Hygge is a Danish term which reflects a lifestyle of coziness, comfort and closeness with family and friends. Although the term is commonly associated with a cold-weather lifestyle, the art of hygge can be practiced and enjoyed in all seasons. Here are some tips for enjoying a comfortable summer by embracing the art of Hygge!
Enjoy the summer where comfort and JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) are the priority!
- Disconnect and Unplug - When we are able to put away our devices and experience connecting with our surroundings, our humanity returns. We are more able to create definitive moments with others through conversation, forming meaningful relationships based not on how many "likes" one has, but finding what we have in common. Try to avoid photographing every single moment of the day, and simply embrace whatever happens, keeping the event in your memory only. Even if it is for a couple of hours, putting away the phone gives you the freedom of being disconnected from the noise of social media and the stresses of today's world.
- Connect with Nature - what better time to get outside than when the weather is warm and there is plenty of sunshine and daylight? Enjoy going for walks, or schedule time to be outside instead of the gym for your workouts. A great opportunity to take in the local plant life awaits at botanical gardens, where you can quietly walk through beautiful gardens and mini-forests, or just find a bench to sit and ponder among the green trees and babbling ponds.
- Have an Outdoor Movie Night - All you need are a few blankets, pillows and a backyard projector. This projector is Amazon's Choice for the under $100 category. Use a white sheet on the wall for a movie screen, or go state of the art with this pop-up movie screen from Home Depot. Don't forget to include the snacks! Make popcorn with an air-popper and give everyone a choice of seasonings; provide cool beverages and additional snack favorites in fun treat boxes for that movie theatre feel!
-Get Away or Just Stay - Vacations do not have to be elaborate or expensive. Camping with the family is a fun way to get away from the house while enjoying the great outdoors. Or simply make home the ultimate destination! After the seasonal deep clean, give the house a sprucing up to create a BnB atmosphere by setting out fresh flowers throughout. Adorn the house with candles and string lights to create an elegant ambiance, and invite friends and family over for an elegant farm to table dinner in the yard. Arrange a stack of white towels in the bathroom and white linens on the beds, and enjoy a luxurious breakfast in bed on a tray with fresh fruit, croissants and coffee...five star style right at home!
-Make Cool Things to Sip - Pouring an ice cold beverage to enjoy is one of my favorite parts of summer, along with creating a signature drink to serve to guests when entertaining. I also love to make sun tea by setting out our big glass dispenser in the morning and bringing in the naturally brewed tea to bottle in the afternoon. Harney and Sons has so many flavors to choose from; from full-bodied black tea to their light and flavorful iced tea bags. Sun tea is so delicious that it needs no sugar, only ice and a straw!
- Do Some Gardening - You do not have to plant endless crops of vegetables to savor the joy of gardening. Start simple by choosing some of your favorite things to grow in a container garden or easy-to-make raised beds. Paint a few rocks, or make a ribbon garland out of old rags or fabric to decorate. Or if you are in for a summer DIY, refurbish an old piece of furniture to make a potting bench. You can get instructions on my YouTube channel by clicking here. Each and every day, you will see the beautiful transformation of the things you have planted only to be rewarded with a harvest as the summer ends.
- Make Ice Cream - Nothing says summer more than the cool, soothing taste of ice cream that makes the heat bearable. While there are myriad of flavors available in the store and in parlours, making your own can be a lot of fun and way more delicious!
- Spend an Evening with the Arts - Whether getting dressed up for a night on the town, or just creating a playlist of your favorite summer tunes, experiencing artistic creativity provides peace and inspiration. Visit a museum, or go to a concert, ballet or theatrical performance. Music festivals are everywhere this season where you can grab a blanket and enjoy an evening under the stars. Or create your own art; experiment with watercolor or sidewalk chalk, or string beads to make your own beautiful jewelry. The sky is the limit when it comes to exploring our creative side!
 |
| Visit the Broad Museum in Downtown Los Angeles! |
-Visit the Beach - The beautiful waves, the warm sand and encountering marine life screams SUMMER! Make it a point to go during off-hours to avoid the crowds, and remember to take sunscreen.
-Read - If there was ever a time to catch up on that book you started last winter, summer provides plenty opportunity. Let the day slowly pass with a glass of iced tea under a tree, by the water or in a hammock and get acquainted with new characters and far-away lands.
-Nap...A Lot - Beat the heat indoors while keeping cool, taking the time to snooze beneath the fan or in an air-conditioned room. Indulge in one long nap or check out for a few naps during the day. Spending an hour or two during the day in quiet brings peace and relaxation to mind and body.
-Enjoy Friends and Family - Whatever you do, take the time to be grateful for all of your good fortunes and spend time with friends and family. Hygge is truly about enjoying the beautiful, simple things in life, and stopping to appreciate all that each season has to offer.
What do you do to slow down and savor during the Summer months? Share your ideas below!
No comments
Post a Comment