That continuous feeling that the sun is about to set but never does: it remains suspended in a pastel sky, tickling the beers of those who have just come out of the sauna with the golden hour, lying on the blankets of those having a picnic in the park, or pedalling along the paths that lead into the forest.
That idea that anything is possible because the day never ends, flowers cover gardens that were frozen just a few months before, and islands are just a stone’s throw away. Plus, the awareness of living in a state that will take care of you, even in dark moments. These are just some aspects that make Finland the happiest country in the world.
However, the Finnish tourism board, to avoid giving hasty answers about the reason for this happiness, organised a contest to teach 14 people from around the world the Finnish tips to be happy . “We are convinced that tapping into your inner Finn is the key to unlocking happiness,” they say. The happiness seekers who won the contest were invited to Helsinki and received the great gift of happiness directly from the hands of the “happiness hackers” experts in the field.
We have gathered all their advice, on the Finnish tips which you can try to practise at home, but will surely unleash all their power once you reach the forests surrounding Helsinki.
The 6 Finnish tips for being happy
Embrace nature
Helsinki is a cutting-edge and cosmopolitan capital, but the surrounding sea is a living force, hosting over 330 islands. This means that nature is always present, and Finns know it defines most of their opportunities.
When the sea freezes, reaching the islands sometimes becomes impossible, no matter how close and well-equipped they are. That’s why as soon as the pleasant season arrives, they try in every way to use the time available to live in contact with nature.
Adela Pajunen, a biologist, and Marko Leppänen, a geographer, founded Terveysmetsä (Health Forest), which promotes a model of body and mind care based on the unique Finnish relationship with nature. During a trek on Vallisaari Island, the couple illustrates the myriad ways in which our natural environment shapes our well-being.
Vallisaari is only a few kilometres from Helsinki, but it feels like it exists at another time. Marko is originally from here and, after studying the numerous islands of the archipelago, believes that the characteristics of paradise can be found here. “Nothing is as solid and reliable as the rocks,” he says, standing barefoot on the smoothed stones overlooking the sea. “They go as deep as 60 km and have been smoothed by the elements since the Ice Age. They are an inspiration to stay grounded.”
Happiness in simple rituals
In making an offering to Tapio, the god of the forest according to Finnish mythology, we review the teachings for being happy in contact with nature in one of the Finnish tips. Look at the surface of the water illuminated by the sun to remember it in winter; walk barefoot on the rocks; walk backwards along a path and enjoy the landscape from a new perspective; lie down and look at a view that makes you feel good for at least 40 seconds; spend time on an island; let yourself go to Tapio because the forest ultimately knows how to take care of you.
The right of everyone to enjoy the fruits of nature
This aspect of the Finnish tips is particularly relevant in Finnish culture: the custom of “everyman’s right” is the right of everyone to enjoy the fruits of nature, whether it’s berries, access, or protection. An ancient teaching that prevails over private property, a teaching that comes from the past and for which our future has an extreme need.
When we talk about nature, it’s not just about the short summer period. It’s important to celebrate every season, going ice skating on the frozen sea, swimming in cold water even in winter, and warming up afterwards with the sauna, which is never missing in homes, or workplaces. The sauna, with its etiquette made of small gestures, silences, shared intimacy, and testing the body, is another cornerstone of Finnish happiness (and culture): be prepared to try different types.
Savour sustainable food
Luka Balac, who has opened three restaurants in Helsinki (Nolla, Elm, and Nolita) since 2018, finds happiness in food, not just in its goodness or sophistication, but also sharing it with loved ones and dedicating himself to sustainability.
Sitting in the garden of Elm, where flowers and plants merge with those of the nearby Kaivopuisto Park, he talks about how the restaurant aims for a “zero waste” policy and how all the waste produced is measured, entering the data into a waste management system to see the concrete effects caused by daily actions. For Luka, happiness is also convincing others to respect the environment, which he has done with local producers, convincing everyone to abandon plastic for their supplies.
Balance freedom with responsibility
Tapio Hakanen, known as DJ Orkidea, is one of Finland’s top DJs and comes from the rave scene, a subculture of total freedom where there is no room for rules. He talks about how living without rules in a society of Finland, which has many, made him realise which ones matter to him. “Doing what I did was also possible because I had a solid society behind me. We often take many things that make us happy for granted, such as the possibility of having a good work-life balance, being able to cycle wherever we want, or having public transport that works in a way that doesn’t harm the environment.
However, this is not possible in all nations, and I believe this sense of security is one pillar on which our happiness is based.” Underground culture and respect for nature as a recipe for happiness: the proof is Tapio playing in an endless sunset in a floating sauna. The music disperses like the concentric circles of someone diving into the North Sea, slipping into the nearby islands, perhaps reaching the tundra up towards the Pole.
Stay young at heart
Lena Salmi, on the other hand, is a city girl and prefers street life. She is 70 years old and learned to skateboard at 63 simply to try something new: “At first, I thought the boys would laugh at me, but it didn’t happen, everyone gave me a high-five, and I became an inspiration for those who thought it was too late to start. I’m not the best skater, but the happiest.”
Among the other things that make Lena happy, and a real force, are: having breakfast with ice cream because “I decided that when I went to live alone, I would eat ice cream every morning when I woke up angry,” swimming five times a week in the Waterfront pool, and painting on walls because “as soon as you make the first stroke, your soul is freed.”
However, you don’t need to be an expert to be happy, sometimes you just have to let go of those little things that have made us happy since childhood, like waving at passing ships, dressing in strawberry colours when it’s strawberry season, learning to be silent even when in company without it being strange because we need moments of emptiness to process what happens to us and realise we are happy.
This article was syndicated from Marie Claire Italy
Translated and adapted by Praise Vandeh, Marie Claire Nigeria Content Writer
