Nordic Lifestyle Habits – 5 Finland Lifestyle Tips from the World's Happiest Country

Finland, aka my home country, is consistently ranked the happiest country in the world.

But what is the secret? It's not money or material wealth.

It's a deeply ingrained culture of slow living, deep connection to nature, and intentional rituals that have been practiced for generations.

But don’t get me wrong, Finns would not call the lifestyle in Finland “slow living” or “intentional rituals” or other instagrammable terms like that, but it’s rather the unfeigned, unpretentious existence.

Finns always laugh at the “the happiest country in the world” results, as we don’t use such grand, English terms like “happiness”, but we’d rather call it satisfaction of life as it is.

This article explores 6 Nordic lifestyle habits, specifically from Finland, that you can incorporate into your own life to taste the Finnish happiness.

These are not fleeting trends. They are practices for a calmer, more intentional life.

In Finland, sauna is not a fancy spa rarity, but rather a weekly way of living. There are over 3 million saunas in a country of 5.6 million people.

Sauna is not just for bathing and washing yourself, it is a place to relax, let go of physical and mental stress, and forget everything else outside the sauna door.

It’s not a place for pretentiousness: work titles, bank account digits and all status symbols are left behind when you sit butt-naked in steaming room with friends or strangers.

And this can be very liberating, especially if you’re from a culture where holding some kind of “facade” is important.

One of the best ways to describe what sauna means to Finns is the lyrics of Finnish artist Olli Halonen song Synnytty Saunomaan (Born to go to Sauna)

It captures everything: birth, death, business deals, healing, celebration, and the simple Saturday ritual that resets the week. "What is said in the sauna, stays in the sauna. What is agreed on the benches, is also done."

Mökkeily (cottage life) is the ultimate expression of Finnish slow living. It's about escaping to a simple cabin in the forest or by a lake, with no agenda.

It’s not about doing nothing, but it’s about being fully present on the activities that mökki life entails, like heating sauna and fireplaces with wood, carrying water from lake and cooking slowly.

This may sound tough or not relaxing, but being fully present to simple tasks is actually very recovering, especially for modern people used to daily chaotic traffic on highways and online channels.

Cottage living does include also slow living, like board games, sitting on the porch with coffee staring into the forest, talking through the nightless nights, reading in a hammock and watching the birds over a lake.

You may also want to read my column: Stop Mistaking Convenience for Freedom: Having Nothing Is The Ultimate Act of Self-Care

How to Apply It:

• Schedule regular "micro-retreats" – a few hours in a local park, a day trip to a quiet spot, or a weekend without a schedule.

• Take a Digital Detox. How to get started? Glad you asked, start here: How to Start Digital Detox – Free Challenges for 1, 7, 14 & 30 Days

Nature is not a destination in Finland; it is a part of daily life.

We are one of the few cultures where everyone still has some sort of nature connection, as well as easy access to nature.

It’s completely normal to escape to forest after a day of work for a long walk, bicycle ride, or simply existing or hugging trees.

I know this sounds weird but I promise it works calming down your whole nervous system.

Finns spend time in forests for hiking, barbecuing, and berry picking. Foraging for wild berries and mushrooms is a national pastime.

How to Apply It:

• Spend at least 30 minutes in a green space without your phone.

• Learn to identify one or two wild plants in your area.

It’s easy to get stuck on consumerism where nothing feels enough.

Finnish design and wellness embrace natural materials and thoughtful design. It is a philosophy of "knowing when you have enough."

In Finland we like to think a lot about everyday practicality and we have some innovations in this field as well.

For example, we have drying cabinet above the sink where to place dishes.
We have duvet covers with holes in the corners to practically put the duvet in.
I could go on and on.

The point is, the more you manage to simplify your life, the simpler it becomes.

How to Apply It:

• Simplify your skincare regimen.

• Declutter your space and your mind.

In Finland, movement is woven into daily life, not just as exercise, but as a source of fun, resilience, and connection. Many Finns walk or cycle to work or their place of study all year round, regardless of the weather.

Hobbies are also part of adults everyday life, not to master a skill, but for leisure and connection with others.

How to Apply It:

• Choose walking or cycling for short trips instead of driving.

• Incorporate "movement snacks" into your day.

In Finland, there is no need to hold up a facade. You can be authentically yourself, because everyone else is doing the same.

Finns don't engage in performative small talk. When someone asks "How are you?" they actually want to know. And you can answer honestly. There is no pressure to say "fine" when you're not. The culture values sincerity over showmanship.

This is deeply liberating. It means you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not. You don't have to perform success, happiness, or busyness.

How to apply it:

• Let go of the need to impress. You are enough as you are.

• In conversations, prioritize genuine connection over filling the silence.

Practical Steps:

1. Start Small: Choose one habit from this list. For example, create a weekly "sauna ritual" with a hot bath and cool shower.

2. Be Intentional: The Finnish way is not about rushing through a checklist. It's about being present. When you walk, walk. When you sit, sit.

3. Connect with Nature: Even if you live in a city, find a patch of green. Let nature be your anchor.

4. Embrace Simplicity: Ask yourself, "Do I need this?" or "Is this adding to my peace?"

5. Be Authentic: Let go of the need to perform. Practice answering "How are you?" honestly.

• Explore more slow living guides → 

• Try the 7-Day Digital Detox Challenge → 

• Discover Finland travel guides → 

• Discover The Coziest Accommodations in Finnish Lapland → 

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