Hygge Should be Free: How to Practice Coziness without Spending a Penny

|I must admit that at the core of who I am, I enjoy being warm and comfortable. Perhaps it's from growing up in Canada and experiencing some seriously cold winters that make you want to stay under the covers for days, or maybe it's just a trait of who I am as a person. Either way, if I come for a visit to your home and you pass me a blanket to wrap myself in, I will be so grateful!

So when Amanda from crunchyhippielife.com wanted to share some tips about how to be cozy at home and on a budget, I was so eager to hear more! Her website is all about living a healthy lifestyle in a natural and holistic sense so I knew her advice would be great.

I hope you enjoy this guest blog and gain some ideas to incorporate more self-care, cozy moments into your own day. 

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Amanda Kintz

Amanda Kintz is a wife, mom of two, RN, and blogger behind crunchyhippielife.com, where she shares how to create a holistic and environmentally conscious lifestyle on a budget. Be sure to get your free copy of her ebook, Dirt Cheap Nutrition, which details how she and her husband created nutritious meals for just $25 per week. ​

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​Hygge Should be Free: How to Practice Coziness without Spending a Penny

​This afternoon, I’m going to light some candles, turn on some calming music, and curl up under a throw blanket and read library books with my toddler. He calls this “getting cozy.” He doesn’t know that this is actually a practice called “hygge,” a Danish word that literally translates to “coziness.”  

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the practice of self care during their long winter months as a way to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder. It became popular in America in the last few years after the Danish people were recognized as the happiest people in the world, despite their harsh and dreary seasons. 

The best part of this practice is probably that it doesn’t have to cost you anything. Here are some practical ideas for how to incorporate hygge into your home for free.

Gather

Decide where you will most likely be spending your hour (or however long you set aside for your hygge practice). Is it your bedroom, living room, or study? Choose somewhere where it will be easier for you to feel relaxed. Now, go through your home and gather a few items that embody that cozy feeling for you. For me, that’s candles, a fresh pot of coffee, a fleece blanket, and my fuzzy slippers. Arrange your items in that room or know where to find them nearby. ​

Quiet

You cannot be cozy if you’re overstimulated. Turn off the television, turn off the computer, and if you have kids – turn off or hide those loud toys. Create a peaceful atmosphere with some classical (or just soothing instrumental) music. Sometimes I will stream music I find on YouTube through my phone, and sometimes I will play a cd. Borrowing cds from your library is a frugal way to find new music without spending money. ​

Calm

Now you are ready. Curl up with a book, a gratitude journal, or even just a spare notebook and a pen. This is not the time to study for your next exam or map out your next big project. This is sacred space for you to do what you love and enjoy, if only for 20 minutes. Set a timer if you need to, but put it in a different room so you aren’t watching the clock. During your allotted time, quiet your spirit and enjoy the moments of calm. Read that new book you just checked out from the library. Do some journal prompts or write in your gratitude journal. Sketch, crotchet, or even just meditate. 

If you are a mom looking to incorporate this into your life, might I suggest the practice begins before your babies go down for naptime, so they too can enjoy the benefits? Especially if your little people fight naptime with the vengeance of my 3-year-old, hygge is a great habit to help them calm down, reset, and often times just fall asleep. My son will fight naptime all the way until dinner, but if I tell him it’s time to be cozy, he falls asleep after just a few minutes. ​

Please, Don’t Make it Perfect

While you can find several articles about the “top 10 things you need to buy to practice hygge in your home,” the spirit of hygge is about slowing down, enjoying the moment, and creating a mood. This practice is one that cultivates gratitude and beauty in the everyday. Especially for those of us who live on tighter budgets, hygge is a form of self care that should be implemented immediately. The way you practice doesn’t have to look amazing on an Instagram flat lay. The focus should be on the atmosphere and the vibe of the time. Focus on the vibe and the beauty of this practice is sure to transform your life.

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Thank you to Amanda for sharing all of these wonderful tips to get cozy at home and without it costing a lot of money. I would also add that incorporating the use of essential oils into your hygge and self care practices could help to create a soothing atmosphere with the help of aromatherapy.

Do you have a hygge or self-care practice that you enjoy doing at home? Feel free to share in the comments below this post!

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Related Resources:

• 7 Invaluable Self-Care Blogs
• The Intuitive Soul's Activity Book
• Mental Health Podcasts Focusing on Mindfulness

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