Ranked the second happiest country, Denmark lives a lifestyle of hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) which is an atmosphere of ultimate coziness.

Night Market in Denmark on Canal — Market in Denmark on Canal. Gamze Savaş. CC0

The Danes define hygge as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” This way of life puts intention behind the little things, aiming to encapsulate the warm feeling of a hug. So, is this cozy way of life the secret to joy? Maybe not, but it can sure make life a little more magical.

Danish culture revolves around this word; for example, being told your home is cozy is one of the biggest compliments a Dane can receive. Hygge goes deeper than a feeling; it's a way of life that prioritizes finding joy and comfort in everything you do, spending money on experiences rather than material items, being in a peaceful headspace, making intentional choices and spending time with your loved ones.

Natural Light Living Room with Plants. Cihan Yüce. CC0

The tradition of hygge began as a way to find joy over the Christmas holiday, where long, cold winter days often limit sunlight to just seven hours a day. Since the Viking Age, Scandinavians have used celebrations and traditions to bring warmth into the cold. Today, Danes incorporate extravagant Christmas markets filled with hot drinks, fires, candles and twinkle lights to convey the ultimate cozy feeling and make the winters as pleasant as possible. Inside the home, warm knit blankets, a fireplace with fresh wood crackling, fuzzy socks, natural wood decor, freshly baked cookies and a good book create a cozy ambiance. It's all about doing the little things that make you happy.

Coffee Cup with Candle Light. Gamze Savaş. CC0

However, this cozy feeling does not have to stop after winter; it's simple to incorporate into your daily life. There are many ways to bring this lifestyle into the summer months by simply implementing quality time into your daily life. This can be done by picnicking in the park on a sunny day, going to a farmers market, watching the sunset by the lake or laying on the grass and making animals out of the clouds — any activity that brings people together and a smile to your face.

So, does the hygge mindset really lead to happiness? I guess it's hard to say; we just know the country in second place for global happiness surely has a very cozy, slow-paced, family-oriented and loving way of life.