7 Worldwide Practices that Encourage Consolation and Connection

Notice: This text on consolation and connection is written by contributing author, Tammy Strobel.

Have you ever skilled guilt over taking breaks, spending time with pals, or prioritizing your well-being? In case your reply is sure, you’re not alone. As an illustration, I nonetheless really feel responsible for working part-time as an alternative of full-time. This isn’t logical as a result of I simplified my life in order that I might work much less. This 12 months, I’m making a aware effort to embrace practices that promote consolation, connection, and contentment.

Curiously, pals who reside in several elements of the world, like Spain and Portugal, have shared that the cultural way of living varies considerably from the USA. In these locations, individuals take time to rejoice holidays and relish easy pleasures. Conversely, within the U.S., many employees don’t make the most of all their trip time, and a few, like myself, really feel responsible for opting to work fewer hours.

These reflections led me to discover practices embraced in different elements of the world. On this article, I’ll share practices from completely different nations – just like the Danish idea of Hygge and the Swedish philosophy of Lagom – that encourage relaxation, fostering consolation and reference to family members, and coziness. All through this text, you’ll discover tiny steps you could incorporate into your routine. Choose a couple of of those tricks to infuse pleasure into your every day life and, most significantly, have enjoyable!

1. Hygge (Denmark): The Artwork of Coziness

Meik Wiking, the creator of The Little E book of Hygge: Danish Secrets and techniques To Blissful Residing, shared with SELF that “hygge has been referred to as every part from ‘the artwork of making intimacy’ to ‘coziness of the soul,’ and even ‘cocoa by candlelight.’” I completely adore this idea! There’s one thing magical about turning the thermostat up a couple of levels and snuggling on the sofa with my cat, husband, and a superb guide. Having a cup of sizzling espresso by my facet elevates these easy pleasures, making them much more significant. 

Tiny steps to search out connection and luxury with Hygge

• Savor easy pleasures like sizzling drinks, candy treats, watching films, and extra. 






• Gentle candles, flip the lights down, put in your favourite lounge put on, and snuggle up with a tender blanket. 






• Give attention to being within the second so that you could relaxation and chill out with family members.

2. Fika (Sweden): Espresso Breaks & Connections 

Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall wrote a beautiful guide referred to as Fika: The Artwork of the Swedish Espresso Break. They clarify, “Functioning as each a verb and a noun, the idea of fika is straightforward. It’s the second that you simply take a break, usually with a cup of espresso, however alternatively with tea, and discover a baked good to pair with it. You are able to do it alone, you are able to do it with pals. You are able to do it at dwelling, in a park or at work. However the important factor is that you simply do it, that you simply make time to take a break: that’s what fika is all about.”

In essence fika is greater than a espresso break. It offers individuals a second to decelerate, chill out, get pleasure from significant conversations, and savor easy pleasures.

Tiny Steps to get pleasure from Fika

• Join with colleagues, pals, or household by taking common espresso or tea breaks.






• Pair your espresso with candy treats like cake or cookies.






• Use Fika as a method to decelerate and chill out.

3. Lagom (Sweden): Simply Sufficient

Lagom is a Swedish precept that interprets to “simply sufficient” or “simply the correct amount.” Author and thinker Jonny Thomson explains lagom as, “understanding when sufficient is sufficient, and looking for stability and moderation slightly than always greedy for extra. Lagom is that feeling of contentment all of us get when we now have all that we have to make us comfy. It’s neither a millionaire’s splurge in Vegas, nor a pauper’s chilly winter night time. It means having a roof over your head, meals in your stomach, pals at your again, and cash — simply sufficient cash — in your pockets. If Goldilocks had a catchphrase, it will be ‘let’s lagom this bear home.’”

Lagom jogs my memory of lots of the concepts related to easy dwelling like embracing easy pleasures and understanding how a lot is sufficient. For instance, my husband and I lived in a tiny home for roughly 5 years. We outgrew our little home, although. We wished a house that had more room for entertaining and cooking. Now we reside in a two-bedroom house, and that’s “simply sufficient” area for us. 

Tiny Steps to search out consolation and reference to Lagom

• Goal for contentment in work, train, social meet-ups, and extra. 






• Embrace simplicity and “sufficient” in every day dwelling.






• Foster equality and equity in relationships and communities.

4. Gluggaveður (Iceland): Window Climate Wonders

“The Icelandic phrase gluggaveður, which interprets as ‘window-weather’, refers to climate that’s good to look at out of your window, however much less fulfilling while you’re outdoors. The wet day while you sip a cup of tea listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, the howling wind shaking bushes outdoors as you watch from the protection of the kitchen desk,” says author Julia Barbosa.

Unknowingly, I engaged in gluggaveður final weekend. I sat on the sofa and watched the rainfall and the clouds race by. Then I blended some hygge into the day. I placed on tender lounge put on, pulled out a blanket, and napped on the sofa. After I awoke, I continued to look at the climate from the window whereas ingesting a sizzling cup of tea. It was pleasant! 

Tiny Steps to embrace gluggaveður

• Recognize the fantastic thing about rain, snow, and winter landscapes by means of home windows.






• Unplug and comfy up with a tea or espresso.

5. Ikigai (Japan): Discovering Function and Pleasure

Ikigai – a Japanese phrase and philosophy – encompasses components that carry objective and pleasure into individuals’s lives. Author and thinker Jeffrey Gaines explains that ikigai brings success to people. Additionally, it might contribute to the nice of others by prioritizing social connections and doing significant work.

“For instance, if I’m captivated with disaster counseling, am additionally expert at it, there’s a want for it in my world on the time, and I’ve a number of job gives on this area, I’d say I’ve discovered my ikigai candy spot,” says Gaines. The thought behind ikigai is to carry collectively “what you like to do, what you might be good at, what the world wants, and what you could be paid for.” 

Tiny Steps to encourage consolation and reference to ikigai.

• Uncover your “Ikigai” by brainstorming what brings you pleasure and objective. 






• Interact in actions that foster social connection like sports activities, gardening, attending group occasions, and extra. 

6. Ubuntu (Africa): I Am As a result of We Are

Wikipedia highlights that there are “many alternative (and never all the time appropriate) definitions of what Ubuntu is. Even with the varied definitions, Ubuntu encompasses the interdependence of people on one other and the acknowledgment of 1’s accountability to their fellow people and the world round them. It’s a philosophy that helps collectivism over individualism.” Ubuntu is a stupendous idea. The philosophy jogs my memory that we’re all related, and that people are social animals who want connections to thrive. I’ve found that slowing down can create area to attach with family members and communities.

Tiny Steps that can assist you embrace Ubuntu

7. Siesta (Spain): Afternoon Nap Custom

In accordance to the BBC, the Siesta originated in submit Civil Conflict Spain. They clarify, “Historically, the Spanish working day was break up into two distinct elements: individuals would work from 9am till 2pm, cease for a two hour lunch break and return to work from 4pm till round 8pm. This disjointed day happened as a result of in submit Civil Conflict Spain, many individuals labored two jobs to help their households, one within the morning and one within the late afternoon. The 2 hour break allowed employees, particularly these in rural areas, time to relaxation or journey after the primary job ended.”

Curiously, the custom of the siesta is altering in Spain. In small cities, like Ador, the siesta remains to be a sacred custom. In bigger cities, this isn’t the case; over 60% of Spaniards don’t have the chance to take a day nap. Some corporations are attempting to carry the siesta again as a result of naps lower fatigue, enhance productiveness, and extra importantly, enhance employee well-being. 

Tiny Steps to benefit from the Siesta

• In the event you can, incorporate brief naps into your day to recharge, relaxation, and enhance your well-being.






• In the event you can’t nap throughout the day, decelerate and meditate for a couple of minutes. You are able to do this on sizzling or chilly days. 

Parting Phrases …

This 12 months, I’m going to borrow concepts from the gorgeous cultural traditions talked about above. The concepts impressed me to infuse extra consolation, connection, and contentment into my every day life. Choose a couple of of the tiny steps I shared on this article and be part of me!

Books that Encourage Consolation, Connection, and Contentment

• Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Lengthy and Blissful Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

There could also be affiliate hyperlinks on this submit of which I obtain a small fee.