Turning down the lights, switching off from the outside world, and getting cosy at home is one of the nicest and comfiest things you can do for yourself this winter.

There’s a lot to love about the wintertime, like Christmas festivities, snowy walks, and spending time with family. However, it’s also the time of year when it’s dark and cold as soon as you wake up, and for some, it’s dark and cold when you get back home.

This can make the days feel particularly morose. It’s well-known that shorter days and less sunlight have been linked to feelings of sadness or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) over the winter.

Could turning our homes into a cosy haven help to alleviate this? Let’s take a look at how it can offer a much-needed boost to your well-being.

Taking inspiration from hygge

Scandinavian countries are well-known for having some of the happiest populations in the world, with Finland leading the way. The Danish are also very happy, as Denmark came in second in the World Happiness Report 2022. Some partly attribute this to the philosophy of hygge, which many people in Denmark live by. Neighbouring Nordic countries are also known to practice hygge, which might also help to explain why they also tend to rank highly when it comes to happiness.

Hygge can be slightly different for everyone depending on what brings you joy. Generally, it is the concept of creating a warm atmosphere, appreciating the small things in life, and spending quality time with loved ones. In that way, it’s similar to practising mindfulness, just in a cosy way.

It’s about creating a peaceful haven in the middle of our lives where we can feel safe and relaxed.

What is it about ‘cosiness’ that gives us a well-being boost?

When the weather is cold (and more often than not, drizzly), feeling warm, dry and comfortable in your home is the ultimate joy. Its benefits on your well-being can be both physical and mental. Physically, daily stresses can cause you to hold a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders. And, just like the effect of sinking into a hot bath, feeling warm and cosy can help to relax your muscles.

The concept of cosiness can also help to relax your mind. We spend a lot of time on the go, bustling around everywhere with a seemingly endless list of tasks. A cosy haven is a place to escape that – to slow down, disconnect from everyday worries and stresses, and focus on your immediate surroundings.

Cosiness is very closely related to self-care, and if you think about the things common in hygge, there are a lot of crossovers. Taking some ‘me-time’, surrounding yourself with soft furnishings, spending time in a cosy nook – these are all things that can help you to feel relaxed

How to turn your home into a cosy haven

So now you know some of the benefits of introducing the concept of cosiness into your daily life – let’s look at some of the ways you can do it.

Bringing in blankets, throws, and plenty of cushions is essential – find something that can truly envelop you in softness and warmth.

Think about what you’re wearing. In a cosy haven, comfort is of the utmost importance. Loungewear and thick pyjamas can be just what you need to help you feel warm and snug. Don’t be afraid to put on your nightwear well before going to bed either. A pair of chunky wool socks can keep your toes toasty all through the night!

The warm yellow glow of candles and lighting is also a must for building a cosy haven. Find a fragrance that is warming and relaxing, such as one that contains ylang-ylang or amber, to complete the atmosphere.
Don’t worry about applying these to every room. One of the beauties of creating a sanctuary for yourself is that it can be centred in one room, or even a single chair or spot on your sofa.

As mentioned above, cosiness can mean so much more than just being physically warm. According to the principles of hygge, it’s as much about how you feel in your home as how it looks. As such, there are ways to create these feelings outside of candles and blankets.

Cosiness can also relate to food and drink. This isn’t necessarily the same as comfort eating, which can often be associated with eating to cope with tough times. This is about preparing food that delights you. The act of cooking can also be a good mood booster because it gives you a chance to appreciate your own skills and small accomplishments.

Spending time with loved ones is another important tenet of turning your home into a cosy haven and living by the principles of hygge. All the things mentioned so far can also be shared with others. Friends can be invited over to enjoy tea, coffee, or other hot drinks together while you catch up. Even just talking over the phone for a few minutes can lift your mood while you’re at home. The cosy blankets mentioned above? Try sharing them with a family member as you watch TV or read together.

However you choose to carve out your own little cosy haven, always remember that the most important thing is the feeling of warmth and cosiness. Whether it’s making a cup of tea, reading a magazine, listening to music, or laughing with friends, take time out from your hectic days to be present and allow yourself to be soothed by the small things around you.

We hope this has given you the inspiration you need to try turning your home into a cosy haven this winter and get a well-deserved well-being boost.

#inconversation Series 7 - Nuffield Health & Gosia Bowling

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This week Natalie is joined by psychotherapist and EMDR accredited expert, Gosia Bowling, National Mental Health Lead for the UK’s largest health charity, Nuffield Health. Talking how to navigate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, understanding the links between mental health, perimenopause and menopause and how to build our wellbeing tool kit to make us more robust when dealing with periods of change or anxiety, Gosia provides expert insight and handy takeaways to help us best protect our overall mental health.