Benjamin Franklin once said: "Happiness lies in the small conveniences and pleasures that occur every day, rather than in the moments of great sudden happiness that rarely occur." Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Sweden rank among the happiest countries in the world. With an emphasis on balance and connection, each of these countries has developed its own way of life. Millions of Scandinavians enjoy a healthy work-life balance, high standards of living with less pressure, less stress, while having more time for everything they enjoy and love to do.
Looking for a lifestyle change? Use any of these Scandinavian life philosophies to change your perception of a meaningful and fulfilling life!
Lagom
Lagom is a big part of the culture in Sweden. It means "not too little, not too much, but just right". This one word encapsulates the entire Swedish Social Democratic philosophy on life: everyone should have enough, and no one too much. The concept therefore promotes an overall balance in our lives: everything in moderation.
People in Sweden work hard, but never to the detriment of other parts of their lives. Instead of burning out with a 60-hour workday and stressing themselves out, lagom encourages them to balance and live somewhere "in the middle". Other characteristics of lagom philosophy are frugality, reducing stress and focusing on environmental issues and sustainability.
The lagom philosophy is therefore wonderfully simple and offers an alternative to the idea that we are always looking for the next best thing. In her book Live Lagom: Balanced Living, the Swedish Way, Anna Brones explains: "Using lagom in our daily lives—in what we eat, what we wear, how we live and how we work—may be the trick to advocating for a more balanced, sustainable lifestyle that welcomes the pleasures of existence rather than consumerism."
Hygge
In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge means "to give courage, comfort, joy." In Denmark, however, hygge is more than just a word – it is a central part of the culture. It's about giving your responsible, stressed self a break so you can live in the moment and enjoy your immediate surroundings. "It's about enjoying life with friends and family, cherishing these moments. It's about seizing those moments and making them special. Let's take our time and enjoy what's in front of us now, not what's yet to come." says Sofie Pedersen in her book Keep Calm and Hygge: A Guide to the Danish Art of Simple and Cozy Living.
Hygge is a feeling closely related to being relaxed, satisfied and at peace with themselves. It is the absence of all pretense and care. So if you take the time to get lost in a book, go for a walk, ride a bike, share your meal, enjoy your favorite TV show with friends and family, or play board games, you're already practicing hygge! But you cannot achieve it if you are constantly in a hurry and stressed.
Lykke
Lykke is a simple Danish word for happiness. "Copenhagen is probably the most Lykkish city in the world. At five in the afternoon, everyone leaves work, rides their bikes home, plays creatively with the kids for two hours, goes out and does something nice for a random stranger, lights candles, and then settles down to watch several episodes of a Nordic TV noir thriller about some psychopathic pedophile," writes Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World's Happiest People.
Happiness is not a destination, it is not a goal, it is a habit. It is what we do, what we do, that everything else in our life is in the best order. If we want to be truly happy, we must be actively involved in our lives. So strive to enter into it gratitude, joy, moderation, skills, feeling successful, feeling fulfilled in your life, but not that you have a feeling of emptiness or lack of perfection.
"No man can be truly happy if he does not try to choose the path of his life." states the 2012 World Happiness Report. And this very report found, among other things, that freedom of choice is one of the six factors that explain why some people are happier than others.
Sis
Etymologically, sisu comes from the root of a Finnish word meaning "inner" or "internal". In Finnish culture, however, it means standing for perseverance and determination. "Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to maintain it. It is a word that cannot be fully translated. It defines the Finnish people and their character. He espouses the philosophy that what must be done will be done, regardless of the cost.” they say at Finlandia University.
Sisu are often described as stoic determination, steadfastness of purpose, courage and resilience. It is a form of courage that is presented in situations where success is virtually (almost) impossible. A case of persevering through challenges.
"It is a combination of heroism and bravery, fierceness and tenacity, the ability to continue fighting when most people would have given up, and fighting with the will to win." explained the New York Times in 1940. Sisu therefore means that we do what is necessary, even when it is difficult.
Life is indeed unpredictable, but it can be guided by strong life philosophies. And a good lifestyle will bring us benefits over time. So let's just take the time to enjoy our journey.
"You cannot be truly first-rate in your work if your work is all you are." says American writer and columnist Anna Quindlen. So adopt and practice some of these philosophies in your daily life, and you might find out why Scandinavians are ranked as the happiest people in the world!
