Finland is the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report.
The well-being of its people has sparked great interest in the country and its practices. And Finland is offering guidance on how to be happier, free of charge, in the form of a virtual masterclass.
In hopes of finding my inner Finn, I watched all five lessons of the course, and these are my biggest takeaways.
1. Connecting with nature is important for your mental health, no matter where you live.
As someone who lives in a city, I thought reaping nature’s benefits would be impossible for me without traveling far. However, the course taught me that having a relationship with nature doesn’t have to look like being in the forest or sailing on a river; it’s more about being in tune with my five senses as I walk outside to do the simple things like grabbing a coffee or commuting to work.
2. It’s better to have enough than to want more.
I’ll be the first to admit that I view myself as a go-getter, and it’s something that I’ve taken much pride in. But there is a downside to always aiming higher and wanting more.
My goal moving forward is to honor where I am in life. Instead of focusing too much on everything else I want, I’ll aim to simply be open to the possibilities on the horizon.
3. The way you design your space can impact your mental health.
Initially, I wasn’t sure what I’d gain from a lesson about design because it didn’t seem essential to happiness. Yet hearing design professional Taina Snellman-Langenskiöld talk about how much our homes and the spaces we visit frequently affect our well-being was fascinating.
Buying meaningful, functional and beautiful objects can improve your surroundings. Adding something natural like flowers or plants can help, too.
— Renée Onque, Life reporter
