World's happiest nation: Finland's secret lies in community, kindness, and clear purpose
Happiness is a relative concept. Its meaning varies starkly from person to person. A Polish dictionary defines happiness as a feeling of immense satisfaction and joy. It can also refer to good fortune, success, or favorable circumstances. For some, happiness is about being with family. For others, happiness is derived from purchasing expensive, branded items or traveling. Some people feel genuine satisfaction from their professional work. Everyone draws their happiness from diverse sources, and there's nothing wrong with that. Regardless, the Finns stand out as one of the happiest people in the world. Could it be down to their climate? Their income, views, or perhaps their cuisine? We explore where their secret to life satisfaction lies.
11:31 AM EST, February 15, 2024
The underlying life principles of the Finns
Despite being recognized as the happiest nation, the source of the Finns' life satisfaction remains a mystery to many. Finnish psychology and philosophy researcher, Frank Martela, posits that Finns' happiness boils down to three commonly held beliefs in their society. These principles include:
- a profound sense of community and kinship,
- performing acts of kindness, and
- establishing a clear purpose for oneself.
Psychologist Martela explains that these three principal concepts are incredibly invaluable to Finns. He further advises everyone to incorporate these principles into their daily lives.
In an interview with Finnish media, Frank Martela also emphasized that having family and friends significantly increases the odds of experiencing happiness. It's about being surrounded by people who genuinely care about you. This feeling cannot be substituted by anything else, and it inherently generates happiness and peace for many. Several studies corroborate this finding. According to experts, spending quality time with friends and family dramatically enhances life quality. Importantly, this occurs irrespective of financial or material status.
Simple acts of kindness can significantly improve your life!
A study conducted at Ohio State University in 2023 revealed that small acts of kindness can mitigate anxiety, depression, and stress. The findings suggest that performing good deeds and extending even the slightest help to another person can result in happiness and satisfaction for many. Acts of kindness not only imbue a sense of purpose but also foster solidarity and build a connection among people. If you are yet to find happiness, consider the advice of a best-selling author, Suneel Gupta. In his book ''Everyday Dharma: The Timeless Art of Finding Joy in What You Do'', he advises making a list of things that bring you joy. Through this practice, one can potentially discover a pattern of behavior that enhances life satisfaction.
