日常英语 享受快乐冬天的秘密是什么？

在白昼渐短，天气转寒的季节，人们很难保持在晴朗夏日时常能感受到的快乐心情。每年，丹麦人都会经历漫长而阴沉的冬日，可是丹麦却被认为是世界上最幸福的国家。你想享受一个舒适而快乐的冬天吗？

 

Imagine this scene: it's blowing a gale outside, you're snuggled up on the sofa under a warm duvet, chatting and reminiscing with your closest friends. 

 

That content, snug feeling has a name in Danish – 'hygge'. And, as Denmark recently won the title of 'happiest country in the world', the rest of the world is becoming more and more interested in finding ways to embrace this concept.

 

'Hygge' - originally from a Norwegian word meaning 'wellbeing' - doesn't have an exact equivalent in English. It's often translated as cosiness, or as blogger Anna West told the BBC, ''cosiness of the soul." But, as translator ToveMaren Stakkestad explains: "Hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt."

 

Essentially, Hygge involves creating a warm, cosy atmosphere and enjoying it with your loved ones. Danish winters are long and dark and so achieving 'hygge' is particularly relevant during this season. A typical 'hygge' activity during winter could be, enjoying delicious homemade food and light-hearted conversation with friends – preferably in the warm glow of candlelight; or maybe sipping a glass of mulled wine in the hot tub after a day spent skiing.

 

However, Hygge isn't only confined to the bleak winter months – it can also describe that warm, fuzzy feeling you get after a walk through a forest with friends on summer's day or a family barbecue in the park.

 

The concept of 'hygge' is currently taking the world by storm with more and more people becoming obsessed with achieving a state of wellbeing.  Articles, books and stocking fillers, full of tips on how to achieve hygge, are hitting the market. Although, some believe this has become a marketing and advertising ploy, the benefits of staying happy cannot be underestimated. So, as the winter nights draw in, instead of hibernating, get into your favourite onesie, bake some cookies and curl up by a roaring fire with a good book. And if you can do this with friends and family, even better - hygge is meant to be shared.