Embracing Winter’s Cozy Embrace: America’s Love Affair with “Hygge”

As winter’s chill settles across America, a remarkable trend is emerging: two-thirds of Americans confess they’d happily “hibernate the entire winter like a bear.” This finding comes from a recent survey of 2,000 U.S. adults commissioned by Naturepedic, which reveals an overwhelming 86% of Americans embrace the Danish concept of “hygge” – the art of creating comfort and contentment through coziness. The average American dedicates more than half of winter (56 out of 90 days) to pursuing this cozy lifestyle, transforming their homes into sanctuaries against the cold. Despite this enthusiasm, 71% believe they could make their homes even cozier, rating their current cozy factor at just 6.5 out of 10, suggesting Americans are still on a journey to perfect their winter retreats.

What exactly constitutes coziness in the American imagination? For nearly half the respondents (48%), it means curling up on the couch, while 46% associate it with layers of blankets. Many find coziness in life’s quieter pleasures: enjoying silence (42%), sleeping in (41%), and preparing warm beverages like fresh coffee, tea, or hot chocolate (40%). The cozy lifestyle extends beyond these simple comforts, with 37% defining it as not leaving home during cold weather, 35% enjoying the ambiance of candles, and 34% putting on relaxing music. Family time matters too, with a third of respondents including spending time with loved ones in their definition of coziness. For many, the ultimate cozy indulgence involves catching up on favorite “cozy shows” – from the drama of Grey’s Anatomy to the comfort of Friends, Gilmore Girls, and Hallmark movies, to the perennial favorite Law & Order. This dedication to comfort runs so deep that nearly three in four Americans (72%) admit they would cancel social plans if feeling too comfortable to leave their cozy havens.

“Winter is when families crave warmth and connection most,” explains Arin Schultz, Chief Growth Officer at Naturepedic and father of four. “Whether that’s reading to your kids inside a blanket fort or sipping your morning coffee in bed, these small comfort rituals we have can help us feel better and sleep better when colder weather and shorter days leave us feeling fatigued.” This insight highlights how the pursuit of coziness isn’t merely about physical comfort but serves as a psychological buffer against winter’s challenges. Americans have identified specific times when coziness reaches its peak: weekends are considered the ideal days for coziness by 63% of respondents, with 3 p.m. identified as the magic hour when peak coziness can be achieved. Once settled into their cozy environments, Americans report it takes just 48 minutes on average to feel genuinely relaxed.

Perhaps most significantly, the study reveals the profound connection between coziness and quality sleep – a crucial health factor often challenged during winter months. A substantial 76% of Americans report getting better quality sleep when they feel cozy beforehand. The benefits don’t end there: 75% tend to stay asleep longer, and 72% wake up feeling more refreshed after going to bed in a cozy state. This sleep advantage provides important psychological armor, with 68% believing that a good night’s sleep helps them better face cold winter days. “Getting good quality sleep is important year-round, but can be a lot harder to do in the winter months,” Schultz notes. “Creating a cozy bedroom helps your body relax and sync with its natural rhythms that tell you it’s time to rest.” This connection between coziness and sleep quality suggests that “hygge” practices may offer more than mere comfort – they could be essential self-care strategies during winter’s darkest days.

Beyond the most popular cozy activities already mentioned, Americans have developed a diverse repertoire of comfort-creating habits. Thick socks (33%), lighting a fireplace (32%), soft lighting (31%), and flannel pajamas (31%) all feature prominently in the American cozy toolkit. Pet owners find particular comfort in having their animals sleeping nearby (26%), while others turn to books (26%), thick robes (23%), or early bedtimes (21%). Some embrace technology in their quest for coziness, with 19% turning on virtual fireplaces, 18% scrolling social media, and 16% playing video games. This wide range of cozy practices demonstrates how personalized the pursuit of comfort has become, with Americans combining traditional hygge elements with modern technologies and personal preferences to create individualized winter sanctuaries.

The American embrace of winter coziness represents more than a passing trend; it reflects a fundamental human need for comfort and security during challenging seasons. As more Americans intentionally design their winter routines around hygge principles, they’re discovering the profound benefits that extend beyond simple pleasure. Improved sleep quality, better mental health, stronger family connections, and increased resilience against winter’s challenges all suggest that the Danish concept of hygge offers valuable wisdom for modern American life. Rather than fighting against winter’s limitations, Americans are increasingly choosing to lean into the season’s invitation to slow down, turn inward, and prioritize comfort. In doing so, they’re transforming what could be seen as winter’s constraints into opportunities for rejuvenation, creating warm memories and traditions that sustain them until spring’s arrival. Perhaps the bears have had it right all along – there’s wisdom in embracing winter’s call to cocoon, rest, and emerge refreshed when the season changes.