I don’t know about you, my lovely Reader, but soon as the temperatures drop, I just want to be indoors and under blankets. The harsher weather makes it really easy to slip into a routine that isolates me from the world, if only to clutch onto that feeling of warmth, comfort and security. But even my introverted self can admit social connection is essential to my emotional health and well-being. Yours too! Fortunately for us, one of the most accessible and impactful ways to foster connection and community (especially during fall and winter) is through the cozy rituals that bring people together. From a warm cup of tea or a heartfelt conversation, to a shared moment of relaxation... Community can keep us healthy and cozy.
Cozy Community Made Easy
Nurturing relationships can be as simple as playing games with friends or family. Credit: Jmesquitaau.
Humans are social creatures by nature, and research consistently shows that strong social connections are linked to better mental and physical health. A 2010 study by Harvard School of Public Health revealed that people with weak social ties were at risk for increased heart disease.[1] The study found that strong relationships built on trust between neighbors could help lower stress and depression amongst community members, as well as reinforce healthy behaviors. And connecting doesn’t have to require grand gestures! Often, the everyday, simple, intimate moments—sitting together in silence, sharing a home-cooked meal or playing a card game—are what cultivate a sense of belonging and connection. That sense of belonging and connection helps forge strong bonds and create meaningful memories.
Hygge Health 101
Hygge living for better health. Credit: Antoni Shkraba Studio.
The concept of hygge (a Danish and Norwegian word) emphasizes warmth, comfort, community and sharing simple pleasures. Although it’s often associated with quiet, solitary activities, hygge is also a communal practice. Having friends over for a crafting night, watching movies with family or baking with a significant other can offer moments of relaxation and create a space for meaningful interactions.
Social isolation and loneliness are vital predictors of well-being and overall health.[2] Added to that, a study from University of California, Berkeley, found participating in social activities and nurturing relationships is essential for maintaining mental health.[3] Spending time with people you care for and are cared for by then becomes something even more meaningful… because in addition to sharing your time, you’re supporting each other’s well-being and mental health.
Take Your Cozy Medicine
Cozy for me; hygge with you. Credit: Pixabay.
It can be really tempting to hunker down and isolate this time of year. But the colder seasons are the perfect time to create cozy rituals that benefit our personal well-being and strengthen our community. Hosting a potluck, joining in a book club (might I suggest this book? 🙃), or simply gathering neighbors for a fireside chat can help weave an invisible cozy fabric that supports you and those you care about most.
This holds true even more so if you’re going through tough times: community-building activities are vital for creating a strong, supportive network that can weather life’s challenges.[4] This reminds me of a quote one of my best friends shared with me. It resonated so much; I've thought about it every day ever since:
“Shared joy is twice the joy and shared sorrow is half the sorrow.”
Even in times of stress or uncertainty, coming together over shared experiences can create a sense of unity and resilience within us. I like to think of spending time with my loved ones as a form of medicine I need to take regularly… a cozy medicine, if you will.
Better Together
Cozy times call for community… because we’re better when we’re together.
A cozy and hygge lifestyle is about more than just about personal comfort, hot drinks and warm sweaters—it’s an invitation to connect with others, savor life’s simple pleasures and create a sense of belonging. With the leaves gone and the end of the year near, it’s a good time to remember that true well-being is nurtured not only through self-care but also through the bonds we share with those around us. By building and maintaining our community through meaningful connection and sharing the simple pleasures of everyday life, we can make the colder months more joyful, fulfilling, and, ultimately, cozier.
***
Want to calm your mind and relax but short on time? You just need “5 Minutes of Cozy.”
Stay cozy wherever you are with these three easy tips for ways to embrace hygge and cozy living in the fall.
Opening photo credit: StockSnap.
[1] Kim, D., Diez Roux, A. V., Kiefe, C. I., Kawachi, I., & Liu, K. (2010). Do neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation and low social cohesion predict coronary calcification? The CARDIA study. American journal of epidemiology, 172(3), 288-298.
[2] Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2003). Loneliness and pathways to disease. Brain, behavior, and immunity, 17(1), 98-105.
[3] Child, S. T., & Lawton, L. (2019). Loneliness and social isolation among young and late middle-age adults: Associations with personal networks and social participation. Aging & mental health, 23(2), 196-204.
[4] Michalski, C. A., Diemert, L. M., Helliwell, J. F., Goel, V., & Rosella, L. C. (2020). Relationship between sense of community belonging and self-rated health across life stages. SSM-population health, 12, 100676.