Chateau is pleased to share guest-blogger Hedge Witch Botanicals’ mindfulness tips to create a “hygge” home.
I love the mist and cool winds of autumn, and I look forward the sparkling snow of winter, but like approximately 3 million other Americans, I suffer from seasonal affective disorder and yearly I find myself struggling with the decreased daylight hours. (source)
I manage this in a variety of ways,* but one mindfulness approach that I have found particularly supportive is hygge, a Danish concept that has no direct English translation, but is best described as “a quality of cosiness [sic] and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Like the trend of “romanticizing your life” or a way of practicing mindfulness, hygge is “a practical way of creating sanctuary in the middle of very real life.” (source)
Call it what you will, but as we head into the darker months of the year, I am fortifying myself with these small acts of enchantment. One simple thing that always feels hygge to me is burning candles— I especially love pure beeswax candles, as they burn cleanly and remove toxins as they ionize the air. While I often light a few in whatever room I occupy in the evenings (a few tea lights around the living room makes Netflix-and-chilling feel so much more cozy!), I also like to light a single candle for a specific task. I have a votive by the sink for when I wash dishes, and another in the bathroom that I light when I’m getting ready for work in the mornings. Even if it is only a 15 minute task, I find that consciously adding an element of joy and beauty helps me center myself and take pleasure in the moment.
Find 100% pure beeswax candles at Chateau, in a variety of taper lengths, pillars, votives, tea lights, and birthday candle sizes, and light up your winter!
*Please note: I am not a medical/mental health provider, and hygge is not a substitute for adequate mental healthcare. Should you require medical/mental health assistance, please seek a licensed professional. If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.