Finland gives us tips to be the sea of happy.
My happiest moments of 2019 were spent in Finland , where I spent a cold and sunless week in Lapland in November. The fresh air and stunning natural beauty sustained me even in the face of 3pm sunsets, and my mission was keep my happy and nature-loving attitude until 2020 , and then the coronavirus appeared. Sudden changes are stressful and, according to psychologists, can worsen mental health conditions to varying degrees . I have kept in touch with my family and have Zoom sessions with my therapist, but a part of me wishes I could just catch a plane back to Finland.
Fortunately for everyone struggling with the idea of "getting through the day without crying" right now, the Finnish tourism board has shared the country's top five tips for happiness, specifically when you're stuck at home . And seeing how the United Nations World Happiness Report rated Finland as the happiest country in the world for the fourth consecutive year this 2021 , we suggest you pay attention. So take a deep breath and follow these steps to enjoy happiness the Finnish way until you can embark on your next adventure.
1. START THE DAY WITH A COLD SHOWER
You probably know the sauna culture in most of the Nordic countries, but the finns in particular like to add a little ice to the fire . Winter swimming is an extremely popular activity in Finland; there are even spas that offer ice swimming, with elegant underwater light installations to reduce the level of fear. But there are many citizens who still prefer to take the step the old fashioned way: jumping into a frozen lake as soon as they wake up in the morning.
Are we going to the water?
The idea of diving headfirst into dark waters before the sun rises (if it ever does) sounds like a hard taste to acquire, but the Finns swear by it. they get a big rush of happiness as soon as they get back on solid ground and their circulation picks up . The heating process of your body goes hand in hand with the production of serotonin with dopamine, also known as mood-enhancing hormones.
The easiest way to reproduce this feeling at home is take an ice cold shower for a couple of minutes first thing in the morning . The post-shower sensations will be like those experienced during winter swimming in Finland. Also you can alternate hot and cold showers to recreate that "sauna" feeling and get your blood circulating.
2.READ, READ AND READ
Finns hold books very close to their hearts. The United Nations named Finland** the most literate nation in the world in 2016**, and its citizens continue to be an avid audience for public libraries. (Finland is a country of 5.5 million people, but Finns borrow about 68 million books a year ). One of the most popular literary icons of Finland is the Moomin, a white hippopotamus-like character created by Finnish writer Tove Jansson in the 1940s . Since then, the Moomins have become part of the country's identity; Finnair even chose the Moomins to advertise its family-oriented travel services.
There goes the second: read, read and read!
Moomin books can be found in all Finnish bookstores and libraries, and can also be ordered online. However, you can find literary happiness outside of this series (although it's hard to replicate that level of cuteness). Sitting down with a good book has become one of our favorite coping mechanisms in this pandemic. ; see our list of books to travel from home . Any book on this list is more relaxing than scrolling through the news or social media, we guarantee it.
3.VISIT THE FOREST FROM YOUR SOFA
From the sound of soft rustling leaves to the calming effect of the color green, spending time among the trees is one of the best things you can do for yourself . And although the term "bath in the forest" — basically being present in the forest through slow movements and a focus on the senses — originated in Japan, the Finns have long believed that their souls are linked to the forest and its magical elements. Studies have shown that spending time in the woods can reduce cortisol (the main stress hormone), blood pressure and heart rate ; But even if you can't get to a grove right now, you can easily replicate the sensory part of the experience at home.
Visit Finland has compiled the relaxing sounds of Finnish Lapland into an album titled "Scapes" , which you can download now on Spotify. Each of the tracks is between 7 and 8 minutes long, with sounds including birdsong in a forest, reindeer grazing in a field and a crackling fire in a cozy cabin . To relax after a day of work, lie on your sofa, close your eyes (if you have a sleep mask, even better) and go on an imaginary journey into the arctic wilderness.
4. BAKE SOME CINNAMON BUNS
Another much appreciated tradition in Finland is the coffee break , which is much more charming than the pre-lunch rush to Starbucks we're used to. Finns take time out of the day to enjoy a strong coffee accompanied by a sweet, usually korvapuusti (the famous cinnamon rolls), or in bun format, baked with a pinch of cardamom and then covered with coarse grains of pearl sugar. Practically every cafe in Helsinki bakes cinnamon buns every morning, but preparing them yourself can be just as satisfying . With sweets like this, is it any wonder Finland is the happiest country in the world?
Cooking has always been therapy, if they are cinnamon buns, even more so!
5. TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR THROUGH A MUSEUM
Finland has a thriving contemporary art scene , encompassing both experimental installations and more conventional galleries and museums. There are more than 55 art museums scattered throughout the largest cities in the country (which is quite impressive, given Finland's sparse population). While the artwork here is quite dynamic, much of it focuses in the close relationship of the Finns with nature . And just like swimming in winter or bathing in the forest, citizens use art to calm the mind and relieve stress.
We'd definitely recommend visiting some of Finland's best art museums in person one day, but in the meantime, these are some of the main institutions in the country that currently offer virtual tours and online experiences: Amos Rex (for immersive installations and avant-garde architecture), Rovaniemi Art Museum (for cool sculptures and Lapland nature) and Atheneum Art Museum (for classical art).
Article originally published by Condé Nast Traveler USA