5 ways Londoners can adopt a more Nordic way of life

Signe Johansen, author of How to Hygge, tells us why there's much more hygge than candles and woollen socks
Signe Johansen17 October 2016

Much has been made about the Danes being the happiest people on earth and the fact that they’re also the biggest consumers, per capita, of anti-depressants. The reality is more complex, not least because the notion of ‘happiness’ is problematic. A focus on whether the Danes are happier than everyone else misses the point. Are people content with their lot across the region? Overall, yes. The question is why?

When it comes to the big socio-economic issues that affect all of our lives, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland - and most famously Denmark - are beacons of progressive politics. In recent years the countries across the region have topped pretty much every quality of life survey, to the point where it’s become a bit of a joke. Be it life expectancy, high fitness levels, low rates of obesity, decent public education, gender quality, good health care, respect for the environment, great restaurants, beautiful design and the construction of liveable cities - Nordic countries have unquestionably nailed the biggest challenges of everyday life. It’s widely accepted now that we can no longer rely on GDP and material wellbeing as the key indicators of a functioning, prosperous society. Quality of living matters.

Smug or simply a matter of fact?

So far, so smug you might think. No one, however, is suggesting we’re perfect. Far from it. Yet the truth is your cousins across the North Sea have a matter-of-fact, pragmatic approach to living that reaps plenty of dividends and can easily be emulated elsewhere. The best thing? You don’t have to be rich, eat herring or drive a Volvo to achieve it…

Where I came from, it was simply accepted that everyone benefits when women are treated as equals to men, when employees earn a living wage for their work, when there is very little disparity between rich and poor. We appreciate someone sensible in power with the foresight to invest in deeply unsexy, long-term public projects like infrastructure (hydro-electric power and long tunnels are a source of pride in Norway). These are hardly radical measures, and yet other countries have a considerable way to go in catching up with the Nordics when it comes to providing a decent quality of life to all their citizens.

Is hygge the answer?

All the Nordic countries were at some time or another quite poor, and as a thrifty people our ancestors developed a few strategies over the centuries to cope with the challenges of a harsh climate, inhospitable environment and access to limited resources. The most obvious manifestation of this pragmatism and hardiness is reflected in the modern notion of hygge, a concept often reduced to a lifestyle trend of flickering candles, woollen socks and mugs of hot cocoa guzzled in front of a fire. There's more to hygge than this.

A Norwegian-Danish word, hygge roughly translates as a feeling of cosiness but to us it also means kinship and conviviality. Much has been made of its quintessential Danishness; truth be told hygge is originally Norwegian but we’re happy to share it with the Danes.

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Nature and seasons set the pace

As the nights start to draw in and there’s a distinct chill in the air, Nordics really embrace all that autumn and winter have to offer. I get a shiver of excitement when I get my winter clothes out and little summer tops are replaced with my robust Norwegian Dale jumpers. Given how long winter lasts in the region, we don’t see the point in whingeing about how cold it’s getting. For Londoners the most obvious way to channel a little Nordic pragmatism in this great city is head to your nearest park, somewhere like Hampstead Heath or go for a long walk along the Thames. If you’re planning a holiday, perhaps think of seeking out a destination in the wilderness rather than a city break. With the value of the pound plummeting consider a break in the Lake District, Islay or Cornwall this winter. The British coastline is stunning, and arguably much more restorative during the winter months when it’s quiet. Pack those thermals, soft woollen jumpers and waterproofs and soak up that freezing cold, bracing air. Nature provides a massive mental boost that you just don’t feel in the same way when pounding a treadmill in the gym, and that’s as true in winter as it is in summer.

The outdoors is always preferable to the gym

Nordic women are as active and sporty as men, and we wear our outdoorsiness as a badge of honour. Ladies of London, next time you consider buying a new pair of heels ditch ‘em for a pair of hiking boots. Scientific research has proven that being active at all ages is essential to both our physical and mental wellbeing. So getting outdoors, no matter what the weather, is essential to our sense of who we are. It’s about building resilience, about nurturing a robust attitude to life in general: for us Nordics to be active is to be alive. Find an activity, or a variety such as hiking, swimming, skiing, yoga or a self-defence workshop that you enjoy and focus on how that makes you feel. Exercise isn’t a zero-sum-game, if you focus solely on how you look then you’ll always be discontent. It’s about feeling strong, empowered and confident. That is the Nordic way…

What's the point of being active if you can't eat a cardamom bun afterwards?

No one ever regrets doing a little exercise, especially when there’s a delicious reward at the end of it. Forget those chalky protein shakes and sludgy green juices, life is too unpredictable to live in a state of puritanical abstinence. Worrying about superfoods and keeping up with the Instagrammers who espouse the virtues of clean living is decidedly not hyggelig. I grew up in a family that reveres carbs, and we opt for quality, not the processed, refined stuff. A slice of good sourdough like Brick House Bakery’s Peckham Rye with a generous smear of butter is so much more satisfying that a loaf of industrial sliced white and margarine. A real chocolate brownie made with intensely dark chocolate, butter, eggs, flour and sugar will always win out against those sad, ersatz versions with sweet potato and dates. Flavour is everything. In Sweden they have a tradition of fika which is akin to the German tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen’ a restorative and fun habit that anyone can take up.

If you’re curious about the Nordic love of carbs and understanding our food culture I’ll be discussing the joy of fika and finding hygge in simple, delicious Nordic dishes with Bronte Aurell of Scandinavian Kitchen and Kell Skött of Snaps & Rye at the London EDITION on Sunday October 23 at the Festival of Hygge. Come join us and find out why hygge is more than candles, hot cocoa and curling up on the sofa; editionhotels.com

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