I declare myself as a fan of the Danish lifestyle – closely linked to that now-archival term, hygge, which champions the pleasures of the everyday, the cosy, the comforting. Sometimes, it doesn’t take grand pleasures to feel at ease, generate wellness hormones, lower cortisol levels, and cultivate the peace and grounded joy we all crave.

As Dr Javier Albares, a sleep expert, puts it: “The day builds the night.” In other words, better sleep starts not at bedtime, but from the moment we wake up – and especially during the two hours leading up to sleep. That’s why it’s worth looking at a Danish custom that not only brings a deep sense of happiness and connection but also serves as an unexpected sleep aid: shared dinners with loved ones, guided by what Danish author Meik Wiking calls ‘hygge conversations’.

Think about it: don’t you sleep better after a long, warm dinner, talking about everything and nothing with family, rather than rushing through a meal alone while scrolling on your phone? These aren’t meant to be special or elaborate dinners – just conscious, shared meals marked by intention and connection. Wiking refers to them as “meaningful conversations” – a simple but powerful way to transform dinner from a routine into a ritual.

In Denmark, it’s not uncommon for office buildings to empty out by 5pm. People with children often leave as early as four. “Everyone goes home to prepare dinner,” Wiking writes in The Little Book of Hygge. “Shared time with others creates an atmosphere that is warm, relaxed, centring, close, comforting and welcoming. In many ways, it’s like a good hug without the physical contact.” It’s about daily pleasures and good company the kind that shapes your emotional state long after the plates are cleared.

Meaningful conversations: an emotional (and hormonal) reset

In Denmark, leaving work early to dine with family is more than a cultural quirk – it’s a marker of national wellbeing. And it’s one reason the country consistently ranks among the world’s happiest. Social rituals in safe, familiar circles are proven to lower cortisol and promote the release of feel-good hormones like serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins. When done just before bedtime, this kind of social decompression can be one of the most effective tools for better sleep.

Wiking cites a study from the University of Arizona and the University of Washington that examined the link between types of conversation and happiness levels. Unsurprisingly, the happiest participants spent 25% less time alone and had twice as many meaningful conversations. That’s not to say small talk doesn’t matter (it has its place). But real conversations – ones where you talk, listen and feel heard—build emotional safety and physiological calm. There’s even a Danish card game, The Hygge Game, designed to help foster these slow, thoughtful exchanges.

Social connection as brain care

The benefits go beyond better sleep. Neurologists confirm that regular, in-person conversations support long-term brain health. In Keep Your Brain Young, published by the Spanish Society of Neurology, the authors stress that fostering social and emotional relationships is key to avoiding cognitive decline. In contrast, communication via digital platforms requires less attention and engagement. It cannot replace a real-time conversation, much less a meaningful debate or deep exchange.

How to prepare for a hygge dinner to lower cortisol

Wiking offers a few tips for cultivating the ideal environment for these connection-rich meals:

Try a round table

“At a round table, no one is at the head. Everyone is equal. It creates a cosier atmosphere and often more physical space,” he notes.

Be open

“Some of the best conversations I’ve had started when someone – myself included –opened up about a problem or mistake,” Wiking says. Vulnerability invites real connection.

Soften the light

Use warm, diffused lighting to promote relaxation. One study even found that replacing harsh white light in classrooms reduced noise levels by up to six decibels.

Layer the comfort

Cushions, blankets, rugs – all these sensory cues help build a space that feels safe, held and relaxed.

A version of this article originally appeared on Vogue Spain.