FINLAND HAS BEEN THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY in the world for the last five years, according to the World Happiness Report. Today, we will examine 3 keys to happiness in Finland.
Frank Martela, a Finnish philosopher and psychologist who studies the fundamentals of happiness, explains that he is often asked: What exactly makes people in Finland so exceptionally satisfied with their lives?
What would you guess? What sparks happiness for you?
“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
The research investigation asked people to “value their lives today on a zero to ten scale, with the worst possible life zero.” The study also included factors contributing to social support, generosity, absence of corruption, and life expectancy.”
To maintain a high quality of life, Martela explains that there are three things Finns never do:
Key 1: Finnish happiness — Don’t compare
Martela begins by offering this thought-provoking quote from a Finnish poet:
“Kell’ onni on, se onnen kätkeköön.”
Written by Eino Leino, the saying means: Don’t compare or brag about your happiness. Do you compare yourself with others, particularly regarding wealth displays? Finns tend not to do so.
Here are some reasons that we should try to avoid comparing ourselves to others (when it comes to overt displays of wealth):
One’s perceived position in society is a better predictor of happiness than objective measures such as income, education, and labor market position.
The”welfare state” in Nordic countries appears to moderate the association between one’s perceived position in society and their level of happiness.
Key 2: Finnish happiness — Embrace nature
A second key to Finnish happiness is embracing nature. Four weeks of summer vacation afford Finns many opportunities to explore their environment.
Finns are fond of their surroundings. One survey showed 87 percent consider nature to be “very or fairly important” in their lives. Only 12 percent of respondents said they do not attach much or any importance to nature.
Nature engagement activities include nature photography, books and documentaries about nature, and visit to nature in other countries:
Over half (56 percent) of survey respondents explain that nature helps them to relax and recuperate.
Finally, over six in 10 Finns would change their consumption habits and lifestyle to stop biodiversity loss. Only 12 percent would be unwilling to make such alterations.
Key 3: Finnish happiness — Have a circle of trust
High levels of trust translate into happiness. Finnish individuals tend to value honesty and trust one another. In the CNBC piece, psychologist Martela reminds us of the 2022 “lost wallet” experiment” in which researchers tested the honesty of citizens by dropping 192 wallets in 16 cities worldwide.
In Helsinki (Finland), 11 out of 12 wallets were returned to the owner. Would that happen in your community? What can each of us do to create more trust? Even small maneuvers (such as opening doors for strangers) may have an impact.
3 keys to happiness — My take
There is much that we can learn from our Scandanavian counterparts. Focusing on what makes me happy (rather than appearing successful) is key. By setting our standards — instead of comparing ourselves to those around us — we are on the way to increasing happiness.
I try (not always successfully, but more and more as I age) to prioritize experiences over objects. Travel is high on my list, as is learning new classical pieces for piano. I am currently on a Bach Preludes and Fugues mission and planning to visit nature in Portugal. What sparks joy for you?
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you seek medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for joining me in this look at 3 keys to happiness in Finland.
