7 Worldwide Practices that Encourage Consolation and Connection

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

Have you ever skilled guilt over taking breaks, spending time with mates, or prioritizing your well-being? In case your reply is sure, you’re not alone. For example, I nonetheless really feel responsible for working part-time as a substitute 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 acutely aware effort to embrace practices that promote consolation, connection, and contentment.

Curiously, mates who stay in several elements of the world, like Spain and Portugal, have shared that the cultural lifestyle varies considerably from america. In these locations, individuals take time to have fun holidays and relish easy pleasures. Conversely, within the U.S., many staff 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 totally 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 which you could incorporate into your routine. Choose a number 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 writer of The Little E book of Hygge: Danish Secrets and techniques To Blissful Dwelling, 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 number of levels and snuggling on the sofa with my cat, husband, and an excellent e book. Having a cup of scorching espresso by my aspect elevates these easy pleasures, making them much more significant. 

Tiny steps to seek out connection and luxury with Hygge

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






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






• Give attention to being within the second as a way to relaxation and calm down with family members.

2. Fika (Sweden): Espresso Breaks & Connections 

Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall wrote an exquisite e book 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 just 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 mates. You are able to do it at dwelling, in a park or at work. However the important factor is that you just do it, that you just make time to take a break: that’s what fika is all about.”

In essence fika is greater than a espresso break. It provides individuals a second to decelerate, calm down, take pleasure in significant conversations, and savor easy pleasures.

Tiny Steps to take pleasure in Fika

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






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






• Use Fika as a solution to decelerate and calm down.

3. Lagom (Sweden): Simply Sufficient

Lagom is a Swedish precept that interprets to “simply sufficient” or “simply the correct quantity.” Author and thinker Jonny Thomson explains lagom as, “understanding when sufficient is sufficient, and looking for stability and moderation moderately than continually greedy for extra. Lagom is that feeling of contentment all of us get when we have now 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, mates at your again, and cash — simply sufficient cash — in your pockets. If Goldilocks had a catchphrase, it could 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 needed a house that had extra space for entertaining and cooking. Now we stay in a two-bedroom residence, and that’s “simply sufficient” area for us. 

Tiny Steps to seek 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 pleasurable if you’re outdoors. The wet day if you sip a cup of tea listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof, the howling wind shaking timber outdoors as you watch from the security 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 smooth lounge put on, pulled out a blanket, and napped on the sofa. Once I awoke, I continued to look at the climate from the window whereas ingesting a scorching cup of tea. It was pleasant! 

Tiny Steps to embrace gluggaveður

• Recognize the great 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 Objective and Pleasure

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

“For instance, if I’m enthusiastic about 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 provides on this area, I’d say I’ve discovered my ikigai candy spot,” says Gaines. The concept behind ikigai is to carry collectively “what you like to do, what you’re good at, what the world wants, and what you might be paid for.” 

Tiny Steps to encourage consolation and reference to ikigai.

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






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

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

Wikipedia highlights that there are “many various (and never all the time appropriate) definitions of what Ubuntu is. Even with the assorted definitions, Ubuntu encompasses the interdependence of people on one other and the acknowledgment of 1’s duty to their fellow people and the world round them. It’s a philosophy that helps collectivism over individualism.” Ubuntu is a good looking 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 publish Civil Struggle Spain. They clarify, “Historically, the Spanish working day was cut 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 took place as a result of in publish Civil Struggle Spain, many individuals labored two jobs to assist their households, one within the morning and one within the late afternoon. The 2 hour break allowed staff, 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 continues 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 try to carry the siesta again as a result of naps lower fatigue, improve productiveness, and extra importantly, enhance employee well-being. 

Tiny Steps to benefit from the Siesta

• For those who can, incorporate brief naps into your day to recharge, relaxation, and enhance your well-being.






• For those who can’t nap through the day, decelerate and meditate for a couple of minutes. You are able to do this on scorching or chilly days. 

Parting Phrases …

This 12 months, I’m going to borrow concepts from the attractive cultural traditions talked about above. The concepts impressed me to infuse extra consolation, connection, and contentment into my every day life. Choose a number 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 publish of which I obtain a small fee.