Gezellig: The Happiness Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed

“She’s got the ‘it’ factor.”

“He has a certain je ne sais quoi.”

“There’s just something about them”.

Many languages have phrases that speakers implicitly understand but struggle to define. In some cases, there are key aspects of a culture that are hard to explain to those outside it. In the Netherlands, the term gezellig is one of them. 

Ask a Dutch person what gezellig means, and you’ll hear everything from “cozy” to “warm”, “pleasant” and “fun.” Press for more detail and you’ll get descriptions like: “The contentment of sharing an excellent meal with loved ones,” or “The fulfillment of a long-awaited reunion with friends.”

Generally, gezellig refers to a feeling of comfort and togetherness, often in a social context. Many use the term to describe a sense of belonging or social cohesion. Those who embrace this expression of the term are, perhaps unknowingly, tapping into the health-boosting effects of social connection. 

But gezellig isn’t always used to describe a group affair. You can feel it on a solo trip to a beautiful library, as you sink into a luscious armchair and lose yourself in a book. You can feel it as you cook dinner, singing pop ballads into your spoon, or as you snuggle into bed to watch your favorite film.

Gezellig is not so much a thing as it is a feeling, a sense of well-being. This is why it can’t be limited to one exact translation. But that doesn’t make the feeling of gezellig unattainable. In fact, it’s just the opposite. A term that encompasses so many different kinds of joy is an open door, inviting us to pursue it in ways that make sense for our own lives. 

So, those who want more out of life can simply ask themselves: when was the last time I felt comfort, warmth, or even peace? How can I tailor my life to feel that way more often? How can I cultivate more experiences of unity and find more moments of fulfillment? 

In this way, the gezellig goalpost can shift depending on one’s situation. A gezellig space is one that invites you in and seems to call out to you when you’re away. A date is gezellig when the conversation makes three hours feel like 30 minutes. A glass of wine feels gezellig as you savor every decadent sip. 

And what all these scenarios have in common is that they are entirely within your reach. We often think that our “best life” is on the other side of some drastic change, but getting there doesn’t always take a major overhaul. Time and time again, we see that the world’s happiest, longest-lived people achieving well-being through simple, attainable habits. 

Just as people in the blue zones regions incorporate natural movement or stress-busting siestas into their lives, you can incorporate gezellig into yours. All it takes is a willingness to look for opportunities to make small changes that help you feel and live better. 

Consider what spaces and aspects of your life you can make a little more gezellig. And remember that it doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming. You could grow sunflowers on your patio, create a reading nook in your bedroom, make a photo collage for your office, or take turns hosting game nights with friends. Aim for changes that enhance your quality of life without too much heavy lifting. The more practical and manageable the changes are, the more sustainable they become, and the greater your chances are for making a lasting impact on quality of life. 

Now it’s your turn. Take a moment to write a list of three ways that you can make your life more gezellig, and be sure to connect each goal to tangible actions. Here’s to your health and happiness!

Nonjabulo Mlangeni is a writer, researcher, and editor based in Los Angeles, California. She focuses on health, equity, and creative nonfiction.