Hygge and the Workplace

Hi everyone, it’s Sally and it’s that time of the week where we discuss all things hygge. This time I thought we’d have a think about how we can use hygge at work. Yep, that’s right. It’s not just solely for when we are at home, but we can also use it within the workplace. It seems a perfectly natural thing to do, seeing as a lot of us spend almost more time at work than we do at home, though this year, there hasn’t been a lot of distinction between home and work with three lockdowns to be lived through!

So let’s have a think about the benefits of bringing hygge into the workplace. Well for a start, recent EU findings have found that Britons work the most hours in Europe, clocking up on average a total of 42 hours and 18 minutes a week. The Danes on the other hand, work the shortest amount of hours, on average a total of 37 hours and 48 minutes. This doesn’t make them the laziest workforce however, but one of the happiest and they are also more productive, more efficient and happier when they are at work.

So how can we make the workplace more hygge? Well let’s think about lighting to begin with. Natural light is by far and away the best form of lighting to work in. If it is possible, work at a desk that is near a window, and turn the fluorescent lighting off. Fluorescent lighting and too much exposure to it can lead to migraines, headaches, eyestrain, stress and anxiety and sleeping disorders. If you work at a laptop or desktop computer for any length of time (and a lot of us do now!) adjust the brightness to avoid glare and take regular breaks away from them, have a walk round and blink your eyes to help moisturise them and to give them a break.

Think about the colours and textures of the surrounding furniture and decor. Dark, sombre colours can have an effect on your mood, as can brash, bright colours. Introduce different textures and try and introduce more natural items made of wood, wool, cotton to really help you feel comfortable. Cushions and throws on chairs are a great way to do this.

Bring nature into the office or workspace. Plants can be placed on desks or on windowsills or if you want to think bigger, stand a large plant in a well lit corner of the room. Open the windows if it’s warm enough and draw back window coverings as wide as they can go and let the natural light flood in. Hearing voices or sounds of nature from outside can have a really beneficial effect on your mood.

Try and keep your workspace decluttered and tidy. This not only helps you to be more organised and efficient as you’ll know where everything is and it will look less ‘hectic’. You can always have a photo of family and/or friends sitting on your desk.

Just like being at home, you also need some private space where you can go and take a break and relax from work just for a few moments without being disturbed. It can be a space at the back of the office, or even a bench sat underneath a tree. It is important to let your colleagues know that when you’re heading off to this quiet space, that they don’t come and ‘bother’ you, but that they know that you are having a few quiet moments, a quiet cup of coffee works wonders for mental relaxation.

Make sure you are comfortable, a good office chair and plenty of breaks is the minimum. And clothing, even if you have to wear a suit to work, make sure it fits well and if you wear high heels, give your feet a break every now and again and take them off for a few minutes.

Taking hygge to work however, isn’t all about comfy throws and chairs and lovely lighting, it’s also a state of mind. A few things to think about are:

Be kinder to others - give them a compliment when they do well, really listen to what they have to say, give them your full attention and make them feel part of the team, it really boosts confidence and team morale.

Encourage working together as a team - create an atmosphere that encourages brainstorming and idea sharing without being judged, include everyone and make sure they know their ideas are equally as important.

Practice mindfulness - by focussing on the present moment rather than on what has gone before or what you have to do, eases the stress and anxiety and brings a sense of calm, peace and purpose to your work. A few small things to try are: take a few two minute breaks throughout the day, check in on how you are feeling and take some long, slow, deep breaths to help calm yourself; accept the fact there are things you won’t be able to change, this leads to less stress and problems if you live in the present and realise that it’s not always going to be like this; practice gratitude. Our minds and thoughts are naturally wired to think negatively, so it’s a great idea to try and focus on the good things that occur during the day, again, being in the present moment helps you see these things, and really celebrate those rather than focusing on what has gone ‘wrong’; cultivate humility. People that are humble know that they are good at what they do and don’t feel the need to tell everyone that they are. Their self worth is good and it is enough for them to know that they are good enough, they don’t have to shout it from the rooftops. Humble people also tend to help out others more readily, as they are not looking for instant praise.

Take regular breaks, we have discussed this already. It’s good for you mentally and physically. Set boundaries for yourself. Be as effective as you can but don’t take on any more than you think you can fit into your working day. Don’t start taking on more work that needs to be done at the weekend in order to get it finished. Instead, if it needs to be done, try and get more help, share out the jobs, factor in the work time needed and organise the time before starting or even taking on the task. Listen to music, it’s really good for helping with mood.

At home, you can also achieve a good balance. Unplug tech devices to give yourself a break, take up a hobby to give yourself some me time, get support from family and friends. Talk to them and share your ideas and worries. They say a problem shared is a problem halved! And be good to your body. Get exercise, it helps both mind and body, eat healthily. This doesn’t necessarily mean go on a strict diet, but eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, although a little of what you fancy also does you good! And lastly, get a good night’s sleep. This is the time when your body is allowed to rest, relax and rejuvenate.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this and can take some tips away with you into the place where you work, either at home or in another place.

Next time, we’ll have a look at hygge within relationships. Until then, take care, stay safe and peaceful wishes.