???? Denmark is happy by design

When Helen Russell first landed in Denmark from the UK in December 2013, she was greeted by a sign that looked something like this…

Why is Denmark consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world? And more importantly, what can we take away from happy Danish life to make our own lives happier? These are the questions that Helen Russell explores in her entertaining book,?The Year of Living Danishly.

Russell discovered that the foundation of Denmark’s happiness is built on?trust. Danes trust each other and their institutions, therefore they’re happy to fork over a significant chunk of their earnings in taxes, trusting that the government will spend their krones well for the collective good.

Yes, but happiness that comes from a high level of trust isn’t very helpful for the rest of the world that, for the most part, isn’t very trusting.

Since Denmark is the home of Lego, let’s look at another key building block of Danish happiness.

Denmark has become synonymous with hygge, (pronounced hoo-gah) what Helen Russell’s cultural integration coach Pernille Chaggar defines as “cozy time.” Hygge is more a cozy concept (for example a bakery is hygge, and dinner with friends is hygge) than a particular place, but it’s most often found at home — a tidy home with an eye to good design. And hygge is often bathed in the warm glow of candles. Lots of candles. Danes are the world’s largest per capita consumers of candles.?

?? The big idea: You can add to your happiness by designing your surroundings for hygge.

“Denmark is very much a design society.” Anne-Louise Sommer, director of the Design Museum Denmark?

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In the 1920’s, the Danish government recognized that design was important to wellbeing. Homes, neighborhoods, public spaces, even the surroundings of children in school, everything in Denmark is designed with care to be aesthetically pleasing, and to maximize happiness.

Embedded in Danish culture is the idea that functional yet beautiful design is essential to realizing the good life. 50 percent of Danes have at least one lamp from Danish designer Poul Henningson, and most are familiar with the work of Danish architect and furniture designer Arne Jacobsen.

?? Research backs up the Danish emphasis on quality design. A 2011 University College London study found that looking at something beautiful makes us happier, and can even stimulate the same brain activity as we experience when we’re in love.?

??Do it now: Take one small piece of your world, and design it for hygge.??

My experience with hygge: My work area was overcrowded with books and papers and purses and was not at all hygge. Simply clearing the clutter, emphasizing the items that are most meaningful to me, and of course adding a candle, was instantly calming. Now when I stand at my desk, I’m basking in hygge. I’m in love.

The bottom line: “To my mind, there is a clear relationship between your aesthetic environment and how you feel.” - Anne-Louise Sommer

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I’ll be getting hygge over the holiday season. The 5-Minute Recharge will return to in January.

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Dive Deeper into Danish happiness:

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• Curl up in your coziest candlelit nook with Helen Russell's The Year of Living Danishly.
• Here's a Happiness Lab interview with Helen Russell?on the topic of moving to your happy place.

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??Get a quick recharge from these articles from around the web:

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??Laura Vanderkam knows that the best way to make this holiday season memorable is to plan little adventures.

?? Everything you know about stress and high blood pressure is wrong (Axios)

?? We’re all capable of goblin mode (The Atlantic)

??This is how you should be spending your lunch break (Fast Company)

?? Meet the New Luddites, teenagers who are ditching their phones to experience life IRL (in the real world) (Cal Newport)

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The Recharge Quote of the Week is from Ezra Klein who yearns for less talk and more reflection:

Wishing you a holiday season of rest, reflection, and connection...and candles, lots of candles,

Lynne