4 reasons finland is the happiest country in the world

for the fourth consecutive year, finland has been named the world’s happiest country for 2021, a feat that’s somewhat astounding given the nation’s reputation for dark scandi drama, long winters, and sunsets after midday. so what exactly are the habits of the happiest people on earth? what makes a happy country?

they spend time in nature

the prerogative to spend time in nature is a virtually law for the finns. commonly called “everyman’s right” to nature, the legal concept gives anyone living in (or visiting) finland the right to roam free in the countryside regardless of land ownership. this means you could enjoy a weekend fishing trip, forage for berries and mushrooms, or go camping, provided you cause no damage to the land or landowners. this law epitomises a staunch belief in the healing power of nature, and in a country where forest covers 75% of the landmass, a love of the great outdoors is no surprise.

they have a modest approach to life

the key metric used to determine happiness in the world happiness report may just be the reason why fins consistently place first. in essence, respondents are asked to approximate whether their real life circumstances align with their expectations. if this is the determiner of happiness, then keeping your expectations low and feeling satisfied with what you have may be key. finland isn’t the only scandianvian country to consistently top the list for the world’s happiest countries. indeed, its happiness habits share many similarities with its neighbours. the swedish concept of lagom encapsulates this idea of being content with what you have. translating as “just the right amount”, lagom is akin to the goldilocks refrain of “not too hot, not too cold, but just right”. excess, then, may not be the secret to happiness. in a country where less is more and minimalism is king, we can all learn something from this modest approach to life.

they’re resilient

with hundreds of days of winter and months spent in almost total darkness, you’d be silly to wait for a sunny day to go out for a hike. given these arguably gloomy living conditions, the fins have developed an extraordinarily hardy outlook and spirit of resilience for getting through tough times. otherwise known as sisu, this moxie a national ideology and way of life. in other words, the fins don’t go out in pursuit of happiness, they live it. Rain, hail, darkness, or shine, you’ll find them out in nature, practicing sisu and living in the moment.

the sauna is a way of life

with over 3 million saunas across the country, a steamy dip is practically a daily must for the fins. saunas are meditative spaces, where its therapeutic qualities allow people to switch off and reconnect with themselves after a long day. in finland, stripping off amongst neighbours and friends is the norm, where the transformative space of the sauna has an equalising effect on all. sans clothing or material belongings, the sauna is a level playing field. indeed, the benefits of the sauna go beyond the physical, helping to foster a sense of community, improving body image, and promoting mental clarity.

pauseTara Harrisonphilosophy, finland, happinessComment