"Mys" Is the Cozy Swedish Value You Need in Your Life Right Now
I don’t know about you, but I seek comfort and coziness when there’s a noticeable shift in the season. With temperatures dropping and the days getting shorter, I’m left with the undeniable urge to hunker down at home and give myself permission to rest. But what if you could embrace a slower pace of self-care and respite year-round rather than just for the colder months ahead? Enter: “mys,” the Swedish value that essentially translates to coziness and contentment (but not to be confused with the Danish concept of “hygge”). I’m ready to make mys my new philosophy and have it inform some of my home design decisions — and you might be interested in it, too.
What Is Mys?
Mys is all about being cozy and seeking comfort, partially as a response to Sweden’s long, dark winters. Still, it’s so much more than just being cozy; it’s embraced more as a lifestyle in Swedish culture. Linus Adolfsson, the founder of The Sleep Spa by Swedish mattress brand Hästens, shared his thoughts about mys and why you might consider prioritizing it in the room where you likely spend most of your time: the bedroom. “In Sweden, sleeping is a quality of life,” says Adolfsson. “So if you’re sleeping more, that actually means that you have a more balanced life. It’s been something people are striving for.”
It’s no surprise someone who created an experiential sleep sanctuary believes mys starts with sleep, but I can totally see how the two connect. Sleep is essential for our well-being, and nothing beats cozying up with your favorite book, blanket, and cup of tea in bed before you drift off into a dream.
During my conversation with Adolfsson, I also learned mys is about creating rituals at home and finding the items that will bring comfort in the bedroom and beyond. There are a few key characteristics to look out for when creating your personal version of that, but it all basically boils down to soft textures, mood lighting, pleasant scents, and comforting routines. After speaking with lifestyle experts associated with big-name Swedish brands (Hästens and ASPLUND, to be exact), these are my takeaways.
Prioritize Comfort Over Everything
You can’t truly embody mys unless you prioritize comfort — and the vibe of being comfortable — over almost everything else in a room. “Mys has a lot to do with how you feel when you enter a space,” says Kristofer Eriksson, managing director at Hästens. Think about the materials you’re bringing into your home — soft blankets, slippers, and anything with a nubby or cozy texture that makes you feel enveloped and safe are all go-tos. Look out for natural materials like wool or cotton. If your current furnishings seem a little bit rigid, don’t worry. You can layer a faux sheepskin over a chair back or on top of a carpet. Try a sofa topper on the seat of your sofa, and warm up dining chairs with throw pillows. It’s all about making little tweaks to embrace extra softness and tactility in your environment.
Tap into All of Your Senses
Once you’ve covered the soft surfaces and plush accessories part of mys, tap into your other senses by creating an ambiance that feels like a full 360-degree experience. Lighting is essential to good design and is no exception when channeling mys. Avoid harsh overheads and stick to moody, dim lamps or candles to give you the perfect evening glow. And don’t forget about scent! You can get this from candles or, if you’re like me, you might want to have a diffuser going at home for that extra spa-like feeling (my favorite scent is Charcoal by APOTHEKE).
Make Fridays Extra Special
Mys is about comfort, but it’s also about spending quality time with loved ones. Perhaps my favorite tidbit from one of my conversations was learning about “fredagsmys,” or Friday mys, which is basically a slower, softer landing to the end of the week — one worth celebrating with good food and good vibes. Sandra Asplund, creative director and co-founder at ASPLUND, a Swedish home furnishing store, says Friday mys tends to be celebrated with a treat. “It’s often fresh small shrimps or tacos for dinner, and then watching a movie with snacks — under a pile of blankets, of course,” she says.
Make this bookend to the typical work week your own with a routine that speaks to you. It could just as easily be a warm bath and a glass of wine, putting on a face mask and reading a book in your favorite cozy corner — the list goes on and on.
Build an Evening Routine
Finally, you can’t forget the ritual of winding down. You’ve probably heard it all when it comes to building habits and routines before bed, but there really is something magical about finding a flow that works for you. When thinking about mys, and particularly how sleep ties into it, Adolfsson suggests creating an evening routine to give your body time to relax and get cozy slowly. “I see many people in America go from all-in to shutting off quickly, and the body doesn’t work like that,” he says. I’m all too familiar with what Adolfsson describes: Jumping into bed after a long day and doom-scrolling before shutting out the lights abruptly when it’s time to snooze.
Instead, light a candle, put on some relaxing music, or take a hot shower. The good news is there’s no wrong way to build a routine if it works for you. Take a tip from the Swedes and change into your “mys clothing,” aka comfy clothes, to transition into the evening relaxation.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
