‘Find your Finnish calm’

Finland has once again been announced as the ‘Happiest Country
in the World’ by the United Nations World Happiness Report. Visit Finland thus shares some simple tips on finding your calm at home.

TIP 1 – Start your day with a cold shower (instead of a dip in a lake or the sea)

The Finns love winter swimming as much as they love the sauna. The easiest way to do this at home is to take an ice-cold shower for a couple of minutes.  Learn more about swimming at https://www.visitfinland.com/article/a-refreshing-dip-icy-waters/

TIP 2 – Make sense of the world by reading (instead of visiting a library)

Books are close to the Finns’ hearts. The country has 5.5 million people, and they borrow close to 68 million books a year. Moomins are probably the most known and adored Finnish literary icon. The white, hippo-like Moomins are Finnish characters created by the much-loved Swedish-speaking Finn, writer and artist Tove Jansson in the 1940s. Reading (any) book is surely more relaxing than surfing social media! Learn more about Moomins at https://www.visitfinland.com/article/long-live-the-moomins/

Tip 3 – Experience a relaxing forest path on your sofa (instead of walk in an actual forest)

It has been scientifically proven that only 15 minutes in the forest calms your pulse and your body starts to rest. So, close your eyes, stretch yourself on the sofa, and have an imaginary sound trip to the forest. Listen to Scapes album on Spotify at https://www.lapland.fi/visit/sound-of-lapland/scapes/

TIP 4 – Make the world a better (and tastier) place by baking a Cinnamon bun (instead of a visiting a Finnish café serving them)

The Finns love their coffee and Korvapuusti so much that there is actually a special word for it, Pullakahvit, which literally means ‘bun coffee’. Here is a great recipe for how to bake them, and make your world a little sweeter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ynuFYeEJMc

TIP 5 – Transport your thoughts through online mediums (instead of visiting a museum)

Finland’s contemporary art scene embraces everything from experimental artist-run initiatives and commercial galleries to flagship art institutions. Visit Taiko, the world’s largest online gallery, at https://en.taiko.art