Autumn Hygge – Page 4 – Crafted By B Studio

ONE OF DENMARK’S MAGIC WORDS TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC…

According to USN News one of Denmark’s Magic Words is how to deal with the pandemic.

“Samfundssind” – considering the needs of society over oneself – reflects Danish societal values useful in combating a pandemic.

Marie Helweg-Larsen says that “In recent years, the English-speaking world has found two Danish concepts, “pyt” and “hygge,” useful for dealing with anxiety and stress. Now another Danish word – “samfundssind” – might help countries grapple with the pandemic.

In March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged all Danes to show “samfundssind,” which means to consider the needs of society above your own. In English, it roughly translates to community spirit, civic engagement or civic-mindedness.”

Marie goes on to explain that before the pandemic, samfundssind was a relatively obscure word that was rarely, if ever, used. It first appeared in a Danish dictionary in 1936, and former Danish Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning included it in several speeches in the late 1930s imploring Danes to show community spirit as World War II was approaching. However, since Frederiksen used the word in her March speech, its usage in Denmark has spiked.

The concept of samfundssind seems to be related to what researchers call social capital. Members of societies that have high levels of social capital tend to be more trusting and reciprocal while feeling more connected to their fellow citizens – all attitudes that lend themselves to considering the needs of a community over your own.

Denmark is an individualistic society, and Danes rank as the most trusting in the world. They score highly in interpersonal trust as well as trust in institutions, such as the police and government. Denmark also has the world’s lowest levels of corruption.

With winter approaching and the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, the impulse may be to retreat from the public health emergency and think only about ourselves and our own needs.

Samfundssind, however, can remind us to look outward, rather than inward.

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER LIKE THE DANES DO…

How to stay happy like the Danes during winter lockdown is an article I read in The Times.

Apparently Denmark is grappled with coronavirus rates higher than most of its Nordic neighbours and is also now on the UK quarantine list and the economy is facing its biggest contraction since the Second Word War with dark and dreary winter well on its way. But this doesn’t bother the Danes, they are still happy.

Where else in the world would choose this moment to open a Happiness Museum, devoted to the subject for which the Danes are most famous? And not only that, but manage to attract up to 70 smiling visitors a day, even with the dearth of tourists on Copenhagen’s streets.

The Telegraph wrote that one study even found that the closer a country is in distance to Denmark, the happier its people are likely to be! So are Danes just born happy, or do they know something we don’t? Well, the Danes have better work-life balance than anywhere else in the world, with only 2 per cent regularly working long hours (compared to an average figure of 13 per cent for other countries). All employees are entitled to a minimum of five weeks paid holiday a year, and when Danes are at work, they often have flexible working environments.

The Danes also love their sweets, especially baking and eating cakes, cookies, and pastries. Anything home-cooked is much more hygge than something store-bought. Hygge drinks are best served warm. Tea, hot chocolate, and mulled wine all have a high hygge factor. Especially on a cold winter night.

Culture Trip wrote that from November until the end of February, Denmark’s nickname is Mordor. Yes, you got that right, J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional world of Middle-earth. Truth is that some days you can’t really tell which is one is the worst but don’t despair because these tips will help you to survive the winter like a local. Getting through the Danish winter is a tough challenge even for locals. With more than four months of low temperatures often sinking below zero, sunless weeks with the morning light coming up at around 8 a.m. and lasting until 4 p.m. and heavy rain or snow, Covid-19 and lockdowns, you’ll need more than just Vitamin D to survive the wintertime.

So, don your baggy scarves, think of indoor activities and crafts you can do, bake, bake and bake some more (make sure you do the steps after baking) and get your magazines and books at the ready, and a cosy throw. Wrap yourself up into a little cocoon and enjoy winter no matter what.