Are you familiar with “hygge?” The Danish word roughly translates to “warm coziness” and has been a design + health and wellness trend in the US for a few years now. With an emphasis on “enjoying the little things” like comfy clothes, warm socks + blankets, and steamy mugs of tea, it’s easy to see its appeal. Pro tip: It’s pronounced “hoo-gah.”
Keeping that in mind, here are 15 ways to practice hygge locally this year:
1. Brew a cup of tea. Drink from the healing benefits of nature with a tea from Wildflower Tea Shop & Apothecary. The shop itself is also a peaceful getaway to sit and be present while you enjoy your tea.
2. Take a relaxing drive through the mountains. The Raccoon Mountain Reservoir Loop has lush views of the mountain’s scenery.
3. Relax with a warm bath. Pick up some bath bombs or bath salts from Good Fortune Soap & Spa for a therapeutic experience.
4. Light a candle. Splurge on the Darkwolf Alchemy Temple Garden candle (the scent is divine). You can sometimes catch this candle company at local markets, or you can pick a candle up at Joli Jardin Flower Shop. We also love scents from The Rustic House.
5. Add some greenery to your space. Pick out a house plant at The Secret Garden, Plant Candy Collective, Signal Mountain Nursery, or The Barn Nursery.
6. Cook up a bowl of your favorite soup. You can pick up some local ingredients from area farmers at the Main Street Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
7. Get outside and connect with nature and local wildlife. Take a guided class with Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center to learn more about Chattanooga’s native species.
8. Curl up with a blanket and a good book. Stop by The Book & Cover, Winder Binder, or Allgood’s to pick up your next read. Need some local recs? Check out our list of books written by authors with ties to Chattanooga.
9. Take a nap. Stop by Yves Delorme in Warehouse Row for all your bedding needs.
10. Enjoy a cozy dinner and drinks. We suggest stopping by Rosecomb Bar or Boccaccia for a cozy, candlelit evening.
11. Eat a Danish pastry with your morning coffee. Make a stop by Koch’s Bakery to pick up a pastry (if you can get your hands on a Danish Kringle, it’s a must). Stop by next door at Mad Priest Coffee Roasters for your cup of coffee.
12. Take a slow stroll through an art museum. Take in each piece of art at the Hunter Museum of American Art — we recommend seeing Amy Pleasant’s “Passing Through” exhibit that is currently on display.
13. Pick up a new hobby that brings you joy. Check out some of the classes available at The Chattery for a hobby that might interest you.
14. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Head over to The Hot Chocolatier and choose from one of the many hot chocolate flavors the spot offers (we love the Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon).
15. Have a picnic. Take advantage of the fresh air and enjoy your meal outside. Don’t want to prepare your picnic yourself? Have the folks over at Southern Pearl Picnics or Scenic City Picnics take care of the preparation for you.
