The Crisp Kiss of Autumn Hygge by the Ocean

Hygge, this Danish concept revolves around cosiness, comfort, and contentment – perfect for autumn coastal living.

As the summer days fade into the cooler breezes of the autumn season, it's the perfect time to prioritise self-care and unwind by the sea. Discover ways to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean. Join me as we delve into rituals and relaxation tips to help you tap into the healing powers of water, wind, and waves in the weeks ahead.  

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Coastal Hygge: Relax and Unwind

The change of seasons is the perfect time to focus inwards and make self-care a priority. When the cooler weather beckons us inside and the hustle and bustle of summer fades, autumn presents the ideal opportunity to devote time to reflection, mindfulness, and nurturing our mental and physical wellbeing.

As the air turns crisp, purposefully carve out time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. The serene setting of the coast is the ideal backdrop for practicing mindfulness as you tune into the present moment and the sensations around you.

Make relaxation and inner calm the focus during the quieter, introspective days of the autumn months. Declutter your mind, journal about your thoughts, feelings, and personal growth. Prepare warm drinks that induce tranquility, like honey-lavender tea, spiced apple cider, or pumpkin spice lattes. Enjoy the process of creating nourishing meals to boost your immunity and energise you from the inside-out. By intentionally prioritising self-care and dedicating time for your overall wellbeing, you can fully immerse yourself in the cosy hygge mood of the season.

Emerge renewed, refocused, and re-energised as you transition into the later seasons ahead. Read on for some tips and rituals to induce a little hygge by the coast…

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Beachside Hygge: The Art of Autumn Cosiness

Embrace hygge living by the seaside. For those unfamiliar with the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced "HOO-gah" - sounds kind of cool, doesn’t it!), it's the practice of creating cosy contentment and enjoying the simple pleasures in life, yes, and those little moments that create those warm memories for years to come. And what better place to channel hygge than the peaceful, natural beauty of the ocean as the season turns? Here some tips and rituals to ‘hygge’:

• Blanket up on blustery afternoons with a warm cup of tea in hand and gaze out over the churning surf. Let the rhythm of the waves calm your spirit as you snuggle into oversized jumpers and watch the clouds scud across the horizon. Feel the sea breeze, smell the salt air, and embrace living in the ‘here and now’.

• Take contemplative walks along the shore as the tang of salt air fills your lungs. Breathe deep and empty your mind as you soak up the sea spray and the cries of gulls overhead. Gather interesting seashells, seaglass and driftwood to create found-art projects when you get home.

• One of my favourite hygge rituals is taking a long, leisurely beach walk with my dog. We meander down the sandy shoreline, pausing often for him to sniff seaweed piles, chase shorebirds, and dart through the swirling foam as waves crash. We comb the beach for stray sticks to play fetch, and his exuberant energy gets me moving too.

• Harness the restorative power of the “blue mind” - the sense of calm, peace, and happiness we feel near water. Studies show that being by the ocean has meditative effects on our brains, reducing stress and promoting mindfulness. Rituals like beach yoga as the sun rises, barefoot walks along the shoreline, and soothing sound baths as waves crash allow us to fully immerse in the blue mindset.

• Savour sunset views. Bundle up, grab a cuddly blanket, thermos of cinnamon apple cider, and stale bread to feed the gulls as you watch watch the sunset paint the sky in brilliant hues of orange and red.

• Whip up a batch of hearty fish stew or clam chowder to warm you from the inside out on especially blustery days. The aroma of simmering seafood is the perfect way to infuse your home with fall comfort. Serve in chunky handmade mugs and savour the flavour. Here are some seafood cookbooks for some recipes; and some more beautiful cookbooks that I just adore. End your meal with a cup of spiced apple cider (ooooh I love it!).

• As darkness falls, keep the hygge going by lighting candles throughout your home (here are some of my favourite candles) and snuggling under a warm blanket with a good book (or read some travel books to plan new adventures) or watch a beach movie.

• Make your home a sanctuary. Adorn it with natural textures like woven blankets, wood furnishing, and nubby linens. Light candles scented with notes of sandalwood, musk, and sage or notes of saltwater, seaweed, and musk, transport you back to the calming atmosphere of the oceanfront to evoke the mood of the shoreline. Take a look at my curated ‘de-stress toolkit’ for a wellness home and some of my favourite oil blend formulas to create different scents such as calming, clean, purifying, uplifting, etc.

• With the chillier weather, it's the ideal time of year for a warming fire on the beach. Bundle up and gather friends around flickering flames to share laughter, conversation, play chillout music, and s'mores under the stars for an evening of cosy connections. Roast oysters, serve mulled wine and oh yes, my favourite - s'mores. Gaze at the moon's reflection on the water and let the hypnotic crash of waves soothe your senses.

Simple rituals rooted in nature help us relax, restore, and embrace the nourishing energy of the sea. This Danish hygge obsession with simple pleasures and creature comforts is the perfect antidote to blustery autumn weather by the sea. By infusing your coastal home with hygge elements, you'll create a true sanctuary to while away the coolest season.

Relax, unwind, and recharge. Let the serenity of the ocean guide you into tranquility and cosiness.

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In our quest for self-care, it’s important to nourish not just our bodies and minds, but our souls too. Carve out time to do something purely for the joy of it, like baking delectable coastal-inspired cookies studded with white chocolate chips and dried seaweed. Create a coastal table setting with seashells, starfish, and candles for an oceanic mood. Try a rejuvenating cold water swim to awaken your senses. Make time for leisure and play by gathering friends for board and card games, or playful conversations deep into the night. Don’t forget to simply be in the moment, enjoying friendships, food, fires, and the hypnotic beauty of the sea.

Immerse yourself fully and live hygge x x   

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You Might Also Be Interested In:

>> Coastal Hygge

>> Coastal autumn decorating tips

>> STAYCATION GUIDE

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Drift & Co