Connecticut this time of year is absolutely beautiful. We’ve had a string of abnormally warm October days and – bonus! – the weekends have been glorious. Bright sun, comfortable temperatures, sparkling blue sky as a backdrop to the leaves turning yellow and orange. The beach where I walk never looks the same twice: sea grasses change color, racing clouds lend moving shadow, the water may be whitecapped or still as glass.
As you can tell, I bask in these images — even when, in the dark of winter, they’re just on my phone’s camera roll.
We are approaching the holiday season, which quickens the pulse and fills the calendar. Amid the joyful scenes and heartwarming gatherings, most of us are also heading into the darkest time of year, when daylight is short and cold keeps us indoors.
Maybe it’s a good time to explore some fascinating customs around the world that highlight the universal need for calm. Here are a few concepts that can be practiced by anyone looking for a moment of peace or to quell anxiety:
Fika in Sweden: Meeting a friend over coffee and a baked treat is more than a simple pleasure. Swedes ‘have a fika’ (ta en fika) to connect, to pause. Being present in your companion’s company is as important as the kanelbullar (cinnamon bun) you may share. This comforting tradition can happen anywhere – in a patisserie or quiet office space.
Laughter Yoga in India: This now-global phenomenon was started in Mumbai by Dr. Madan Kataria 30 years ago. We’ve all heard that ‘laughter is the best medicine.’Dr. Kataria postulated that our bodies benefit even from laughter that’s intentional rather than spontaneous. Gentle movements and breathing coupled with chants that mimic laughter can lead to relaxation, reduced stress, and better sleep.
Shinrin-yoku in Japan: “Forest bathing,” or Shinrin-yoku, is as simple as walking among the nearest trees. But it can lead to profound changes to your state of mind, as you breathe in the fresh air, observe the light through the leaves, listen to birdsong, and generally let nature blot out the noisy world. Surrounding yourself in nature is a sensory experience that lowers stress and lifts your mood.
Keyif in Turkey: Turks have a centuries-old word for the art of idleness. While it may suggest simply doing nothing, there is more to keyif. It evokes a stillness from inside oneself, an occasion of quiet introspection, of tranquility amid the noise of the day. It might involve sharing a coffee or merely taking a solitary break. Savoring simple moments of pleasing idleness breaks the wire of constant tension and promotes contentment.
Hyugge in Denmark: Now with its own entry in the Oxford English Dictionary, the word hyugge has become fairly well known outside of Denmark. The concept is certainly embraced worldwide. Comfort. Well-being. Equilibrium and balance – often manifested by cozy warmth in a dark Danish winter. While this feeling can be elusive during hectic times of stress, attempts to capture it may involve soft blankets, hot chocolate on a familiar couch, or an informal moment with a loved one.
Common themes of nature, connection, and stillness thread through these traditions. No matter what the season, we all need an escape to peace from time to time. I think I’ll grab a pair of coffees and take a leisurely beach walk with a close friend. And if we end up laughing, that might just be heaven.
Find country-specific content on culture, customs, and mental health (now in 100 destinations!) in Living Abroad’s International Relocation Center.
Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group
