Introduction
Finland has been named the happiest country in the world. The country beat out Nordic neighbors Norway and Denmark, as well as other wealthy countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland to take home this prestigious honor. So how do they do it? Well, here are some of my favorite reasons why Finland might be your new favorite place to live!
The Finns are great at keeping things simple.
They don’t have time for fancy clothes or expensive cars, and they’re not materialistic in any way. The Finns don’t like to waste time or money; they’re more concerned with the quality of life than the quantity of stuff.
So if you want to be happy like a Finn, here are some key things that will help:
- Be practical – You need less than you think! Find ways to simplify your life by getting rid of things you don’t use anymore or aren’t useful for you anymore (like old clothes). Don’t spend money on things that won’t make a difference in your life (like designer shoes). Use what works best instead of buying something new just because it looks good on Instagram/Pinterest/Tumblr etc…
They know how to get outdoors.
I think we can all agree that being outside is a wonderful thing. It’s not just good for your health, though; it also helps you connect with nature and your own body, which is essential for happiness. In Finland, people know how important it is to get out there–and they do so without harming the environment or other people in their pursuit of fun!
- They aren’t just hiking through the woods or camping on their own land; they’re enjoying themselves in public spaces as well! The Finnish government has invested heavily in parks and other green spaces so that everyone has access to them regardless of social status or income level (as long as these areas are maintained).
They have a long history of embracing art.
In addition to being a happy country, Finland has a long history of embracing art. They have a strong tradition of visual arts, music and poetry–the latter of which is reflected by their national epic Kalevala.
You may not think that dance would be an important part of Finnish culture but it is! In fact, according to UNESCO’s World Heritage List (which recognizes places around the world that are considered valuable by humanity), there are three separate locations related to traditional Finnish folk dances: Savonlinna Castle (Savonlinna), Olavinlinna Castle (Savonlinna) and Suomenlinna Fortress Island (Helsinki).
They’re not afraid of alcohol.
The Finns love their alcohol, and it shows. In Finland, a glass of wine with dinner is completely normal–and so is having a beer on your lunch break.
In fact, Finns consume more alcohol per capita than any other country in Europe (except Denmark), according to WHO data from 2016. The average Finnish person drinks 14 liters of pure ethanol each year–that’s about five bottles of wine or nine beers!
There’s plenty of nature for everyone.
Finland is a country with a lot of nature. In fact, it’s one of the most naturally beautiful countries in Europe. There are plenty of lakes, forests and islands for everyone who wants to enjoy them. You can even find some beaches if you travel south enough!
The Finns know how to play in the snow.
They have a long history of playing and celebrating winter holidays, as well as an appreciation for nature that can only come from living in one of Earth’s harshest climates.
The Finnish word for snow is “lumi,” which means “white” or “light.” This is because they see snow as a source of beauty, not something to be feared or loathed like some cultures do; rather than being an inconvenience, it’s simply another part of life that must be dealt with–and enjoyed!
Small towns are important in Finland…and staying put helps you feel happier and healthier!
There are over 200,000 small towns in Finland, and they play an important role in the economy and culture of this Nordic country. The Finnish people are very attached to their hometowns, so much so that staying put helps you feel happier and healthier!
A lot of it has to do with how they live their lives, it seems!
In a survey conducted by the World Happiness Report, Finland ranked as the happiest country in the world. The survey asked people to rank their own happiness on a scale of 1-10 and then compared those results to other countries.
The reasons why Finland is such a happy place are many and varied–and they go beyond just the weather!
It’s About A Healthy Lifestyle
People in Finland prioritize their health above all else, so they make sure they eat well and exercise regularly. They also know how important it is to get enough sleep (a whopping 9 hours per night!), which helps them feel energized throughout the day instead of sluggish or tired like so many Americans do now due to our hectic schedules filled with long commutes home from work each day.*
Conclusion
The Finns are so great because they live in a world where everything is always simple and easy. They have turned their country into one of the happiest places on earth. They know how to get outdoors, even if it’s just getting out of bed and going for a walk around town! The Finns like having fun with friends too; they go out drinking together all the time…and that helps them be happier and healthier too!
