Nordic people have many unique philosophies of life that differ from the rest of the world, contributing to their greater happiness.
Every year, Nordic countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland consistently rank among the happiest nations in the world. Their happiness secrets stem not only from high quality of life and good social welfare but, more importantly, from their lifestyles and philosophies. Each Nordic country has its own “formula” for mental well-being and enjoying life that we can learn from.
Sisu of Finland: Emphasizing Inner Strength
In 2017, The Times included the Finnish concept of Sisu in its list of lifestyle philosophies, roughly defined as: “If you need to do something, do it immediately at any cost.” Sisu embodies resilience and courage, allowing individuals to ignore unnecessary comments and excessive emotions from others to pursue what they truly want.
The Sisu philosophy also involves rejecting gossip, complaints, and meaningless boasting. Thanks to this long-standing philosophy, Finns value social equality and cultivate calmness, perseverance, and self-control.
Lagom: The “Just Enough” Philosophy of Sweden
Lagom is a crucial skill for Swedes to live a balanced life. Literally, this concept can be translated as “just enough, not too much or too little.” Lagom is prevalent throughout Swedish society, encompassing economics and business management.
To achieve happiness, Swedes know how to balance income and spending, reduce energy and water consumption, minimize waste, and reuse old items instead of purchasing new ones.
Arbejdsglæde: How Danes Love Their Work
The ability to enjoy the work you do for at least 8 hours a day is highly valued by Danes. Arbejdsglæde is a concept that emphasizes a work style that is both professional and balanced, enjoying the joy that work brings.
To truly work with a mindset of arbejdsglæde, you should answer the following questions honestly: Why are you in your current job? Are you achieving the goals you set? Have you made an effort to get along with colleagues and supervisors, completed your assigned tasks, and are you continuing to improve your skills? If the answer to all these questions is no, it might be time to consider changing your job. According to Danes, a truly happy person is one who enjoys going to work and feels the same way when returning home in the evening.
Friluftsliv: Embracing Nature the Norwegian Way
The philosophy of friluftsliv is about spending time alone with nature to reconnect with your true self. Turning to beautiful nature is not just for leisure; the main idea is to liberate oneself from the rush and busy habits of daily life. Just you, a backpack on your shoulder, and Mother Nature. Don’t bring a camera and don’t post about it on Facebook – just climb a hill or take a walk and create memories for yourself.
Gezelligheid: Enjoying Togetherness the Dutch Way
Though the Netherlands is not part of the Scandinavian peninsula, they have a beautiful concept of happiness. The Dutch believe that happiness fundamentally equates to bonding with loved ones. Spending quality time with family and friends significantly enhances one’s mood. There is a famous Dutch saying: “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
In Norway, there is a similar concept called Koselig, which means a fun dinner under candlelight with good friends.
Kalsarikänni: The New Way Finns Relax
Kalsarikännit (literally meaning “pants to wear at home”) is slang for spending time at home alone in your comfiest clothes while drinking alcohol. Kalsarit refers to underwear, and Kännit means to get drunk. The Dutch also have a similar term, Niksen, which refers to the ability to relax by doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it.
Gluggaveður: The Optimism of Icelanders
Gluggaveður is an Icelandic term that defines the wonderful feeling of sitting by the window with a cup of hot coffee or tea, enjoying the weather from indoors without wanting to go outside to experience it. All you need for Gluggaveður is a warm sweater, comfortable pants, a hot drink, a window, and a relaxed mood.
