How Do You Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish word meaning to be cozy, comforting, or relaxing. Hygge is a way to bring happiness into your life. It could be spending time with family or friends, working on your hobbies, or enjoying nature. I read that the people in Denmark are supposed to be some of the happiest in the world! It must be hygge.
Is Facebook hygee?
I asked the friendly people on the Facebook Page, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), how they calmed themselves or cheered themselves up. Facebook started in 2004, but I didn't join until 2010. I was hesitant because I thought Facebook was something young people used to trash each other. My oncologist told me that I have myelodysplastic syndromes in 2017, something I had never heard of before. I had to learn how to pronounce it and spell it. I have met only one person with the same diagnosis, and that was at MD Anderson. Through Facebook, I can talk to people who are dealing with the same disease. Mark Zuckerberg, you developed something to help people not only socialize, but also learn and feel less isolated. Thank you!
Hygee advice
Daria said she treasures time with family.
Rose enjoys playing games with friends.
Paula looks at photos of her grandchildren because it comforts her. (There's that hygge we were talking about.)
Michael is serious about his exercise routine. He explained that exercise would strengthen bone density and boost your mood.
Alice keeps busy with her favorite crafts.
Judy likes walking in the park, and Beth loves walking on the beach.
Pam will listen to a voice recording of scriptures to find peace.
Steven encourages people to attend lectures at a cancer support community. I hear you, Steven. I have watched some webinars that have helped me understand MDS better. Learning is hope!
Music as medicine
Listening to music is another calming, uplifting activity. It can be gospel, Beethoven, or the Beatles. No one should judge your taste in music. When I was teaching, one of my third-grade students would get upset quickly, so his mother suggested we play a particular song to calm him. Most of the time, it worked! I have decided that my calming song is Daydream Believer by the Monkees. Remember, I said no judging! (I just looked at the lyrics and discovered I have been singing some of the wrong words. Oh, well.) A friend gave me the 45 RPM record in 1968 for my 12th birthday, and the song continues to cheer me. (Children, we used a record player to play these vinyl circles with holes in the middle. Oh, just Google it.) These days, I can simply say, "Alexa, play Daydream Believer."
The best medicine is a cheerful heart!
Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of blood cancers that develop from immature blood cells in the bone marrow. My bone marrow is not producing enough red or white blood cells. I told you my calming song; now, I'll let you know my calming Bible verse. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22.
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