Lykke – the Danish word for happiness – captures a deep and lasting sense of contentment that comes from focusing on what truly matters in life.
Meik Wiking’s The Little Book of Lykke, and The Scandinavia Guide to Happiness by Tim Rayborn, explain that this approach to happiness is rooted in community, balance, and savouring life’s simple pleasures.
While Denmark often tops the charts as one of the world’s happiest countries, the principles of lykke are universal and can be embraced wherever we are.
Here’s how to bring more lykke into our everyday lives:
Cultivate Community and Togetherness
At the heart of lykke is the value of togetherness – building strong social connections and nurturing a sense of community.
This aspect of happiness emphasises that we are social beings, and our relationships are crucial to our well-being.
Here are some practical ways to integrate more community into our lives:
Set up a book-sharing library
A community book-sharing library is a small, informal space where people can leave books they’ve finished reading and pick up new ones left by others.
Often set up as shelves or little free-standing boxes in public places, these libraries operate on a “take a book, leave a book” basis. They encourage a sense of community, promote a love of reading, and give books a second life.
Anyone can contribute, making it accessible and free for all. It’s a simple yet impactful way to share knowledge, stories, and foster connections within the community through the joy of reading.
Host Regular Gatherings
Whether it’s a casual dinner, a game night, or a monthly barbecue with neighbours, hosting regular gatherings can create opportunities for deepening connections.
It doesn’t have to be elaborate – a simple home-cooked meal and a welcoming atmosphere can make all the difference. This fosters a sense of belonging and builds a supportive network of friends and family.
Join Local Groups or Clubs
Look for opportunities to connect with others through shared interests. This could be a local book club, sports team, or volunteer organisation.
Participating in activities like these allows you to bond over common passions, build new friendships, and meet people you may not encounter otherwise.
Shared activities give you a reason to gather with others regularly, helping to create a sense of community and belonging.
These interactions can also boost your mental well-being, as feeling connected to others can reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a support network that enriches your social life and overall happiness.
Practise Small Acts of Kindness
Sometimes, a simple gesture can have a big impact on someone’s day. Offering to help a neighbour, leaving a thoughtful note, or bringing a homemade treat to a colleague are all small ways to spread positivity.
Holding the door open, complimenting a stranger, donating clothes to a local shelter, or surprising a friend with their favourite coffee are other simple gestures that can brighten someone’s day.
These acts not only uplift others but can also boost your own sense of well-being and create a ripple effect of kindness in your community.
Prioritise Face-to-Face Time
While technology has made it easier to stay in touch, in-person interactions are irreplaceable when it comes to forming deep connections.
Make time for face-to-face conversations with loved ones, even if it’s just a walk in the park or a coffee date.
Being fully present in these moments can strengthen your relationships and create lasting memories.
Focus on Physical and Mental Well-being
Another key element of lykke is maintaining a healthy balance between body and mind. This involves taking care of your physical health, managing stress, and creating a peaceful environment that allows you to recharge.
Here are some tips to foster well-being:
Incorporate Movement into Your Day
Physical activity doesn’t have to mean intense workouts or long gym sessions. Walking or cycling to work, taking a stroll during lunch, using a standing desk, or joining a local yoga or Tai Chi class are all simple ways to get moving.
The Scandinavia Guide to Happiness also adds Nordic walking to the mix. Derived from skiing and trekking, its use of poles engages more of the body making it an excellent for all ages.
Exercise releases endorphins, which can help lift your mood and reduce stress. For the Danes, cycling is a way of life, offering both health benefits and a way to connect with nature.
In Copenhagen, 45% of all commutes from work or education are by bike. If we look at the people working and living in Copenhagen, the number rises to 63% of commutes. ~ The Little Book of Lykke.
As well as this, Wiking advises us to take the stairs, have a walking meeting, and park as far away from the supermarket entrance as possible.
Practise Mindfulness and Gratitude
Mindfulness can help you stay grounded and appreciate the present moment, a key aspect of lykke.
This could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths during a busy day, noticing the sounds of nature during a walk, or keeping a gratitude journal.
Writing down three things you’re grateful for each day can shift your focus from what’s missing to what’s already abundant in your life.
Or you could try meditation. According to The Scandinavia Guide to Happiness:
Meditation goes hand in hand with happiness and can be a wonderful way to help achieve inner calm and contentment. A calmer mind will translate into a m ore relaxed body, and getting rid of stress is one of the key ways of improving one’s health.
Create a Cosy Space for Relaxation
The Danish concept of hygge – which is all about creating a cosy, comfortable environment—can play a role in your mental well-being.
Design a space in your home where you can unwind, whether it’s a reading nook with soft lighting, a warm blanket, or a corner filled with your favourite plants.
A relaxing environment can help you recharge after a long day and create a sense of calm.
Set Boundaries for Work-Life Balance
Achieving lykke also involves finding balance between work and leisure. Set boundaries to ensure that work doesn’t overshadow personal time.
Take regular breaks during the day, disconnect from work emails after hours, and make time for activities that bring you joy outside of your professional life.
This balance can help prevent burnout and leave more room for the things that make you genuinely happy.
You can also free up your time by batch cooking, staying away from time stealers like social media, and schedule a time you are going to start a task and a time you are going to finish so it does not eat into the rest of your day.
Talk about your mental health
Talking about your mental health is essential for well-being and emotional resilience. Opening up to trusted friends, family, or a professional can relieve the burden of carrying your struggles alone.
It helps create a support network, where you can share experiences, gain new perspectives, and feel understood.
Discussing your feelings openly can also reduce the stigma around mental health, making it easier for others to seek help when needed. Even small conversations about daily stressors can make a difference.
Rethink Your Relationship with Money
While financial security is important, the principles of lykke suggest that happiness is not solely dependent on wealth.
Instead, it’s about how you use money to create meaningful experiences and maintain a sense of security. Here’s how you can align your financial habits with lykke:
Spend on Experiences, Not Things
Research shows that experiences tend to bring more lasting happiness than material possessions. Rather than spending on the latest gadgets or fashion trends, consider investing in experiences that bring you joy.
This could be a weekend getaway, a concert with friends, or a cooking class. Consider taking a road trip to explore a nearby town, attending a local art or music festival, trying out a wine or beer tasting, or booking tickets to a theatre performance.
Other ideas include going on a guided nature hike, joining a pottery workshop, signing up for a dance class, having a picnic in a scenic park, or spending a day at a museum.
These experiences create lasting memories, enrich your life, and often bring more joy and fulfilment than material possessions ever could.
Great experiences give us better value for money overall, because they speak directly to our emotions and sense of well-being. Even just splurging on the occasional nice meal will be of great value, especially if it’s something shared with others. ~ The Scandinavia Guide to Happiness.
Focus on Financial Security
While accumulating wealth isn’t the goal, having a sense of financial stability is crucial for peace of mind. Create a budget that reflects your priorities, build an emergency fund, and reduce unnecessary expenses.
This doesn’t mean sacrificing everything you enjoy, but rather being mindful of where your money goes.
Consider automating savings, investing for long-term goals, and paying off high-interest debts to create a stronger financial foundation.
Feeling secure about your finances can free you from stress and allow you to focus on other aspects of life, such as relationships, personal growth, and pursuing your passions without worry.
Value Time Over Money
One of the secrets to Danish happiness is their focus on time affluence – having the time to do the things they love. Instead of striving for more hours at work or higher pay cheques, consider how you can make time for meaningful activities.
This might mean saying no to extra commitments or simplifying your lifestyle to allow more space for hobbies, relationships, and relaxation.
Money is important, and job security is important, but if you’re only living to work, your happiness is going to plummet, and fairly quickly. ~ The Scandinavia Guide to Happiness.
Find Joy in the Everyday
Lykke teaches us that happiness often lies in the small, everyday moments rather than grand achievements.
By shifting our focus to the simple pleasures in life, we can create a more content and fulfilling existence:
Celebrate the Little Wins
Take time to recognise and celebrate small achievements, whether it’s finishing a good book, cooking a new recipe, posting the Amazon return that’s been sitting in your hallway for a week, or finally sorting out your sock drawer. Even the smallest accomplishments can make a difference.
Acknowledging these small victories can create a sense of progress, boost your mood, and remind you that you’re moving forward, no matter how minor the steps might seem.
Celebrating these moments helps build positive momentum and encourages a mindset that appreciates growth and effort, which can be especially uplifting on challenging days.
Practise Intentional Living
Focus on what truly matters to you, rather than being influenced by societal expectations. This could involve decluttering your home, being more mindful about the commitments you take on, or choosing to spend your time on activities that align with your values.
It might mean setting boundaries in relationships, prioritising self-care, or dedicating time to hobbies that bring you joy.
Intentional living is about making conscious choices that reflect your priorities and help you create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. By focusing on what genuinely enriches your life, you can find greater satisfaction and peace in your daily routine.
Savour Simple Pleasures
Make time to savour life’s simple joys, whether it’s enjoying a morning coffee, listening to your favourite music, or watching the sunset.
Take a leisurely walk in nature, read a chapter of a good book, cuddle with your pet, light a scented candle, take a warm bubble bath, savour a home-cooked meal, plant flowers in your garden, enjoy the warmth of a cosy blanket on a chilly evening, or spend a few moments stargazing.
These small, mindful moments can add a sense of peace and contentment to your day, helping you appreciate the beauty in everyday life.
Embracing a Happier Life with Lykke
Bringing lykke into your life is not about changing everything at once or striving for perfection. It’s about making small, intentional changes that prioritise well-being, community, and balance.
Whether it’s creating closer connections, focusing on self-care, or rethinking your relationship with money, each step towards lykke can help create a richer, more joyful life.
The principles of lykke remind us that true happiness is not a destination but a journey – one that we can all embark on, wherever we are.
