Adding a Bit of Hygge to my Spoonie Summer

Talking about hygge? In summer?

For those who don’t know about hygge, it is a Danish concept that, according to Country Living,

cannot be translated to one single word but encompasses a feeling of cosy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.

Pronounced as ‘hoo-ga’, it is traditionally associated with the colder months, often linked to enjoying time with friends and family around the fire, warming drinks and cosy interiors.

I’m a Spoonie and I Need Hygge!

As life with my chronic illness (Multiple Sclerosis) has become more challenging, I have had to adjust my lifestyle in order to adapt to my changing health needs.  Majorly changing my work patterns, intense medical treatments and daily fatigue are just some of the ways my life has changed; it is now all about enjoying the ‘simple things’, as the quote above describes.  I can no longer use my energy for exhausting days out without paying the price for days on end. As a spoonie, I need hygge in my life to help my mental and physical health… at all times of the year!

Hygge… In the Summer?

Well, yes, actually.  If the concept of hygge is all about feeling contented and using the simple things in life in order to cultivate a sense of well-being, why can’t this happen in summer? I guess it is a case of taking the emphasis off of enjoying those cold-weather treats and, instead, thinking how we can use the experiences we have in the warmer months in order to obtain that same hygge feeling of contentedness.

How to Cultivate the Hygge Feeling in Summer

So, how to get that hygge feeling even in the warm summer months? If you live in the UK like me, there still might be the opportunity to divulge in some traditionally colder weather hygge treats, such as cosy blankets, comforting foods and hot drinks – the weather can be unpredictable, after all. But if you are blessed with warmer weather or you are away on your hols, the ideas below will hopefully give you that feel-good cosy hygge feeling, even if you are a spoonie with limited energy or mobility:

• BBQs with friends and family – toasting marshmallows over fires

• Picnics with friends and family
• Putting a blanket in the shade and sitting outside in your garden
• Enjoying your morning cup of coffee outside/with the garden door open – or a cold G&T in the afternoon!

• Filling your house with fresh-smelling candles – I love my Primark one that smells of fresh cotton, my Diptique ‘special’ floral candle and the Jo Malone dupes you can get from Aldi
• Fresh washing on your washing line outside
• Flowers on the table – I love peonies and stocks

• Savouring a massive plate full of fresh summer fruit – watermelon, ripe peaches, strawberries and raspberries
• Enjoying nature walks (or scoots, in my case!) with the family
• Meditating in the sunshine
• Going to outdoor concerts or movies somewhere near to home
• Eating and drinking outside in the garden – keeping it cosy with throw cushions, fairy lights and citronella candles
• Using colour to bring you joy – pops of colour on clothes, flowers, teatowels and light throws that help to keep you comfy on the sofa
• Listening to a self-care playlist – I ask my Amazon echo to play relaxing piano music or, for something a bit more uptempo, I listen to my playlist for positivity
• Bringing the outside in with loads of greenery around the house – faux greenery works just as well as fresh and needs much less effort to maintain!
• Reading a new book or magazine in the shade

Photo by Marcos Gabarda on Unsplash

• Enjoying game nights with the family – our favourites include Dobble and Bananagrams. These games are also great for playing in a beer garden or for taking on holiday
• Switch off – Challenge yourself to have a few days away from your laptop and phone and then feel the effects of being more productive and resting your brain

As someone with a chronic illness, a little bit of hygge is something that I need at all times, not just in winter.

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How do you invite a little bit of summer hygge into your spoonie life? I’d love to hear 🙂 Keep cool and enjoy the warm weather!

Till next time