11 Obscure Words To Help You Recover From Holiday Stress and Chill

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… right? The shopping and crowds. The back-to-back diet-busting gatherings. The seemingly endless check-ins with the in-laws. What’s not to love?

Look, we get that it’s not always holly jolly with your nearest and oh-so-dearest.

And so do the 80% of Americans who find it hard to relax during the holiday season.

Sure, a hot-stone massage while burning that new beeswax Bahama Breeze candle might be more effective than learning this mere list of words. But 1) words are our thing and 2) they’re free.

So bless your budget and your brain as you bid farewell to this heckuva year with these fun little holiday stress-melting Words of the Day.

That’s it… Masks off, hair down, jammies on. Aaaand, exhale.

1. MORGENFRISK (Danish)

The feeling of refreshment after waking from a good night’s sleep.

2. PANTOFOLAIO (Italian)

Someone who is happy to laze about the house all day. A “slippers-wearer.”

3. SMULTRONSTÄLLE  (Swedish)

A hidden spot that you escape to for relaxation or alone time, such as a secluded trail. Literally “place of wild strawberries.”

4. SOHWAKHAENG (Korean)

A small but certain happiness, like a cup of hot tea in the morning or a purring cat in your lap.

5. HUFFLE-BUFFS (Scots, archaic)

Clothes that are comfy, well-worn, and born for lounging.

6. TARAB (Arabic)

A feeling of lightness and ecstasy brought about by listening to music.

7. SLUGABED

A lazy person who stays in bed long after the usual time for arising.

8. STRIKHEDONIA

The joy of not giving a damn.

9. FIRE-SCORDEL

Someone who spends all day lounging in front of a fire.

10. EI VIITSI (Estonian)

A feeling of slight laziness, and not being bothered to do anything.

11. SUSPIRE

To (finally) breathe out.

Want to take a deeper dive into unique words and phrases? Check out our post on popular Eggcorns to learn more.