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Overcoming the Staleness of Winter, the Danish Way

With snowy days on the radar, long dark nights, and frigid temps winter is becoming stale. In the past, I would frantically start counting down the days until spring, as soon as the holidays had passed. But in recent years I’ve learned to overcome the staleness of winter, the Danish way.

When it comes to wintering, do as the Danish do:

• Share a cup of hot cocoa with a friend, topped with a leaf of peppermint grown in your windowsill.

• Uncover the plot in a new mystery book under a pile of cozy, soft blankets.

• Master the art of words with a board game by the twinkling light of candles.

• Explore the secrets of the winter forest tucked away by pillows of snow.

• Decorate your mantle with fresh cut branches from evergreen trees.

Imagine looking forward to the cold, dark days of winter and embracing it. Can you picture it? Well, that’s just how the Danes see it!

What is Hygge?

If you haven’t heard of hygge (pronounced hue-gah) it’s the Danish way of creating a warm atmosphere for rest and reflection. And enjoying the good things in life with good people.

While there isn’t a direct English equivalent for the word hygge, it’s all about coziness and happiness in the everyday pleasures of life.

Which is more a philosophy and it’s inspired me to embrace winter with the help of essential oils. Use the following ideas to replace typical winter blues with hygee.

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How to Hygge with Essential Oils

Create a cozy winter sanctuary

Creating a winter sanctuary starts with piling on the pillows and soft, cuddly blankets. Followed by laying rugs over bare floors and table linens over tables big and small to create comforting surroundings.

All of which provides the perfect opportunity to use an infused linen spray. Select essential oils derived from evergreen trees like spruce, fir, or pine for a refreshing aroma. Or blend together oils similar to winter spice tea, such as clove, orange, cinnamon, and tangerine. Lightly spritz linens to freshen up stale winter spaces.

Or fill your diffuser with warming essential oils like cinnamon and orange. And if you’re trying to keep the electricity bill under control, find more than two dozens ways to diffuse essential oils without an electronic diffuser in my book Aromatherapy: A Practical Guide for Home and Family along with my favorite blends.

Recipes to Make: Winter Pine Room Spray / Vanilla Lavender Linen Spray

Turn each night into a Spa Night

A relaxing aromatherapy bath has got to be THE perfect de-stressor after maneuvering the icy sidewalks and snowy roads. Not to mention, winter can really wreak havoc on your skin.

Pour a warm bath, add a scoop of Epsom salts, a few drops of essential oils, and a spoonful of honey into the water. Dip your fingertips into the warm bath and swish the ingredients to disperse. Step in and soak up the warmth while hydrating your skin.

Recipes to Make: Chai Latte Bath Soak / Pumpkin Spice Bath Tea

Bring the Outdoors In

Take a winter walk feeling the cool air on your face and listening to the birdsong as you collect items from nature. Upon returning home, fill a small bowl with your winter treasures such as berries, seed pods, and pinecones.

Add cinnamon sticks or dried orange slices from the kitchen to the bowl. Last, add 10 to 20 drops of essential oils to your natural winter potpourri.

Place the bowl in a small room like the powder room or set it on your entry table to greet you each time you enter your home.

Recipes to Make:  Natural Potpourri / Simmering Winter Potpourri 

Hygge by Candlelight

Follow the Danish custom of Hygge by reading a book, playing a board game, or snuggling up and listening to music by candlelight. All are a wonderful way to unwind on a cold winter night.

Carefully place candles in front of mirrors in each room to reflect the glow of flickering candlelight. Select hand poured candles with natural warming scents like cardamom, ginger, and clove to creating a relaxing, warming atmosphere. Far better than using synthetic candles filled with chemicals.

Recipes to Make: Pumpkin Spice Candles and Blue Spruce Candles

Printable Reference Guide of Essential Oils for Winter

Use this easy, printable reference list of essential oils for winter to help you create your own recipes for home and beauty. Grab it and many more printables in the Life-n-Reflection Resource Library.

Why sulk about the cold air and frosty sidewalks when you can roast marshmallows in the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa ready in hand?

Make the most of winter, whether that means building a snowman or baking cookies. It’s up to you! 

And unlike many things in life, hygge doesn’t cost a cent. So when it comes to wintering, do as the Danish do and embrace it. Pour a hot aromatherapy bath, light a trio of candles, and pile on the blankets when darkness falls and winter sets in, and you’ll no longer spend every day waiting for spring.

P.S. You can find photographs just like this for your blog in my stock photography collection!