Winter Weather Illinois
A plant is covered with ice in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
Winter Weather Illinois
A plant is covered with ice in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

For many, Chicago winters can be difficult especially after the holiday season. We have long winter months with the dark evenings, blustery cold days, and a lack of outdoor activities… it can all lead to the winter blues. 

For some tips on how to make it through, WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spoke with Kristen Larson about the Danish expression of Hygge. Larson works at Chicago’s Swedish American Museum and she’s ancestrally Danish.

Winter Weather Illinois
A plant is covered with ice in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
Winter Weather Illinois
A plant is covered with ice in Chicago, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

For many, Chicago winters can be difficult especially after the holiday season. We have long winter months with the dark evenings, blustery cold days, and a lack of outdoor activities… it can all lead to the winter blues. 

For some tips on how to make it through, WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spoke with Kristen Larson about the Danish expression of Hygge. Larson works at Chicago’s Swedish American Museum and she’s ancestrally Danish.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: For many Chicago winters can be difficult, especially after the holiday season. We have long winter months with dark evenings, blustery cold days and a lack of outdoor activities. And it can all lead to the winter blues. But for some tips on how to make it through, I'm speaking with Kristen Larsen about the Danish expression of hygge. Larsson works at Chicago's Swedish American museum and she's ancestrally Danish. It's spelled H-Y-G-G-E. So it's not very intuitive for English speakers.

Kristen Larson: Not very.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: No, and for us, who also don't speak Danish, how would you translate this expression? I know it's kind of hard, right? Because there's not a literal translation.

Kristen Larson: You're right. There is no literal translation in English from this Danish word. So the best way to describe it is a feeling that is commonly associated with comfort and joy. It's also been associated with words with adjectives like gentle, soothing connectedness, grounded, being authentic and being present.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: And how do you think people incorporate hygge into their everyday lives?

Kristen Larson: I personally think that the better question of like instead of how do you use it, would be like how do you feel it? 

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: Oooh. 

Kristen Larson: Because it's not necessarily a tangible item. So a lot of people will associate tangible items with this feeling. And so people will say, "oh you need candles, you need blankets, you need wool sweaters, you need cozy socks." I think the real essence of what those questions are, what the tangible items mean in association with hygge is saying, are you comfortable? Are you warm? Are you grounded and open to moments of connectedness with the people around you, because it's definitely possible to achieve this feeling when you're alone. So as an introvert, this is very common for me. But every now and then I get to express hygge with other people and that is the true expression of hygge is joining with loved ones in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: That sounds lovely. How would you suggest for our listeners and people living in cold climates? Like we are here in Chicago. How would you recommend them adopting this expression and how can it help us get through these tough times? I need all the tips I can get.

Kristen Larson: Um and yes, Chicago winters can be extremely difficult, especially once you get into the New Year. So, some things that I have been trying to incorporate into my own life in order to feel more connection um would be a few things. One is to disconnect from distractions that allow you to make connections with the people that are around you. Another one might be to make your space reflect your values, like a space a place where you can be comfortable and your authentic self. And another way to experience hygge a bit more through a Chicago winter might be creating rituals even if they are small incorporating candles, like a candle lit dinner or having fika. Fika is a Swedish tradition and ritual which is the act of taking a break and enjoying a hot drink. Typically coffee with a snack and socializing. I'm actually having a fika with you right now.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: Wow, I need to write this down because so often we just, you know, like, "Okay, I'll grab a coffee," but then I'm like in front of my computer working right, like that doesn't count.

Kristen Larson: Yes, not quite counting because you need to be able to truly be socializing and connecting with another. 

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: That's great.

Kristen Larson: So, incorporating a couple of different Scandinavian traditions in this conversation.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: Yeah, especially, you know, as we get through the holidays, I think this is such a great expression to kind of incorporate and make it your own right. Everyone can just kind of personalize it and what's going to benefit you.

Kristen Larson: Absolutely, and there's so many books that you can find on the expression of hygge. And everything has a little bit different to offer and one expression might match your personality a little bit more than the other.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: Yes, I love that. All right, well thank you Kristen Larsen for speaking with us today. I appreciate you joining us. 

Kristen Larson: Thank you for having me Araceli.

Araceli Gomez-Aldana: This is WBEZ.


WBEZ transcripts are generated by an automatic speech recognition service. We do our best to edit for misspellings and typos, but mistakes do come through.