The Scandinavian Art of Living

Embrace the charm of a Nordic winter

Travelling in Norway, Sweden or Denmark in winter is the ideal time to immerse yourself in the Scandinavian art of living. The inhabitants of these white wonderlands advocate a philosophy of life that fosters reconnection with oneself and nature as the key to unlocking simple happiness for all.

Hygge or the Danish art of cosy comfort

Turning your home into a warm and cosy cocoon, organising a good meal with friends or family, taking a walk in the forest meticulously wrapped up in a thick down jacket before coming home to a steaming mug of hot chocolate… These simple pleasures that promote a feeling of wellbeing and comfort have a name in Denmark: hygge (pronounced ‘hue-gah’).

In winter, this art of living is a powerful remedy for the winter blues, offering a source of comfort and warmth at the coldest time of the year. Anyone who has visited the Tivoli Gardens or strolled through the streets of Copenhagen at Christmas will already be familiar with the deep sense of wellness that candles, Danish mulled wine, quilts and other soft blankets provide. And if not, well, maybe now’s the time to give it a try!

Named the European Capital of Culture in 2017, Aarhus is best known as the ‘City of Smiles’. This ancient city was built by Vikings in the 8th century and is located on the east coast of the peninsula. With its colourful houses adorning Rue Møllestien, its open-air ‘Den Gamle By’ museum and its Botanical Gardens complete with vast expanses of woodland, Aarhus is a particularly convincing advocate of the art of hygge.

Lagom or the Swedish recipe for happiness

Directly inspired by Denmark’s hygge, lagom is an art of living that promotes the cardinal values of moderation and simplicity. This philosophy of ‘neither too much, nor too little, but just right’ means adopting moderate behaviour while constantly seeking the perfect balance.

Swedes apply the principles of lagom to all areas of their lives. Every day, they commit to going against the grain of a consumer society and strive to live as ethically as possible, shunning impulsive and unnecessary purchases. The idea is to enjoy life to the full, while avoiding excess. What counts is not the price or the brand, but the value of each individual object. The results include Scandi clothing, for instance, which is both chic and understated, and the famously clean and uncluttered Swedish design, free from unnecessary adornments.

Swedish
eco-responsibility

Embracing lagom means detaching yourself from material concerns and reconnecting with nature. It means enjoying birdsong at an open window, feeling uplifted by a ray of sunshine or going for a walk every day in the fresh air. It is linked to a certain ecological mindset that is particularly popular in Sweden, as demonstrated by its rigorous forestry practices, meticulous waste sorting and ambition to be a carbon-neutral country by 2035.

Scandinavia’s largest city has retained its human touch. It has developed and met the challenges of every great city without sacrificing the tranquillity of its residents or its biodiversity. Through ambitious yet well-considered property developments, ecology remains at the heart of the city’s urban planning policy, with over 40% of its surface area reserved for green spaces.

Friluftsliv: a taste for life in the great outdoors

Head to Norway to discover friluftsliv, or Nordic-style ‘outdoor living’. This philosophy, which celebrates time spent in the natural world, is said to have been invented by the playwright Henrik Ibsen in the second half of the 19th century. Norwegians, however, didn’t wait for this official concept to emerge before enjoying skiing, hiking and camping in the wilderness. For them, living and exercising outdoors is part of a national way of life both in summer and winter.

After all, its lakes, glaciers and fjords provide a wealth of beautiful natural spaces to explore. In Norway, there’s somewhere for everyone to let off steam, take a break from everyday life and relax by reconnecting with the elements… What if this tradition of friluftsliv is the secret to Norwegians’ unfailing good humour?

Wake up Swedish-style

Waking up in the early hours of the morning to venture outside, breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the first birdsong of the day… This is the idea behind gökotta, a Swedish concept designed to get the day off to the very best start. This ritual of strolling at dawn is complemented by another typical winter tradition: fika, which involves taking a coffee break alone or with someone else, while enjoying a sweet treat. As Swedes love Arabica coffee, fika has become an essential, ceremonial part of their day. It is observed religiously in many companies, who see these relaxed moments of togetherness among colleagues as a vector of cohesion and unity.

Photos credits: ©iStock

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