It’s mid-February. Which means if you’re in the Northern part of the U.S. like me – you’re forking cold. Brrrrr.

I don’t mean that it’s been a little bit chilly – I’m talking bone-chilling, never-feeling-like-you’ll-be-warm-again-cold. The kind of cold where you just can’t stop shivering no matter how many layers you have on.

Having endured subzero and single digit temperatures in my neck of the woods for the past few days while wishing like hell I could get back outside and not feel like I was about to turn into a human popsicle within minutes, I realized that instead of bitching about the situation I could try to make the best of it.

Enter: Hygge!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you probably have already heard of Hygge, but if for some odd reason you haven’t it’s a Danish word that means cosiness or contented mood. It’s basically a Nordic-inspired restorative practice movement that emphasizes a sense of coziness, simplicity, and being present. Which can be a much-needed salve in our constantly moving, stressful society.

So how can Millennials get Hygge with it until Spring? Here are a few easy-to-implement suggestions!

Light Lots of Candles

Candlelight is a key part of Hygge, which helps keep your home lit but also creates a much more cozy and homey vibe than lamps do. The soft, rustic, and romantic light is instrumental in setting a more Hygge mood. Just make sure you don’t leave them unattended, and blow them all out when you’re done with them!

Snuggle Under Blankets While Enjoying Relaxing Activities

I have many blankets around our house – from fleece to down to heated to everything in between – to make sure that no matter what the temperature is like outside, my family and I are comfortable when we’re indoors under one or more of our many blankets. Couple that with spending time on relaxing activities like playing board games, completing puzzles, reading books, and/or crafting projects like knitting or crochet and you have yourself a recipe for the ultimate in Hygge comfort.

Bake Tasty Treats and Sip Warm Drinks

An important part of Hygge is imbibing in comforting food and drinks, ideally in the afternoon or early evening hours, whether it be cookies or cake or hot cocoa or tea. Bonus points if you share in the bounty with your family and/or friends. There’s nothing quite like sipping a hot beverage and enjoying a sweet treat in the afternoon while reading a book or chatting with loved ones.

Layer Up and Get Outside

Yes, Hygge mostly involves staying inside doing cozy-related activities like reading and sipping a hot beverage. But did you know that another key part of Hygge is going outside and getting fresh air – no matter the weather (except when it’s severe)? The thinking behind this philosophy is that there is no bad weather, only not dressing properly for it.

To successfully participate in this philosophy, invest in good quality layers and winter wear to make sure you’re comfortable outside for a bit, whether you’re walking around the neighborhood or taking a lengthier hike through the woods. In warmer seasons, invest in a good quality raincoat and boots so you’re not stuck indoors all day.

Need additional Hygge inspiration? How to Hygge is a great resource (and one that I actually own!), as well as The Little Book of Hygge. In the meantime, stay warm, stay cozy, and let’s enjoy these next few weeks of colder weather before the daffodils start erupting from the earth again.