When the pandemic hit, our relationship to our homes changed because we were spending more time in them than ever before…and even as we’ve moved forward, I think we’ve realized the impact that our homes can have on our lives. Especially as we enter the dark days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, I thought that this was the perfect time to talk about how to create a safe, cozy and happy environment within our four walls. 

If you’re Danish, you know this feeling as hygge. And what better person to talk to about hygge – and creating a hygge home – than the author of the international sensation The Little Book of Hygge and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, Meik Wiking.

Meik has just released My Hygge Home, about how to create the feeling of hygge in our living spaces. It’s not about buying stuff. It’s about slowing down. Intentionality. Filling your space with a positive energy, and connection.

I have to tell you, I am a huge fan of Meik’s books…I was gifted his previous book, The Art of Making Memories and at first, I admit was skeptical. It was beautifully designed, but I’ve read so many books that are very surface level and I don’t feel like I learn much that actually changes my life. And then I tucked into the art of making memories, which I loved so much I bought it for all of my friends that holiday for two reasons: 1) the books are filled with hard science about living a happier life, and 2) the books are written in such a way that the very act of reading them shifts your mindset. 

And My Hygge Home will have you thinking VERY differently about your space. It’s a wonderful conversation – our last episode of 2022! – that will help create a positive mindset around happiness and enjoying every minute.

meik wiking on the allsorts podcast

About Meik Wiking:

MEIK WIKING is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and one of the leading experts in global happiness. Committed to understanding happiness, subjective well-being, and quality of life, Meik works with countries across the world to discover and explore global trends of life satisfaction. And only someone absolutely dedicated to happiness sits in coffee shops across the world counting peoples’ smiles. His first book, The Little Book of Hygge—which looked at the reasons why Denmark is the happiest nation in the world—became an international bestseller and will soon be published in 31 countries.

On this episode we chat about:

  • What is hygge, actually?
  • Why Meik devoted his career to researching happiness
  • The role of pleasure in Danish life
  • How eating together bolsters connection and happiness…and success for our kids
  • Exactly how much our homes contribute to our happiness (yes, there’s a number!)
  • The age that we are the least happy, according to science
  • Small changes that improve dinner with your kids
  • How lighting transforms behaviour
  • What to do during the darkest days of year to improve mood
  • The good news for all of us living in small spaces
  • The ABCs of mental health used in Denmark
  • How Meik achieves the balance between researching happiness and living it

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I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @meikwiking as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

Connect with Meik:

Website: https://www.meikwiking.com 

Instagram: @meikwiking

Episode Links + Recommendations:

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of The Allsorts Podcast, which is produced by myself and edited by Brian McCalman. I am grateful to live and work and learn on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Squamish, Musqueum, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. Find out which traditional territory you live on by visiting https://www.whose.land/en/