Reasons why Finnish people are always happy

Reasons why Finnish people are always happy image 1

People swim in a lake in Punkaharju, Finland. (Source: Getty Images)

Finland has ranked number 1 in the World Happiness Report's list of the happiest countries in the world for five consecutive years.

According to Dr. Frank Martela, a philosopher and psychologist who studies the foundations of happiness in Finland, there are three things that people in the happiest country in the world never do.

First, don't compare yourself to others. A Finnish poet once wrote, “Kell' onni on, se onnen kätkeköön,” which roughly translates to “don't compare or brag about your happiness.” Finns really take this advice to heart, especially when it comes to material things.

Dr. Martela tells the story of one of the richest men in Finland who, despite owning an expensive car and having a personal driver, still chose to use public transport with his young child.

Dr. Martela emphasizes focusing on what makes you happy and the first step to true happiness is setting your own standards instead of comparing yourself to others.

Second, don't overlook the benefits of nature. According to a 2021 poll, 87% of Finns feel that nature is important to them because it helps them find peace of mind, provides energy, and relaxes them.

In Finland, employees get four weeks of summer vacation. Many people use this time to go to the countryside and immerse themselves in nature, with as few amenities as possible, including no electricity or running water in the house.

The secret to happiness is that spending time in nature increases feelings of well-being, vitality, and personal growth. Find ways to add a little green to your life, even if it’s just adding some houseplants.

Third, don't lose faith in your community. Research shows that the higher the level of trust in a country, the happier its people are.

The “lost wallet” experiment, conducted in 2022, tested the honesty of people in 16 cities around the world. In Helsinki, 11 out of 12 lost wallets were returned to their owners.

Finns tend to be trusting and honest. If you leave your laptop in the library or lose your phone on the train, you can be sure that you will get it back.

In Finland, children also often go to school by public transport and play without adult supervision.

The key to happiness is to think about how you show up for your community. How can you create more trust? How can you support policies that help increase that trust? Small acts like opening the door for a stranger or giving up your seat on the train make a difference.

VNA

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