For five years in a row, Finland ranks first as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report.
In the 2022 report, residents from 156 countries were asked to "rate their lives today on a scale of 0 to 10, with zero being the worst," while also looking at factors that contribute to social support, life expectancy, generosity and the absence of corruption.
Finnish psychologist and philosopher Frank Martella, who studies the basic principles of happiness, is often faced with the following question: What exactly makes people in Finland so extremely satisfied with their lives?
In order for Finns to maintain a high quality of life, these are the three things they never do:
1. "We never compare ourselves to our neighbors"
There is a famous phrase by a Finnish poet: "Kell' onni on, se onnen kätkeköön", meaning "Don't compare and don't brag about your happiness". Finns take this very seriously, especially when it comes to material goods and visible displays of wealth.
“I once ran into one of the richest men in Finland. He had his child in a stroller and was walking to the tram station. He could have bought an expensive car or hired a driver, but he chose public transport. This is what success looks like in Finland: like everyone else,” he explains.
Happiness tip: Focus on what makes you happy and less on looking successful. The first step to real happiness is to set your own standards and not compare yourself to others.
2. "We don't overlook the benefits of nature"
According to a 2021 survey, 87% of Finns consider nature to be important to them because it provides them with peace of mind, energy and relaxation.
In Finland, workers are entitled to four weeks of summer vacation. Many use this time to get out into the countryside and immerse themselves in nature. The fewer amenities, even to the point where there is no electricity or running water in the house, the better.
Happiness tip: Spending time in nature increases our vitality, well-being and gives us a sense of personal growth. Find ways to add some greenery to your life, even if it's just buying a few plants for your home.
3. "We don't break the circle of community trust"
Research has shown that the higher the levels of trust in a country, the happier its citizens are.
The "lost wallet" experiment, which took place in 2022, tested the honesty of citizens by dropping 192 wallets in 16 cities around the world. In Helsinki, 11 of the 12 wallets were returned to their owner.
Finns tend to trust each other and value honesty. If you forget your laptop in a library or lose your phone on the train, you can be pretty sure you'll get it back.
Children also often take the public bus home from school and play outside unsupervised.
Advice happinesss: Think about how you can be of service to your community. How can you build more trust? How can you support policies based on this trust? Small acts like opening the door for strangers or giving up a seat on the train also make a difference.
With information from CNBC