Is happiness really found in nature? So say the Finns!

Finland is the home of Santa Claus, right? Well, maybe. because the Danes believe it is Greenland. But it is also a country with very long, cold and dark winters, not so talkative people and high alcoholism and suicide rates. These sound stereotypical and they are indeed. Because Finland also has long summer days (when the sun doesn’t set at all), a unique language and it has managed to substantially decrease alcohol problems and suicides, among its population in recent years. But above all, Finland has an amazing nature. Is this their key to happiness? According to the latest report, Finland is the happiest country in the world. And Finns blame it on… nature! How come?

Happiness lies in the pines and birches!
The Finns believe that their contact with nature really makes them happy. Instead of going to their therapist, they put on their boots and go to the great outdoors, to find calm. Lakes, islands and thick forests are more than abundant in this large country. Finland has more forest per square mile than any other country in Europe. Add around 190.000 lakes and 180.000 islands and you got the recipe for happiness.What makes the Finns (and other Nordic people) unique is that they appreciate nature and have even introduced the universal “Freedom to Roam“. This is a right of all people to access, walk, cycle, ride, ski, and camp on any land in the country. This is truly “Every man’s right”, as the word “jokamiehenoikeus” literally means.

The Finns promise to “save the world from stress”! 
Similarly to “The Swedish Number” campaign to celebrate the freedom of speech in the country, Finland is now searching for its own happiness ambassadors, to celebrate their happiness. The so-called Happiness Guides can be native Finns or internationals living in the country, as long as they resonate with the Finnish state of mind. Their task will be to provide Finnish experiences in nature to visitors from abroad. To show them how nature can be the healer. They claim “they will save the world from stress”. So, join the movement and go rent a Finn!