This week’s book suggestion is the interesting book entitled ‘
The Year of Living Danishly’ Uncovering the secrets of the World’s Happiest Country by Helen Russell.
I stumbled on this book in a second-hand shop and wanted to learn more about the concept of Hygge and a country I knew little about.
Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish word used to describe a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, ordinary or extraordinary as comforting, cozy and convivial and is concerned with feelings of wellness and contentment. Until a few years ago Denmark was considered the happiest country in the world. Finland has now taken the title with Denmark in second place
“Hygge is a practice related to how we create and preserve meaning in the places we inhabit, how we make homes that comfort us and bring us together....then we begin to really inhabit a place or a moment in time and open ourselves to what it has to give.” Louisa Thomsen Brits
The book describes with humour and poignancy the research by Helen about what makes the Danes a happy nation and the attempts of Helen and husband to integrate into Danish life.
Covering all aspects of life; childcare, education, food, interior design, socialising, taxes... Helen reflects on what the Danes get right and where there is room for improvement or a different approach and how we might all live a little more 'Danishly' ourselves with practical tips on how we can create a happier environment around us.
‘A lovely mix of English sensibility and Danish pragmatism’ Sandi Toksvig
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