The Danes, considered to be among the happiest people in the world, have enjoyed hygge for hundreds of years. Denmark's high standard of living, decent healthcare, gender equality, accessible education and equitable distribution of wealth all contribute to the measurable happiness of the Danish people. But a determined pursuit of happiness doesn't necessarily lead to wellbeing. At the heart of Danish life, and at the core of hygge, is a deeper stability of contentment.

When we are content, our daily actions are infused with a quiet satisfaction that we share with those around us. We become aware of and responsible for other people's well being and they, in turn, for ours. Hygge captures a way of being with other people, caring for them and ourselves.

We don't hygge to be content, we find contentment in hygge. Hygge is... about pleasure, presence and participation. It's... the understanding that if we are to wholeheartedly participate in life, we are entitled to small islands of calm.

He who knows contentment is rich. -Lao Tzu

To hygge is to create a harmonious atmosphere, a feeling of warmth, a mood of contentment. Hygge is freely used to describe rooms, buildings, homes, parties, people and activities.