This past year, there’s been no shortage of excitement. A pandemic and social unrest, among other things, have made it seem like we’ve lived through a lifetime of historical events within a mere 365 days. In other words, the world has been going through it, and college students are no exception. 

With stay-at-home orders in place, many schools have made the switch to distance learning. For some students, that’s meant leaving campus and attending Zoom university from home. For others, going to school during coronavirus has meant hunkering down in dorm rooms, not leaving for so much as a dining hall meal. 

Right now, a new year and semester are upon us. And suppose you’re going back to campus. In that case, it makes sense to feel the need for some protective cushioning when returning to the residence hall. 

The fact is, in-person lectures probably aren’t happening just yet, which means you’ll be spending a lot of time in your room. In 2020, our homes became more important than ever, and for good reason. It’s where we eat, sleep, and unwind. Heck, it’s where we’ve been spending the most time. So, why not carry that sentiment into 2021?

After everything we made it through in 2020, we deserve some comfort. With that, we can’t think of a better way to invest in ourselves than adding an extra dose of warmth to our rooms. And for such a heavy-duty energetic overhaul, we’re pulling out the big guns--hygge. Keep reading for--

• An overview of the hygge lifestyle
• Why it’s important to feel comfortable in your space
• How to implement the hygge way into your dorm decor
  

What Is Hygge And Where Has It Been All Our Lives?

“Why Can’t I Relax?”

Here in America, stress is our middle name. Here, we’ve learned to not only value but live by a code of non-stop hustle and an insatiable hunger for more--whatever that means to you. Of course, this isn’t to say that ambition accompanied by a can-do attitude is a bad thing. But is it possible that we’ve taken it too far? 

In 2020, so many of us have been forced to slow down--probably for the first time in a while. And even though plenty of us were working through burnout pre-pandemic, it wouldn’t be surprising if acclimating to a break in our grueling schedules proved difficult. Why is that?

Much of our lives are inundated with pressure--from work, school, etc. Combined with an environment that values achievement over health, it makes it hard to relax. So much so that when we try, we struggle to let go. Or worse, we feel guilty.

Do As The Danes Do

We would do well to take a page out of the Danes’ book, specifically where they talk about Hygge. 

What Is It?

Pronounced HOO-gah, this Scandanavian concept describes a quality of comfortability and coziness. Sounds lovely, right? Well, that’s because it is. And wait, there’s more. 

Hygge isn’t just a describing word--it’s an action. It’s not creating space for those positive feelings. Think of having your favorite warming drink or lighting some scented candles--everything that brings up that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Hygge Or Self-Care?

Self-care has become somewhat of a buzzword in the past couple of years. It’s associated with getting our nails done, treating ourselves to a bubble bath, and having that extra glass of wine. The difference between our definition of self-care and hygge is how we use it. 

Often, we use self-care to self-soothe, which isn’t bad. We all go through tough times, and knowing how to show ourselves some love in those moments is an essential skill. Still, we may find that our need to use self-care would diminish if we added joy to our daily to-do lists. 

According to the 2016 Happiness Report, Denmark proved to be the happiest nation on the globe. Could Hygge have something to do with it? We think so. 

In Denmark, hygge is a way of life--a daily cultural practice. By making comfort and contentment a priority, it becomes a preventative measure for things like burnout and anxiety. 

How Does One Hygge?

If you tend to get bogged down by all of the priorities you’ve got on your plate, making room, even for something as soothing as hygge, might be difficult. Maybe you don’t have the mental space for it yet, and that’s okay--2020 has been quite a year. 

Start by taking an inventory of small changes you can make to unwind. Even if just for a few minutes per day. Read a passage from your favorite book on your way to school, or, if you find yourself at home, wear something that ups your comfort level. Before you know it, you’ll be a hygge expert!

A Hygge Room Is A Happy Room

Ever walk into a room and feel instantly comfortable? Have you had that feeling more than once? There are probably a few things each space coming to mind has in common.

They’re Neat And Clean

Unless a space is our own, we rarely feel at ease in chaotic environments. There’s a reason for that! Numerous studies have shown a space’s organization level to be a good predictor of health, both physically and mentally. 

Messy rooms not only allow for contaminants, like dust but have a lot of excess visual stimulation. Piles of clothing, old papers, and an unmade bed add a barrier to focusing. Even if you keep your work and living space separate, the clutter is likely to make you feel uneasy. 

They Have A Similar Color Scheme

Whether you’re the type of person who wears black every day or loves a pop of color, there’s no doubt that the shades you surround yourself with affect your mood. In fact, there’s a whole branch of psychology dedicated to it.

According to its findings, greens, blues, and neutrals are the way to go when trying to reach peak coziness. Bright colors like orange, yellow, and red are suitable for adding accents, but not painting your walls with the stuff.

Your wall-color isn’t a call you make when it comes to your dorm room. But luckily, most universities decide on white--a clean slate for you to decorate as you please (within reason). 

So if you plan on shopping around for something new for your room, keep the color wheel in mind. 

The Lighting Is On Point

If color, an expression of light, can impact our mood, just think of how much of an effect our lamps, windows, and overheads have! Here’s what you need to know--

Natural Lighting

If you’ve ever watched HGTV, you’re probably no stranger to potential buyers marveling at any semblance of natural light. Aside from looking nice, natural light aids in serotonin production, the mood-stabilizing hormone. This sort of light even helps regulate circadian rhythm, deciding when to wind down a simple decision. 

If you’ve been blessed with big windows and a nice view, draw back the curtains once in a while. Whether you’re watching the sunshine or rain on the windowpane, it’s a good start to easing into hygge, naturally.

Ambient Lighting

Similar to the way natural light energizes us, ambient light soothes us. The perfect compromise between daylight and darkness, this glow creates an atmosphere of relaxation,

When we think of ambient lighting, candles are what typically come to mind, either in the scented variety or not. However, if you live in a dorm, they might be against code. But not to worry. Whether by dimmer switch or nightlight (no judgment), there are other ways of mimicking that soft, flickering tone. 

How To Make Your Dorm Into A Hygge-Inspired Haven

An Abundance Of Blankets

Wrapping yourself in a blanket burrito isn’t just for kids--if that’s what makes you feel content and cozy, it’s hygge-approved. For something as chic as it is comfy, a handwoven throw is an excellent choice.

Some Lighting To Wind Down The Mood

Remember when we spoke about ambient lighting? Us too. For the essential hygge decor, this is key. Don’t let those dorm fluorescents get you down. For a whimsical feel that doubles as a display, go ahead and hang some LED hanging clips.

Something Soft Ground To Stand On

If we could take a wild guess, we’d bet the floor of your dorm room isn’t carpet or wood. Don’t let those piggies get cold. Instead, get a rug that’ll liven up the place and warm your feet!

Whether you need an excuse or not, starting this year off with an extra dose of comfort is understandable. Things haven’t been easy, but we’re looking to go in as the best versions of ourselves with the new year already here. And unlike all of your run-of-the-mill resolutions, we don’t mean working out more and eating cleanly. 

The best part about hygge is that it enables us to show up for ourselves daily so that we can show up for other priorities. It all starts when our environment, so if there’s something you can do to make your room conducive to it, go for it! No matter where you’re coming into 2021 from, just make sure you practice some gentleness along the way.