Hygge is all the craze now, but what does it mean? And why should you live it and embrace it in your life?
Hygge is often associated with winter. It’s all about being at ease and slow living. But here are some summer hygge ideas for those long summer days.
What is Hygge?
Hygge is the Danish concept of a lively atmosphere. It’s that cozy feeling and the ultimate form of self-care.
Hygge is all about enjoying the art of relaxing and being at ease. To live a hygge lifestyle is to embrace a slow lifestyle full of friends, family, laughter, and quiet, reflective moments.
Have a Barbeque
Enjoy a backyard barbeque with friends. Bring your favorite BBQ foods like ribs and hot dogs, and have your friends bring their favorite chips and accessories. BBQs bring friends together, whether in the yard at home or at your local park. Emphasize friendly gatherings, maybe some lively music. If you are in a park, you may attract strangers who turn into friends. Encourage everyone to bring their favorite BBQ snacks.
Go for a swim
There’s a tranquil feeling about being in the water. It’s the ultimate expression of summer hygge. Whether it’s a friend’s pool, a lake, or a beach, there’s nothing like a relaxing swim. Bring your inflatable inner tubes and your sunscreen, and enjoy the water. Make sure you are up to date on water safety. An unexpected water emergency is certainly not hygge.
Go berry picking
Go berry picking at your local state park or wilderness area. Familiarize yourself with toxic plants you might encounter in your area. Summer fruit is abundant, and you can’t have hygge without seasonal comfort food.
Go for a hike
Go on a nature hike with friends. Meetup.com can help you find people in your community who will go with you. Enjoy nature’s beauty.
Take a bath with the window open
If your bathroom has a window, open it. Turn off the lights, light some candles, and listen to the sound of the calm summer night as you enjoy your soak. Dwell on the sounds of crickets, owls, and frogs, and savor the cool breeze after the sun has gone down. If you live near water, like a lake, a river, or the ocean, listen to the sounds of the water lapping at the shore or the bubbling stream.
Ride a bike
Ride your bike around town with friends, or take it out on a nature trail. It’s a good way to exercise and enjoy the sun’s warmth. If you can, maybe even ditch the car for a day.
Decorate in bright summer florals
Always dress the part. Wear some floral dresses or cute tops. Dressing up can make you feel confident.
Wake up early and spend the morning outside
Bask in the morning’s warmth before it gets too hot. Early in the morning, when there’s still a cool breeze, and the world is waking up, enjoy a drink as you set intentions for the day. Taking time out of your busy summer for quiet reflection is a great way to embrace summer hygge.
Greet the solstice sun
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. Get up early, before dawn, and head out to your backyard or garden, or even a balcony or front room, and wait. Set intentions for your day as you anticipate the coming of the dawn. Greet the sun’s warmth and enjoy the abundance it has given you.
Go get ice cream
Enjoy a summer treat at the local ice cream shop, especially if you happen to know a locally owned ice cream business that you can support. That way, you can bring hygge to your community.
Take a day trip
Take a day trip somewhere nearby. Enjoy a long summer drive, spend the day at a museum or park, and play tourist in your own local area.
Go window shopping
If you live near a small town with a cute, walkable downtown shopping area, enjoy a walk around the shops and enjoy a chance to window shop and maybe to support local small businesses.
Get lunch outside
Enjoy lunch at a nice sidewalk cafe. You can enjoy a chance to people-watch while enjoying a summer salad or seafood at your local cafe or bistro.
Harvest fresh fruit
Head out to your local farms for a chance to harvest your own produce. A lot of farms and orchards offer ‘pick your own’ opportunities.
Go horseback riding
Go horseback riding through the countryside.
Go to your local fair
Take part in your local agriculture festivals. Agriculture is the heart of any rural community, and it helps us reconnect with our roots.
Spend the evening on the back porch, watching the fireflies
Make some lemonade or iced tea, set out your favorite porch swing or rocking chair, and watch the sunset and the fireflies come out.
Take a longer trip
Put in for some vacation time and go on a longer vacation. Go somewhere tropical and enjoy the beaches. You could go on a cruise or a vacation tour somewhere exotic and far away. Indulge in another culture, taste their cuisine, and embrace the beauty and diversity of humanity.
Visit the ocean
While you head out for your local trip, choose somewhere on the coast. If you want to bask in the sun or watch the waves, try a less crowded beach than the typical tourist spots. If you can, enjoy an evening bonfire on the beach so you can walk along the shores, watch the sunset over the horizon, and reflect on your purpose in life.
Visit a national or state park
Visit your local state or national park and go on a tour. Learn about the local wildlife and biodiversity. Learn about your local geology. Check out the NPS website for your local parks. Just be sure to respect nature. Don’t pet or feed animals, and keep your distance from them. Don’t interfere with nature. We are only here to observe.
Visit a museum
Visit a local museum or historical site. If you live near a battlefield, go and reflect on the past.
Go to a sports event
Go to a sporting event like baseball or volleyball on the beach. Or check out your local sports bar or cafe and route for your favorite team.
Get dinner at a place you’ve been wanting to try
Check out a local restaurant you’ve been wanting to try, either as a family, as a romantic date, or on a night out with friends. Enjoy a lady’s night out or a guy’s night out if you can find a local group of friends to go with. Or, start a meetup.com group and make some new friends.
Have a movie night
Go see the summer hit. Or, if you are lucky enough to have a garage projector or backyard projector, host a movie night at your house and invite friends to enjoy your favorite movies from the past. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Go to a music festival
Attend your local music festival. There might be local vendors selling arts and crafts, food stalls, or food trucks where you can enjoy festival treats.
See Fourth of July fireworks
Plan to pick a good spot for fireworks watching in your area. Gather your friends, have a picnic, and enjoy your freedom if you live in the United States.
Have a bonfire
Host a bonfire gathering. Make sure you get permission from the local fire department and obey fire safety warnings. Get some smores and learn some local ghost stories to tell around the fire. Appreciate the abundance of the season. A bonfire is a great way to get your summer hygge on.
Go camping
Go camping. Whether you have an RV or you prefer tent camping, this is a chance to get out into nature, especially if you are interested in back-country camping.
Gather summer flowers
Gather some summer flowers to decorate your home with. Sunflowers, poppies, coneflowers, asters, begonias, and marigolds are some examples of summer flowers that bloom. If you need summer decorations for your hygge home, check out Rogue’s Hollow for some fiery crystals.
Drink a cool drink
Brew some iced tea out in the sun. (recipe for sun tea ) or brew your own lemonade or homemade sodas.
Visit the tropics or the desert
The tropics and the desert are the biomes of the season. If you are looking for a place to visit, check these out, as they relish the sun and heat. Just make sure to catch up on heat exposure safety, bring lots of water and sunscreen, and learn how to avoid heat stroke.
Conclusion
Hygge is all about slowing down and appreciating the comfort of simply existing. Slow down, enjoy the moment, and make memories with your friends and family.
