I’m a psychologist in Finland, the happiest country in the world – here are 3 things we never do
For five years in a row, Finland has ranked first as the happiest country in the world. World Happiness Report.
In the 2022 report, people in 156 countries were asked to “rate their present moment on a scale of 0-10, with the worst possible life at zero”. It also looks at factors that influence social support, life expectancy, generosity and the absence of corruption.
As a Finnish philosopher and psychology As a researcher studying the foundations of happiness, I am often asked: What makes Finns so exceptionally satisfied with their lives?
To maintain a high quality of life, here are three things we never do:
1. We don’t compare ourselves to our neighbors.
There is a famous line by a Finnish poet: “Where there is luck, let that hide the luck.” Roughly translated, it means: Don’t compare or brag about your luck.
Finns indeed take this to heartespecially when it comes to material things and the transparency of wealth.
I once ran into one of the richest men in Finland. She was pushing her toddler in a stroller towards the tram stop. He could have bought himself an expensive car or hired a driver, but he chose public transport.
This is what success looks like in Finland: just like everyone else.
Happiness tip: Focus more on what makes you happy and less on looking successful. The first step to true happiness is to set your own standards instead of comparing yourself to others.
2. We don’t forget the benefits of nature.
According to a 2021 survey, 87% of Finns feel that nature is important to them because it offers peace of mind, energy and relaxation.
In Finland, employees have the right four weeks of summer vacation. Many of us use that time to go to the countryside and immerse ourselves in nature. The fewer amenities, even if the house does not have electricity or running water, the better.
Many Finnish cities are also densely built, which means a lot people have access to nature from the door. I live next to Helsinki Central Park, where I regularly go for a walk.
Happiness tip: Spending time in nature increase our vitality, welfare and a giving us a sense of personal growth. Find ways to add some greenery to your life, even if you just buy a few plants for your home.
3. We do not break the trust of the community.
Research show that the higher the level of trust in a country, the happier its citizens are.
A”lost wallet” trial in 2022 tested the honesty of citizens by dropping 192 wallets in 16 cities around the world. In Helsinki, 11 out of 12 wallets were returned to the owner.
Finns trust each other and value honesty. If you forget your laptop in the library or lose your phone on the train, you can be sure that you will get it back.
Children also often take the public bus home from school and play outside unsupervised.
Happiness tip: Think about how you can present yourself in your community. How can you create more trust? How can you support policies that build on this trust? Small acts like opening doors for strangers or giving up your seat on the train also make a difference.
Frank MartelaPhD, is a philosopher and psychology researcher who studies the foundations of happiness. He is also a lecturer at Aalto University and wrote “A Wonderful Life: Insights into Finding a Meaningful Existence“Follow him Twitter.
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