaxed is seen when teachers are offered jeans day. I put on my favorite spirit wear sweatshirt because it feels like a hug with my jeans and Disney themed Van sneakers. Best day ever!
Equality – We over me
Now more than ever, we have got to share “tasks and airtime”. Open the floor at your lesson plans or PLC (Professional Learning Community) so that different voices and opinions are heard. You might hear a little nugget of wisdom or open your mind to a new concept. Tackle those big tasks or the little ones together. There are too many moving parts in a teacher’s and educational leader’s day so help each other out. You will feel better for it.
I hope you might try one item on the list to bring a little hygge to your life. I have certainly found my happiness increase by just adding a little bit of things that bring me joy to my daily life. Well that’s it for now, I need to go light some candles and burrow under a cozy blanket.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
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