A Finnish researcher finds happy Finns and shares tips

Scandinavian Finland has topped the list as the happiest country in the world for six consecutive years. Finnish philosopher and psychological researcher Frank Martella explains what Finns think the meaning of life is, and maybe we can learn something from these five points.

What makes life interesting? What makes life meaningful and how do you find a happy life in this way? Between all the meetings, social obligations, and financial pressures, you might forget about these kinds of questions for a while. But they are not completely insignificant.

By the way, do you know all these healthy ways to easily produce happiness hormones? And you feel happier?

Finnish psychological researcher on happy Finns

Finland performs surprisingly well on the happiness scale. According to Martella, this is because Finns understand what is important in life. A way of life that can be summed up in a few words: “Make sure you mean something to others.”

The philosopher gives against Americans CNBC 5 ways to make your life meaningful. According to him, you must make a deep connection with your environment and your passions.

1. Live for yourself, not for other people’s expectations

In Finland, feelings of anxiety seem to be less common in the population. This is because, according to Martela, Finns do not adhere to the social definition of success. “An intentional life becomes complicated if you don’t want to get ahead on your own, experience feelings of burnout or feel overwhelming resentment because you are the path set out by someone else before you chose. Even a meaningful job as a doctor can feel empty if your heart isn’t there.” According to the researcher, people should understand what makes them happy. “And do it more.”

2. Become an expert and share your knowledge

One of the best ways to mean something to others is to do something that fulfills the following three points:

1. You are good at that
2. You’re excited about it
3. It has a positive effect on others.

If you find a job or hobby that meets the above points, the psychological researcher encourages you to become an expert in it. Then share your knowledge on this topic with your environment.

3. Be spontaneously kind

Martella encourages his students to do three acts of kindness a day. According to him, these actions can be simple. “Offer a glass of water to the postman, spend some time with grandpa or grandma or help a tourist find his way.” He says it’s especially amazing how his students develop deep relationships with others as a result.

According to the philosopher, helping others is good for a person. This appears by the way scientific research as well. People who provide emotional support to their families, friends, and neighbors are more likely to live longer.

4. Be a good neighbor

Finns use the word grease For “doing something together that you can’t do alone.” In Finland, people used to carry a file grease When a big project had to be done. Neighbors would willingly get together and work for a day to help. Then they celebrated the function with food and drink. The tradition that the Finns still continue with their neighbors. Martela contends that this is one reason why Finns have less difficulty performing civic duties, such as paying taxes. They see this as an important part of the greater good of the whole.

5. Spend together in silence

According to Martella, you don’t have to make grand gestures to be important in someone’s life. It calls for collective action in silence. The researcher himself goes to the sauna with his father or his friends and they enjoy peace and nature. “These are moments of deep meaning and connection.”

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