By Frank Martela/ For 7 years in a row, Finland has been ranked as the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report.
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?
To maintain a high quality of life, here are three things we never do:
1. We don't compare ourselves to our neighbors
The first step to true happiness is to set your own standards, instead of comparing yourself to others.
2. We do not overlook the benefits of nature
According to a 2021 survey, 87% of Finns think that nature is important to them because it provides them with peace of mind, energy and relaxation.
In Finland, employees are entitled to four weeks of summer vacation. Many of us use them to go to the countryside and 'immerse' in nature.
3. We do not break the circle of community trust
Research shows that the higher the levels of trust within a country, the happier its citizens are.
An experiment in 2022 tested the honesty of citizens by throwing 192 wallets in 16 cities around the world. In Helsinki, 11 of the 12 wallets were returned to their owners.
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.
*Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and psychology researcher who studies the foundations of happiness.
