Parenting expert Jennie Johnson says we should bring a little hygge to our children’s lives this autumn
You may have heard the Danish refer to the warm, comfortable and cosy feeling as ‘hygge’ (pronounced hoo-gah) and autumn can be the epitome of hygge. Here's how you how to embrace that warm, cosy, feel-good feeling with your little ones this season.
“Hygge is about an atmosphere and experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.” Meik Wiking
Get outside
One of life's simple pleasures is watching the world turn from bright greens to burnt yellows, rich reds and deep browns. Being outside is a great way to find calm and comfort in our busy lives and it also provides the same comfort to our children. The reason for this is that the outdoors stimulates our senses and reduces our blood pressure and stress.
While out and about with your child, why not think of five things you can see, four things you can feel, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste? Doing this mindfulness exercise which engages the senses while you are out allows you to become more connected with your body.
Get cosy at home
While the darker nights are not everyone's cup of tea, they’re the perfect excuse to get calm and cosy at home. You can do this by adding some blankets to the sofa, extra throws on the bed and candles around the bath. You can also get creative in the kitchen and bake some yummy treats to make you feel a bit hygge at home.
While we know how to make spaces feel cosy and comfortable for us, how can we do it for our children?
Why not create a Zen den for them? This could be done with:
Large box
Teepee
Material over chairs
Material over a large umbrella
And extras such cushions, rugs and blankets. You can even add holes in the material for stars or fairy lights (make sure it's safe for your baby and they’re never left unattended)
Bring hygge to your wardrobe
Put all your summer clothes into a box, and makeover your wardrobe with warm jumpers, warm socks and anything else you can find! You can do the same to your child’s wardrobe and if they need any new pieces for autumn/winter, why not think about buying second-hand rather than new?
Top tips for having more Hygge moments
When trying to add more hygge moments to your life, our top tip is to think of the senses and use them as a springboard to making your home and experiences calmer and more in tune with the season.
Sight – Think about the lights you have in your house. Which ones do you put on when you want to feel cosy? Which makes you feel relaxed?
Smell – Smell helps to trigger memory and different smells can impact our mood. Home-cooked food, the smell of a crisp morning, a candle or fire can all impact our mood.
Sound – Sound can really be a great way to create a calm atmosphere. Why not ‘ask Alexa’ to play some rain sounds as you prepare your child for bed?
Taste – Eating warm, cosy, seasonal food is great for a true hygge moment. So, treat yourself and the family to apple pies, custard and whatever else screams autumn to you.
Jennie Johnson is co-founder of parenting app My First Five Years, mffy.com
