AYURVEDA WITH A DASH OF HYGGE

For those of us in the Northern hemisphere November brings with it cooler temperatures and shorter days, signs we are on route to winter. I mostly enjoy the change in seasons, it is a natural rhythm that can be embraced with acceptance. The transitional seasons, Spring and Autumn are my favourite. No extremes of hot or cold!

Living an Ayurvedic lifestyle is about aligning with nature, honouring the changes around us and remaining in balance. Nourishing our mind, body and sound to maintain good health. Since living an Ayurvedic lifestyle I have felt energised and at ease. So as winter approaches I feel the annual pull towards everything Hygge (pronounced “Hooga”), the Scandinavian art of living. I love my Ayurvedic lifestyle and I do not want to aggravate my digestion or upset my rhythm and balance however I would love to sprinkle it with a good dose of Hygge this winter. Can we experience both Ayurveda and Hygge without causing imbalance?

So what is Hygge? It can be tricky to define as it is more of an approach than a definition. Hygge is about embracing nature, it is about living a simple yet joyful life and it is also about nourishment (I am already feeling a correlation with Ayurveda already!). Hygge is comforting, bringing friends and family together to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Ayurvedic wisdom teaches us to align ourselves with the natural cycle of life and adjusting to our environment. Looking at some key elements of Hygge I have compared these to the four pillars of health which forms the foundation of Ayurveda. The four pillars of health are:

1. Diet

2. Lifestyle

3. Sleep

4. Management of energy

By taking care of these four pillars we stay in balance and live with optimal health and wellbeing. Let’s look at how you can incorporate some Hygge without upsetting that balance.

Enjoying the simple pleasures in life is most definitely Ayurvedic and Hygge. So what does this look like for me?

Food - Hygge meal times evoke images of family and friends gathered around a table eating comforting meals. Ayurveda views meals as a sacred act, a time to nourish your body and mind. While meals should be eaten mindfully and in peaceful surroundings there is room for family meals where everyone is gathered around the table.

Tips

• Remain mindful while eating, do not overeat – one bowl or plate of food is enough. Your digestive system will not appreciate overindulgence! Hygge is not about overindulgence either, it is about the experience of sharing a meal and about gratitude

• Remember to chew your food properly, essential for optimal digestion

• Keep conversation lighthearted – this is not a time for weighty issues to be discussed

• Savour your food, too many distractions can lead to energy being taken away from the digestive process

Both Hygge and Ayurvedic meals have a simple approach, neither one is about fancy dishes or spending hours in the kitchen preparing. Keep focussed on whole foods, cooked simply and you can’t go wrong. There are a few things that Hygge is associated with that are not aligned with Ayurveda and I will still avoid eating processed sugary treats, pickles/fermented foods, alcohol and hot chocolate. There are some good replacements, homemade ‘treats’, warming herbal teas, an Ayurvedic latte, golden milk or spiced milk.

I do love having our table full of people enjoying good food, while most of my meals are taken in a peaceful setting, the occasional full-on gathering is good for the soul. Remaining mindful at this time will avoid compromising my digestion.

Lifestyle - Slowing down to appreciate what we have is very much a Hygge and Ayurvedic thing. Modern life can be chaotic and busy, we find ourselves pulled in all directions and end up feeling frazzled and not fully enjoying our experiences.

Taking time out for ourselves during the day to pause, breathe and take in the moment can be seen as unproductive through a modern lens but it really should be part of everyone’s day. Just 5-10 minutes daily will reap rewards for your mental wellbeing. Consistency is key but perfection is not required. The concept of acceptance and not feeling guilty is also very Hygge and Ayurvedic!

Our environment also plays an important role in our health and wellbeing. If you have seen the glossy magazine shots of Scandinavian homes they are full of natural materials with plenty of light (and yes plenty of candles – just make sure they are non toxic and the room is well ventilated). From an Ayurvedic perspective this aligns beautifully, a clean uncluttered space which allows energy to flow freely is ideal. So, I am thinking plants, books, natural materials and a few candles…oh and don’t forget the cosy blankets for winter!!

Exercise and the great outdoors are key to living a Hygge life, the Scandinavians have this down to a fine art even in the winter months, often venturing outdoors for a walk in nature, a bike ride, skating or skiing. The benefits of fresh air and being in nature are well documented. Embracing nature and all it has to offer, Scandinavians prefer the outdoors to a stuffy, artificially lit gym. They exercise to feel alive!

‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’ – Alfred Wainwright

This is completely aligned with an Ayurvedic lifestyle. Daily exercise and movement are integral to health and longevity. As above in Alfred Wainwright’s quote appropriate clothing is advisable! To avoid aggravating Vata dosha you should protect your ears from the wind with a hat or earmuffs. It is also a nice idea to keep the back of your neck warm with a scarf. For those of us in the Northern hemisphere these are mostly standard issue for the winter months!

Gardening is also very Hygge, what could be more self-sufficient and sustainable? Ayurveda’s principle of eating fresh whole food is even more rewarding when you have grown the food yourself. Getting outside to garden is known for its health benefits, growing your own food is a double win.

Mostly Hygge is an attitude towards life, it is not about perfection and it is not about rules. It is about acceptance and being happy with what you have in life. Making the most of what we have is very typical of Hygge, acceptance is also a key concept in Ayurveda. Neither are about materialism and consumerism.

Sleep – with darker morning and evenings plus cooler temperatures some find sleeping easier at this time of year. A key principle of Ayurveda is consistency. It can be tempting to sleep in, particularly at the weekend. It is important to maintain a routine so I will continue to wake up at the same time every day.

The temptation of a cosy bed is real and it is not always inviting to get out of bed at 6am on a dark cold morning but I know my morning routine is important to me and sets me up for the day. There is something special about the quiet energy in the morning. I remind myself that I can have a warm cup of water and that using a blanket and cosy socks I can enjoy my morning pranayama and meditation. I am by default adding a little Hygge to my morning routine.

Management of Energy – Brahmacharya is specifically related to your sexual energy. When sexual energy is not used for procreation and enjoyment it should be transformed into spiritual energy to raise your consciousness and spiritual awareness.

While there is no apparent correlation here to anything Hygge my view is that working on your spiritual practice is in itself an investment in your overall wellbeing and something that shouldn’t be underestimated or overlooked. Hygge is mostly an approach and an attitude towards life and by raising your consciousness you are walking a path to greater being.

In summary Hygge and Ayurveda together are about:

• Simplicity

• Honouring the seasons

• Nourishing foods

• Warm drinks (no coffee!)

• Nature and fresh air

• Slowing down and taking a pause

• Natural materials

• Clean, uncluttered living space

• Rituals

• Enjoying the company of friends and family

• Energy and movement

• Acceptance and not feeling guilty

• Gratitude

• Contentment

I can look forward to enjoying this winter with plenty of Hygge without any negative impact. As long as I remain mindful of my choices, I can add a good dose of cosiness to my daily routine. Mostly it will be about living in the moment, adjusting to my environment and living according to nature. I don’t want to wish my life away so I will enjoy everything about the coming winter months. Time to find those woolly socks….

PS. Don't forget the candles (non-toxic of course), fairy lights and lots of blankets !!