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5 spring self-care tips, using the Nordic concept of koselig

5 spring selfcare tips, using the nordic concept of koselig
5 spring self-care tips, using Nordic koselig abc17 - Getty Images

You've heard of hygge and come across colsie – but what about the Nordic concept of koselig? Sometimes spelt "koselige" or "koseligt" in Norwegian, it’s a word that describes a sense of cosiness and comfort, both physical and mental.

So, what makes it so special? Cath Kidston's lifestyle department explains: "Koselig is a Norwegian word that describes a feeling of warmth, cosiness, and contentment that arises from enjoying simple pleasures in life.

"It is not just about physical comfort, but also about creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that fosters a sense of belonging and happiness. In essence, it's about finding joy in the ordinary moments of life and savouring them fully."

Koselig is a feeling that will be perceived differently by different people, so don’t chase other people’s ideas of warmth and cosiness; instead, find what works best for you. That's how it becomes self-care.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can adopt a little bit of koselig into your life this spring...

The atmosphere of your home is crucial to getting the feeling of koselig just right, and you want to create a warm, inviting sense of ambience that suits your lifestyle and relaxation style. Start with the basics and plenty of luxuriously textured blankets, throws and rugs. We also suggest steering clear of your ceiling light and instead opting for the comforting glow of lamps and candles.

For many, the warm light and soothing flicker of a candle can create a sense of tranquillity. Cath Kidston's lifestyle department suggests: "If you’re feeling particularly anxious or deflated in the evening, light a few candles and monitor the impact on your mood."

collection of burning trendy candles different sizes and shapes with branches of cotton decorative wax candles for aromatherapy and relax set of isolated flat cartoon vector illustrations
Candles offer a warm, soothing glow. Rudzhan Nagiev - Getty Images

We recommend choosing scented candles with fragrances that soothe, such as those with notes of jasmine, mimosa, rose, freesia and peony. They're ideal for helping you to unwind and are perfect for spring.

The experts at Cath Kidston also suggest incorporating warm shades (such as yellow, orange, and terracotta) into your interior, as these colours breathe energy and positivity into your space. They say: "If you’re willing to make semi-permanent changes to your room’s interior, repaint your walls using these colours; alternatively, make smaller adjustments by adding a warm-toned rug, cushion, or vase."

Warmer tones are also the perfect antidote to grey and rainy spring days and create a cocoon-like effect.

It's well known that time spent in nature is not only time well spent, but also a wonderful way to improve our mood, cognitive function and sense of creativity. Whilst April showers might keep us indoors, there is much that can be done to bring the outside in.

To further enhance a koselig atmosphere, the experts at Cath Kidston recommend placing little pockets of nature throughout your space. They advise: "This could include plants in the living room, or furniture made from natural materials (such as wood, bamboo, or stone)."

If you work from home, try and position your desk to face a window, and make sure to get plenty of natural daylight by throwing back your blinds or curtains as much as possible. Natural light boosts your energy levels, whilst a view of the great outdoors is both soothing and grounding, even on stressful days.

We're all busy – it's just a fact. However, time spent with friends and family is crucial to maintaining our mental health and combats feelings of isolation – something which hits us particularly hard in the post-Christmas, hibernation months of spring.

We have to make time to fit time in with our loved ones – even a fifteen-minute dog walk with a friend is better than nothing. The Cath Kidston team explain: "Being around loved ones can help reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, as well as anxiety and stress."

You could:

  • Go for a meal in your favourite restaurant

  • Host a dinner party

  • Play board games

  • Have a movie night

  • Head out on a group walk or hike

  • Volunteer as a team

  • Start a DIY project together

When life becomes overwhelming, it can be hard to ease up and find time to unwind. However, putting time aside that is solely for you – whether it's crafting, yoga, or sitting down to a little peace and quiet – is vital in preventing burnout. This is where self-care comes in.

"Self-care can improve your physical health as well as protect your mental health, which is why it’s classed as a fundamental element of koselig," say the Cath Kidston team. At its core, self-care lowers stress levels, and by doing so, improves our health as a whole.

A classic form of self-care is a nice long soak. A hot, soothing bath not only encourages us to relax by forcing us to slow down, but it also has plenty of health benefits (including boosting your mood, improving sleep quality, and firing up your circulation). Add in essential oils, scented candles, and your favourite playlist - voila, you've got a spa-quality treat without leaving your home.

sewing tools for tailor work craft hobby set, tailoring equipment for needlework
Crafts are a creative form of self-care.Flashvector - Getty Images

Crafts are also a wonderful and koselig-friendly form of self-care. First and foremost, they're an absorbing way to spend time away from screens and help us to reach a meditative state. They're also an excellent way to lift our self-esteem.

You could also try journaling to track your thoughts and feelings, record memories, and plan future adventures. Journaling makes us feel more grateful, and also more grounded. Often, putting our thoughts on paper is incredibly freeing, and many people find it helpful in working through problems.

Although spring can be pretty hit-and-miss when it comes to weather - showers one minute, glorious sunshine the next – it's still worth getting out in the fresh air. You know what they say, there's no such thing as bad weather – only bad clothes!

Time spent in nature is a guaranteed way of sparking joy – an important part of koselig. The team at Cath Kidston agree: "Although the UK is notorious for its cold and miserable weather, being outside is great for your physical and mental health. Your body will burn more calories, you’ll expose yourself to vital vitamin D from the sunshine, and you can even develop a stronger immune system.

"Providing you wrap up warm and pack plenty of useful supplies, such as water and snacks, there’s no reason why you can’t still find joy in going for long walks, playing in the park with your kids, having a picnic on a Sunday afternoon...even a night of stargazing!"


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