⁣What is the Danish secret to happiness? from Onur Türk's blog

The people of the Scandinavian countries are always known as happy people. Denmark, which has been among the happiest countries in the world for many years, says that the formula of this happiness is hidden in the concept of "Hygge". Even books have been written to make this concept useful to people all over the world.

In fact, the concept of hygge, which comes from the Norwegian word "Hugga", has become a lifestyle for the Danes. This word, which has the meanings of "giving peace" and "relaxing"; It is accepted as a symbol of warmth and sincerity.

According to the figures of the World Happiness Report, which covers the period 2013-2015 and presented by the UN, the happiest countries are as follows:

Denmark
Switzerland
Iceland
Norway
Finland
Canada
Holland
New Zealand
Australia
Sweden
In the new research conducted in 2021, the results do not change much. Although Finland has come out on top and surpassed Denmark, the values are very close.

Well, are you wondering where Turkiye is on this list? Not surprising, but sad nonetheless. We are very unhappy; We are in 104th place.

What Is Hygge: A Philosophy of Life?

Hygge, which emerged in the 19th century, is an indispensable element in Danish culture. According to this philosophy, which aims to enjoy the simple things, you don't need a lot of money to be happy. Living in the moment and feeling free from all negative emotions are the nuances that are compatible with hygge. For the Danes, who argue that living a peaceful life is not difficult at all, making every moment warm and enjoyable is possible with this philosophical stance.

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Seeing the sun in Denmark, which has a cold and harsh climate, is a very special situation for the people living here. Still, it is not a problem for Danes that the weather is always cloudy and cold. Despite the dark weather, these Scandinavian people have a warm lifestyle; He believes that it is possible to make life happy with the smallest details. For this society, which opposes the intensity of the modern age, tradition is more prominent. For the Danes, this philosophy of life has settled over time and has completely turned into a culture.

If we define it from another point of view; According to Meik Wiking, Founder of the Happiness Research Institute, Hygge is consciously being comfortable, but it can also be considered the art of creating a pleasant atmosphere. This is called the pursuit of everyday happiness. For introverts, it can also be defined as socializing or enjoying being with loved ones.

Hygge; It is directly linked to relaxation, tolerance, good food, equality and gratitude. In other words, it is a philosophy that directly includes all of these and needs them.