Hygge for Teachers

Hygge for Teachers

Hey y'all. Winter break is fast approaching and it's time to regain our sanity and practice a little self-care. Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is the Danish word for comfort, warmth, and coziness. Here's a few ways I like to hygge over break:
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1. Light a fire in the fireplace.
To make it even more relaxing, use those ungraded papers as kindling to get that fire really going. At this point in the school year, you should have plenty of them handy.


2. Curl up with a good book.
If you're not familiar with hygge, try The Little Book of Hygge, or Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life.  Find a book you love that is not teaching related and enjoy every minute of it.

          

3. Bake or snack on your favorite treats.
It's winter break and you'll be rocking your leggings the whole time so go ahead and snack it up. I have a recipe for peanut butter cookies that I just love. I only make them a couple of times a year because I'll eat them all. This is the time to enjoy your favorite sweet treats. And bonus points if you make them yourself.


4. Enjoy a warm beverage.
Got a Starbucks gift card from a student? Use it while you can enjoy your coffee or tea while it's still hot. Bonus points for enjoying those beverages while eating your sweet treats and reading a good book.

5. Spend time with your favorite people.
It's YOUR break. If you don't want to hang out with that ONE relative, don't. Don't want to talk politics with THAT person? Don't. Surround yourself with the people you love and enjoy their company. You can't get your sanity back if you hang out with the people that make you lose it.


6. Play games.
I don't mean the dating kinds of games. Ain't nobody got time for that. I mean board games or card games. I bought The Hygge Game to play at our house. I really thought my kids (all teenagers) would turn up their noses to it and not play, but THEY DIDN'T. In fact, THEY ask ME to play! And they even make their boyfriends play with us. It's great for keeping the conversations going and creating a feeling of togetherness.

7. Create a mood.

Light some candles and curl up with a comfy blanket. Soft lighting is a cornerstone of hygge and Danish people are the number one consumers of candles in the world. Take the cue from them and light up a few candles and just breathe for an evening. Your sanity will thank you. 

Whether it's reading or writing, crafting or Pinterest-ing, cooking or ordering take-out, do something that brings you peace and joy. Hygge is all about the feelings of comfort and togetherness. Have a wonderful break.

Stay cozy,