The Scandinavian Hygge Lifestyle Taking The World By Storm 

Meik Wiking takes VICE News on a hygge tour of Copenhagen coffee shops, library gardens and wine bars that epitomize the lifestyle trend. WATCH NEXT: The Apocalypse Escape Plan Of The 1% - bit.ly/2BvcZSZ

As a Danish/American dual citizen, I can tell you all definitively that "hygge" is real. There is no BS here. There is no propaganda. Visit Denmark and you'll experience an incredibly warm and happy culture. In sharp contrast to the US, the Danish government works hard to better the lives of its citizens. Most people in this comment section are very ignorant and too angry about the state of the US to understand that there are great places and cultures beyond US shores.

People in Denmark and Scandinavia overall aren't disproportionately happy because of "Hygge" or cultural reasons, but rather because of the material conditions in their countries. As the Danish man pointed out in the video, they have social democratic polices that provide social programs and safety nets for people. Workers have health care, quality public education, and more. In the US, millions upon millions of people are living paycheck-to-paycheck, worried about how they are going to pay their rent and provide for their children. You can practice Hygge all you want, but if you're in poverty and have no social support, you aren't going to be happy.

In the US, we citizens work very hard to provide our politicians with as much hygge as they can take.

"at some point, additional income does not lead to an improved quality of life." a lot of wisdom in this line.

"socializing for introverts" wow, that's so accurate

"...many people find that moment and they call it something else. It's a moment of groundedness when you're close to other people. And when you listen to your heart and see people with your heart." I've had those moments. It's kind of when everything feels in harmony and you feel good and wholly present in that moment, talking with a friend or family member, likely laughing or sharing something good. I strive to make those moments. Moments of joy or just contentedness. And I believe he's right, you can make it happen no matter where you are in the world. It's just naming it that's so powerful and I love the Danes have a word for it.

This is interesting. I imagine people would be overall happier if there day-to-day worries didn't include basic survival like having enough to eat, the ability to afford healthcare, not having to worry about how much an education will cost, etc.

The other week, I got so frustrated by the hustle and bustle and stress and I remembered a friend mentioning the word hygge. So in desperation I bought a book on it. It really made my blood pressure go down reading it and I felt so relaxed. Our culture really needs to learn to unwind more. Perfectionism is toxic. There is something so beautiful in the minimalistic pursuit.

I was raised in a family like this. I live in America and I grew up in a family where dinner was so sacred that we always ate together, no phones, no computers etc. im so grateful for being able to have that experience every night. I find that my family is much closer than a lot of my friends whose families almost never eat together. In addition to that my parents are much happier than most of my friends parents, and they say that cooking and eating together everyday helps them feel grounded and stay connected even when their lives are so busy and hectic. I would really recommend this to anyone, it 100% results in a closer, more stable, and supportive family.

The cringe level is high in these comments. One huge difference between Americans and Danes is that many Americans believe wealth and the continued accumulation of wealth is a sign of good character. You'll often hear these idiots defending Donny Tinyhands by saying things like, "he's a billionaire with a supermodel wife so he is better than you."

hygge is one of the best things in the world. ( i am danish )

Hygge kan also be healthy. Hygge is a cup of tea. A dinner with good friends. You can still have a hygge time even if there are no candles involved. It's a fluid thing. The way Claus Meyer describes it is the most correct. Everybody does it. We (Danes) just have a name for it.

But this is all dependent on basic needs being met first, and without the constant fear of losing them.

I live in Denmark, with the threat of possibly being alone for Christmas, I bought some very pretty Christmas porcelain, the shop assistant, asked me if it was a present and I answered “No, if there is a lockdown, and I’m alone for Christmas, I’m going to have a really hyggelig time, and the porcelain is part of it”. You can hygge alone!😃😎

It is like the swedish fika. Taking your time to sit down with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun just enjoying the food, atmosphere and yourself

I suddenly understood exactly what hygge meant a minute into the video. I've experienced the feeling. I think we all have. Drinking hot chocolate by the fireplace while watching it snow outside.

Why all the hate guys? This video is really Hygge and you guys need to calm down and enjoy life a bit!

What is really funny though is that even though we have the highest rates of happiness here in Denmark, we also have the highest amount of prescriptions for antidepressives. It is a huge paradox, which is often left out of the conversation when talking about Danish people and their level of happiness.

the second he started speaking in support of bernie I instantly purchased his book

Can someone from Denmark adopt me? I want hygge for rest of my life.

A stroll through Target’s home decor aisle is Hygge for me....and smelling all the candles 🕯

I really liked Denmark. They are a pretty content bunch. They aren’t running around jumping for joy or acting all obnoxious. They are sweet, zen and pleasant. They take time for themselves which is why they have the hygge thing down to a science. I was there in May two years ago, and it was cold, just like here in Canada. But they were still out there kayaking and paddle boarding, and all that stuff. Way to go, you guys. Gonna make me a cup of cocoa now. Peace out.

I love how he shaded America in the beginning 😂

I'm dutch my bf is scandanavian and we live in Canada. Should be the happiest people ever according to the list 😂

I am danish and for me hygge is how to describe a situation of joy and comfort.. you can experience hygge in many situations. It's a feeling above all ells

I have bought Hygge into my life.. I have always had this nature and its warming and rewarding.

If sitting in a cardigan eating hot chocolate and cake is "sinful" or "dangerous", shoot me.

Hygge is a state of mind, being. Moderation, respect for life and co-operation not competition. Living in harmony with other humans, nature and being the best one can be. Most of all contributing to Hygge society for the betterment of nation, fellow citizens and progress. Danemark here i come!!! Whoop Whoop!!!😎

Hygge for me is spending time cooking and having a great time with my friends. Taking a break from all the stress, demands etc. and just "being in the now".

Over the last 5 years I've fallen in love with Scandinavian design. It's simple, natural, thoughtful. Adopting the minimal design has many benefits. Organization for one. Less stress cutting out searching for items. Appreciating what we have. Less clutter in our home, less clutter in our minds. Family oriented spaces, to be mindful of our time spent together, the food we eat, the games we play. This is the first I've heard the term Hygge.

It's not strictly Danish but is a core part of the Scandinavian cultures in general - they do this in Norway too and it's so wonderful

Almost the same as the Dutch word "Gezellig" we have here in the Netherlands. Such a great concept and word which does not exist in English

I'm a dane and hygge exists in all countries, not just Denmark, and we really shouldn't be proud of it or take credit for it. It's a way to describe more relaxed pleasurable activities or feeling good, that's it.

When there’s too much motivational content or hustle culture things, hygge is like a pill to treat one of the worst diseases - people’s perfectionism

The U.S. has severe issues and differences no one ever mentions when they say "something the U.S. can learn from Denmark, Norway, etc." Not to mention vast differences in both population size, diversity, and immigration issues. To use simple imagery, if Denmark and the U.S. were boats, the U.S. would be a round, rudderless vessel, taking on water, being rowed by 1,000 different people in 1,000 different directions. When approaching a boulder, only a few people would see it and no one would hear them yelling about it. Denmark would be a canoe of 5 people who look similar, think similarly, act similarly ("similar" ...not act "exactly alike"). All 5 would see the boulder and go around it. It is as naive to think that Bernie Sanders would have righted the ship as it is to think Trump will get his wall. It is also just as dangerous to put your faith in one person. "Bernie/Trump will fix it." It's nonsense. The actual take-away from Hygge is to worry about your friends, your family, and yourself. To treat yourself and those around you with a cozy kindness and respect. THAT is a great model to follow. THAT kind of mentality transforms nations better than any politician can or ever will. So the question isn't "what can the U.S. learn from the Danish" it's "what can we learn from treating ourselves and others with respect."

Her: "Would you classify Hygge as a lifestyle trend or self help?" Him: "Neither" Her: Proceeds to say its a lifestyle anyways in the title of her video lmfao.

it was good to see a family sharing a meal so rare these days i have told my wife when we have children i insist on meals together as often as possible

Being from Quebec, i think facing the same kind of weather and long winter's Hygge is a survival mecanism to face the dark, cold winter !

From what i grew up with, hygge is just a feeling. You don't need anything special to feel it. It's not a culture or a way of living, it's just a feeling.

...Why do people in the comments seem to go out of their way to get triggered by even the most mundane of VICE videos??? Is this a joke I'm not in on or something??

This makes total sense in areas of the world where the weather (and also the people) are so cold you actually want to die. If you go to any area around the equator line, where there are beautiful beaches, everything is vibrant and human relations are way more simple, there is no need for this.

The fact that americans think they are free is hilarious.

in the u.s our hygge is fast food and racism.

Hygge as a Norwegian, was coming inside to my family, drink a cup of warm drink, while a hurrican blizzard howled outside. It's not complicated.

I never knew me & my family live a hygge lifestyle. Such hapinnes feels surreal.

We do that in France, its called lunch and dinner ^^

Vice have some active haters. 😂😂

Enjoying family and friends, taking time to relax, play, and be comfortable, sharing meals and each other's company, I love it.

how does Muslims come up in the comment section in a video about comfort food and family bonding at dinner ?

it is called "Gemuetlichkeit" in Germany. It's all over the world, except in America. America has no idea how to live well

I believe the most important aspect of the "happiness" experienced by Scandinavians is based on the social reforms that have been made throughout the last 100+ years

Another wonderful life moment today.... My girlfriend is an assistant director at our hospital here in Northern California...needless to say she can get bogged down by stress from her job quite frequently...well today I opened my RU-vid app and this video popped up so I watched it....and holy crap is this good timing because not only do I think this book will her wonders but her bday is ironically tomorrow! Heelllloooo Amazon prime!!!! Funny how some things in life just fall right into place sometimes ❤️❤️❤️

Omg when he said Bernie sanders 😂👍🏽

Hygge might be a danish concept, but many countries have similar moments of simple pleasures amongst family and friends. It's what makes life worth living and I feel sorry for people who never take the time to do this.

Never heard of it. I don't need a book to know that being "cozy", comfortable, well-fed, etc. are things that make me happy.

I love Denmark after spending several vacations there many years ago. Great country, worth living there.

It's interesting growing up in Scandinavia, hygge is not something you really reflect upon. It's just a part of what you do and how you arrange your life. I had a danish grandmother so there was a lot of hygge in our family, but it was not until I became an adult that this really was a concept on its own..

Hygge is a feeling of bliss its a feeling of cozyness its a feeling of u own the universe and u control it. it is everything and every feeling u can´t replikate it u can´t force u can only experince it and u cannot force it or buy it let me tell u a story about hygge.. (u have a drout no Water and u plant a pea plant the feeling of planting it is a start, then the rain come and u see the plant grow then u get a better feeling and now u start to understand hygge, but then the plant die and it is all gone. After some time the plant gives u the best peas of the World and u share em with everyone u love thats hygge)

I came to know about this concept today and i am already in love with it.....

As an alcoholic I've tried 'Hygge' living and it's ok as long as you don't run out of liquor. But there is that moment when your friends and family come into your 'Hygge' and tell you it's time for a shower and maybe even rehab. "Hygge" is also good for heroin addicts and then there's that moment when your friends and family come into your 'Hygge' and tell you it's time for a shower and maybe even rehab. It helps to be really rich in your 'Hygge' so you don't have to go outside and you can smoke lots of weed that's been delivered. But there is that moment when your friends and family come into your 'Hygge' and tell you it's time for a shower and maybe even rehab.

If Americans would stop spending their life pursuing $$$ and start pursuing hygge (or anything else really), they would be happier instantly.

Hygge is a soothing, unpretentious feeling.. Feeling grounded, safe, warm, relaxed....... Social security and free education helps a lot, folks 💚

In Asian countries, families eat together every day and that is considered normal. It is not an event which people glorify. It's a normal way of life. With all due respect, I find it quite weird as to why this is getting so much attention.

This guy keeps changing the definition... It's comfort. Coziness. Things that bring that warm, fuzzy feeling. It's not sinful pleasures.

Damn... Its not that difficult. "Hygge" is just a slow paced good time. That is all. Watching the sea with or without someone. Watching a movie while eating snacks... With or without someone. Its just having a good relaxing time. Pretty sure all cultures have the same thing... Us Danes just have a single universal word for such a situation. Making a book about it or calling it a lifestyle is putting waaay too much into it ;)

I love Vice ♥ there's so much to know about the world & I live these little investigations into some of those things that don't get a doco style interrogation of them

I wish life be that easy here in Brazil, selling most of my days as a vendor for a multinational. Even on the email they make clear that I am not one of them. Diego Rodrigues *VENDOR* (dont treat him with respect)

What's wrong with you guys? Why all the negative comments? This is a concept/term that is a huge part of our culture, and it's something we're extremely proud of. This is a video sharing a thing that we're proud of to the world - if you don't like, please move on. However, me as a dane, would define hygge as a word for all the unexplainable nice things you experience in your everyday life. Whenever you need a word for something nice, you can use hygge. When that being said, I don't think that we have monopoly on hygge, we just got a word for it.

if some one invites u for a HYGGE evening its gonna be a good evening! the world needs more hygge =)

that girl talking about how eating dinner without phones is so special smh, been in that game for years, made me an animal . but her dad i felt touched on it perfectly

in the netherlands we call hygge 'gezellig' it's strange to me that very few languages have a translation for it, seeing as it's such a normal but important word here

Man,i've been doing this hygge thing since the 80s without even knowing there's a word for it

Sooooo happy for these people

"At a certain point, additional income does not lead to improved quality of life." That's a very bold and true statement.

You had me at 'socialising for introverts'.

Watched this video and had no idea what Hygge was. I'm even more confused at the end of the video.

seems like they are pretty much describing the concept of chill. maybe less associated with drugs and more family friendly

this is everyday...very easy. Just chill. it's people and their minds that make life hard, it could be easy.

Fine, as a Dane I'll say, at least they did theirs to balance the usual hype arround this term. As Claus touches on 'hygge' is most definitely not an exclusively Scandinavian tradition - far from it really, if you ask me. Then again I do agree there is something to the way this word is in many both small and big ways an essential part of the Danish mentality. Furthermore seeing Vice spreading the word on Denmark's succes as a social-democratic nation akin to what The US would very likely become (or at least move towards) under Bernie Sanders is highly agreeable! Power to the people!

So a balanced life.

Bernie would have won.

So it's about family bonding and comfort. Nice. It's important to gather with close relatives after a hard day at work. Most people go to their room alone and get on the net. This thing is important for emotional balance.

2:50 shoutout to bernie! lol

you had me at "socializing for introverts".

send this dude to the south side or chicago to introduce some coziness. see how that goes

2:57 nailed it there

Now I wish Bernie was still in the elections

My grandparents always talked about Hygge and how they always try to keep it even while living in America. Catch me running away to Scandinavia

Scandinavia = Denmark confirmed

I think Mexico has lots of hygge. Like, they live on check to check but always throwing family/friends parties most days of the year. Like, just check out a “Posada”. Pretty much every street throws a party every nite and invites the whole naighborhood just prior to Christmas.

*CANADIAN HYGGEE* --- wear a 7 kg parka + watch hockey on outdoor giant screen in - 40 C + while eating poutine & drinking Molsons :-))

Biggest reason for being at the top consistently. Free healthcare as in 100% that means if you feel sick or get injured you don't stress about the bill that in some cases in the US hit hundreds of thousands or even millions just for one person. Next one is right to a home, if you are "homeless" you can get shelter instantly, there are rules that say "anyone has a right to a roof over their head" and not only that, they also give you money to live for and help find work if you don't have work. School is free, you can apply for any college and it won't cost a penny, if you are over 18 you even get paid monthly just for going to school, and if you live alone you will get even more. All the things people worry about in life, we don't. We choose to remove as many worries as possible, as said money only helps to a point, many millionaires have taken their own life.

Lol I love that he described the Danish happiness life style as if in America, Bernie Sanders was president :-) lol I love it :-)

Never realised I was into hygge my whole life .. wooo

“Denmark is what the us would look like if Bernie sanders was elected president.” SOLD

As a dane, the best way I would explain "hygge" is this: If the activity is "exciting", then it's "fun", but if it's "relaxing" then it's "hyggeligt" (hygge-like). Going to an amusement park and trying a dangerous rollercoaster is "fun", while going to a cafe and drinking hot chocolate is "hyggeligt".

any dutchies here? Hygge Sounds a lot like the word "gezellig" in Dutch. Is it the Same thing?

A guy named “Mike Wiking “. while talking about Hygge this is just perfect!

He is incredibly attractive. And I can fully attest that Americans are happier than the Finnish who are like number 5 On the list. At least in the south.