Winter woes in Australia: Combatting seasonal blues with Hygge

Influenced by the cold weather, shorter days, and longer nights, new research has revealed Aussie moods are taking a dramatic downturn as the mercury drops. A new national survey from Australia’s leading meal kit delivery service, HelloFresh, shows more than half of the nation (53%) is experiencing ‘Winter Woes’, impacting our comfort levels, motivation, and eating habits. With 41% of Australians associating the seasonal shift with sadness and loneliness, the data has highlighted the biggest barriers to achieving comfort and satisfaction in winter as a lack of sunlight (61%), cold homes and poor heating (53%), and our inability to spend time outside (50%). According to Positive Psychologist and Founder of the Happiness Institute, Dr. Tim Sharp, Aussies should consider looking to the icy isles of Scandinavia for inspiration this Winter by adopting the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced ‘Hyoo-guh’). Dr. Tim Sharp explains: “As an outdoorsy nation, our transition from autumn to winter can be particularly tough as we grapple with the reality of spending more time indoors. What we see as a result is an increase in those feelings of sadness, loneliness, and frustration, as reflected in HelloFresh’s research. Hygge encourages us to reframe how we feel about our time indoors and the winter months by finding comfort in the discomfort and embracing coziness to boost our moods and make the cooler months more bearable.” Fortunately, simple adjustments to our environment and habits can help us traverse those barriers to the comfort we all feel. Creating cosy and inviting spaces in our homes with… Read More