Whether you’re working on bouncing back from generosity burnout, aiming for better work-life balance, or trying to invite a little more luck into your life this year, hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is the concept you need to know about. The Danish trend is all about enjoying life’s most *simple* pleasures, like spending time with friends, treating yourself to delicious dishes, and curling up in a cozy nook. Ahh, bliss! It’s super easy to embrace hygge at home (hello, IKEA hacks!) and work. Scroll on for six things you can do to totally transform your daily grind.
1.Personalize your space. Heading to your desk shouldn’t be something you dread! Make the most of your space by filling it with things that light you up inside, like a framed photo or two of people you love, an inspirational candle with your fave quote, and a couple of books.
2. Go green, girl. Love the feel-good vibes that come with being outside? Bring a bit of the greenery inside, and deck out your desk with a vase of fresh flowers — we love the simple, inexpensive bouquets at Trader Joe’s — a small fern, or a couple of succulents. You’ll love the instant mood boost.
3. Fall in love with lunchtime. Hygge is all about indulging in a tasty, enjoyable meal. Make a conscious effort to use your lunch break to eat with other people, instead of eating alone at your desk. Take it up a notch by treating yourself to a new restaurant every week or month, and make it a point to invite colleagues you might not know super well. Forging friendships is always more fun over good food.
4. Keep it cozy. You might not be able to bring your mermaid blanket to work, but you can create a cozier space by keeping extra layers nearby. Bring your favorite sweater, comfy cape, or a chunky cardigan to work, plus an extra pair of socks or a scarf. This will make keeping warm on cold days (or when the AC is on full blast in the summer) a total cinch.
5. Take a real break. Since hygge is all about enjoying simple pleasures, it’s the perfect excuse to take mid-morning and afternoon breaks. Use yours to take a walk around the block, do some stretches, chat with coworkers, flip a few pages, or even make a fresh cup of tea.
Reach for a specific blend to make the most of your hygge moment of bliss: If you’re having a tough morning, a refreshing cup of green tea with mint can help you hit the reset button. A sip of energizing gunpowder green tea is perfect before sitting down for some goal setting or career planning. Ready to unwind? Black tea with vanilla can help you relax at the end of a long day.
6. Get the work gear you LOVE. Feel bad about pulling the trigger on the pricey carryall you’ve been eyeing — even though you’ve been nailing it at the office? Still carrying your laptop or uniform to work in the backpack you’ve had since undergrad? It might be time to treat yourself and upgrade your gear, bringing you a little bit of extra joy when you get ready to go to work every day.
Want to channel some seriously authentic Danish vibes? Skagen’s dreamy leather bags and functional backpacks have been specially designed for a better, less complicated life. They’re pretty much perfect, and we want them all!
How do you incorporate hygge into your life? Show us the deets on Instagram @BritandCo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
(Photos via Getty)
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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