As a nurse researcher, I have led two food prescription studies called Fresh Food Rx and have published research on the impacts of consistent access to fresh produce on people's physical and mental well-being. I have learned along the way that the types and ways that we eat our foods are incredibly important! 

Research in Australia (2022) revealed that consuming five fruits and vegetables daily reduced depression risk. In the U.K., increasing produce intake by one portion equals eight days of mental health benefits from 10-minute walks. Wow! Who knew food could be so powerful, right? 

To help you create moments of hygge in your food spaces, I have pulled together some thoughts and ideas. 

First, look at your own home. Create a cozy atmosphere at home that encourages gathering around the table and enjoying meals outside on sunny days.You know the warm feeling you get when your friends or family share a meal with you? That is hygge!

Consider the importance of where (and how) you eat

Eating is just as important as what you eat. Many of us eat while driving, scrolling on our phones, watching TV, or working. I've done all of these myself!

Create an inviting atmosphere for meals by adding soft items like sheepskin to your wooden dining chairs and placing candles on the table. Even a simple weeknight dinner can be transformed with a bit of candlelight!

Eat seasonal and local foods

Gharyan Stoneware Serving Bowl

In Denmark, the seasons usher in new menus and customs. Spring ushers in potatoes and asparagus recipes, summer brings strawberries and raspberries, and winter brings the comfort of leeks and rhubarb.

In the US, each of us lives in states that usher in similar change rhythms. In North Carolina, our Spring season is full of lettuce, peas, and spinach, our summers are bursting with tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, blueberries, and peaches, and our falls have a robust menu of pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and kale. Consider buying cookbooks that help you find recipes you love while incorporating the local foods of your community.

You can showcase the cookbooks in your kitchen to add a decorative touch.

Take time for kaffe

When did you last share a warm beverage and enjoy it without distractions? When was the last time you gathered with friends to savor a coffee or tea? The Danish have a culture of hygge that supports bringing people together to drink warm beverages, especially during cold and dark winters.

Enjoy your coffee or latte by taking the time to savor it in the morning or share it with a coworker or friend. Fostering community is a key to a fulfilling life and to bringing joy.

As a free thank you for reading, I am including a free resource here: Creating a Home You'll Love: Hygge-Inspired Strategies to help you as you build hygge into your own life! 

To learn more about hygge-inspired living, be sure to follow along with my newsletter by clicking here to sign up here. 

Be well,

Rachel Zimmer