Finland is the happiest country in the world — here’s how

mental health

by david randoseru

For many years now, Finland has been voted the happiest country in the world.

Frank Martella, a Finnish psychology researcher and philosopher, warns against misinterpreting it.

Finns aren’t born spitting rainbows, and they work hard to earn that title.

“It would be more accurate to say that Finland is the country with the least amount of unhappiness in the world,” Martella said in an interview with CNBC Make It, adding that all of this award-winning behavior is due to the widely held belief that 3 He explained that it stems from one belief. In Finnish society, it is believed that it contributes to the well-being of the people.

they are:

• A strong sense of community and connection
• do good deeds for others
• find your own clear purpose

Mr. Martella explained how important these three “key” concepts are to the project and why you should incorporate them into your daily life.

sense of togetherness

“People are happier when they’re surrounded by people who care about them and who care about them,” Martella says. “Fortunately, that is true even in the most dire material circumstances.”

Research shows this to be true: spending quality time with friends and family makes your life infinitely better, regardless of your financial or material circumstances.

And when it comes to good deeds, a 2023 Ohio State University study found that anxiety, depression, and stress can be reduced by acts of kindness as small as a positive word. These actions ultimately led to feelings of happiness and satisfaction.

“When you help someone, you [have a] Having a positive impact on others increases your own sense of well-being and meaning,” Martella said. “In times of crisis, there are usually plenty of opportunities to help each other, which also helps foster a sense of solidarity.”

And while finding one’s purpose is a million-dollar question for many of us, it’s an answer worth pursuing for the good of society, Martella said.

”[A] “Having a strong sense of purpose makes it easier to endure bad situations,” he pointed out. “In fact, focusing on changing these situations is one of the obvious sources of purpose that can energize the person and help them find meaning in their current situation.”

Make a list of the things that bring you happiness, says Sunil Gupta, visiting scholar at Harvard University. He writes in his book, Everyday Dharma: His Eight Essential Practices for Finding Success and Joy in Everything You Do.

Then think about what all of these have in common – whether a pattern is forming.

System is important

Mr. Martela cited another important factor contributing to the country’s high morale. “Government institutions working well. I often say that government cannot make people happy, but it can remove many sources of happiness.”

For example, in many countries we can only dream of quality, affordable healthcare and education.

In Finland, it’s not just the norm, it’s a given.

“How your country is run has a huge impact on your well-being,” Martela said.

Whether social, political, or economic, turmoil, or anxiety, is the ultimate nuisance, he says.

“No amount of mindfulness or gratitude journaling or other popular interventions can save the public’s mood at that point,” he warned.