For the fifth year in a row, Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. One of the Finnish psychologists revealed the secret.
Frank Martela, psychology researcher and lecturer at Aalton University in Espoo, Finland, said, in a 2022 report, people in 156 countries were asked to 'rate' their lives on a scale of 0 to 10, with the worst possible life being '0'.
"This assessment also looks at the factors that contribute to social support, life expectancy, generosity and the absence of corruption," said the author of the book 'A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence', as quoted by CNBC.
"As a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher who studies the foundations of happiness, I am often asked: What exactly makes people in Finland so satisfied with their lives?" he says.
Martela continued, to maintain a high quality of life, there are at least three things Finnish people do:
1. Don't compare yourself to others
There is a famous line from a Finnish poet that goes "Kell' onni on, se onnen kätkekööön." Translated, it means, don't compare or brag about your happiness.
Finns take this seriously, especially when it comes to material things and are wary of public displays of wealth.
"I once met one of the richest people in Finland. He pushed his toddler using a stroller to the tram station. He could have bought an expensive car or hired a driver, but he chose public transportation," said Martela.
The first happiness tip from Martela, we are advised to focus more on what makes you happy and less boastful about happiness. The first step to true happiness is to set our own standards, instead of comparing ourselves to others.
2. Like nature
According to a 2021 survey, 87% of Finns feel that nature is important to them because it provides peace of mind, energy and relaxation.
In Finland, employees are entitled to four weeks of summer vacation. Many of them use that time to go to the countryside and immerse themselves in nature. The fewer facilities, even if there is no electricity or running water at home, the better.
"Spending time in nature increases vitality, well-being, and gives us a sense of 'growing' personally. At least, you can start by adding greenery at home," said Martela, referring to tip number two.
3. Hold honesty and trust
Research shows that the higher the level of trust in a country, the happier its citizens.
In 2022, a 'lost wallet' experiment was carried out in 2022 testing the honesty of its citizens by dropping 192 wallets in 16 cities around the world. In Helsinki, 11 out of 12 wallets were returned to their owners.
"Finnish people tend to 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 to get it back," says Martela.
Children in Finland also often take the public bus home from school and play outside unsupervised, and parents need not worry.
The last happiness tip from Martela, think about how we can contribute to our community. How can we create more trust? And how can we support policies built on that trust?
"The simple act of opening doors for strangers or giving seats to those in greater need on trains can make a significant difference," he said.