The Art of Slow Living in the Nordics: How Slowing Down Can Improve Your Productivity and Happiness

Today, I am going to show you how to leverage slow living the Nordic way, to promote your health and well-being and become more content with your life.

By doing so, you will start living more naturally and authentically, at a pace closer to the human default.

When humans emerged as the dominant species on the planet, they lived at a slow pace. Even their work and quest for food were slow, even though their environment was particularly harsh and hostile.

With time and the advent of humanity and technology, we sped up our way of life and work, making everything fast, faster, as fast as possible.

The High Speed Pandemic makes people lose themselves on the way and lowers their quality of life, despite aiming for the opposite.

More and faster money and wealth, socialising and relationships, work and success have not only been normalised but also glorified.

Unfortunately, sky-high rates of mental health and psychological issues don’t support the “live and work fast” concept.

In contrast, a slower, more natural and varied pace in life and work is increasingly considered the new “golden rule” for living a Good Life.

The Nordic countries are fine exemplars of embracing slower living, although cultural homogenisation has taken its toll on that even in the Nordics.

You may as well see people live frantically, overwork, and burn out there. However, slower living is deeply rooted in their history and culture, partly because of the harsh climate that doesn’t allow for much during the many cold, dark months of the year.

It has also been measured that Nordic people are among the happiest in the world. So, naturally, one can only wonder if there’s a link between slower living and happiness.

This is the central question that needs to be answered. How does slow living, as practiced in Nordic cultures, lead to greater productivity and happiness?

Wait! Happiness or contentment?

The Nordic countries rank high in “happiness” reports. However, many argue that it’s not happiness that the Nordic people experience the most, but contentment, as a result of slower living (among other factors).

Happiness is good, and most people actively search for it. However, one must understand that happiness is fleeting. It’s usually emotion-driven and linked to temporary circumstances, like occasions or events.

For example, a wedding, a holiday celebration, a trip to an exotic place, a deep conversation with a friend, a hyggelig weekend with your spouse, and a warm hug from your child, to name a few.

These are momentary manifestations of happiness, and although we should not discard them in any way, we can’t help but accept that what we could describe as “deeper and longer happiness” is contentment in disguise.

Contentment is a quiet, steady, deep sense of satisfaction that occurs when one accepts and appreciates life as it is without constantly seeking more.

Most people chase happiness in grand moments. In reality, happiness often exists in the peaceful, ordinary moments that make people feel content with their lives.

Being content is a deeper and more sustainable (therefore harder to lose) sense of happiness, and slower living is part of it.

Contentment essentially consists of these three pillars:

• accepting what is (a sense of realism and seeing life and the world as they truly are, without idealism or exaggeration)
• appreciating the simple things (like nature or simple cosy moments with friends)
• feeling a sense of peace and fulfillment regardless of circumstances (a sense of meaning that resonates even when in silence or solitude, without the need for external validation)

The link is now more evident. Slower living leads to more contentment. Slow living, as practiced in the Nordics, makes people more content. Let’s explore how.

Is Nordic realism the real secret to a more content life?

Contentment is about accepting things as they truly are. That’s a very healthy dose of realism without becoming cynical.

The Nordic people are often called “extreme realists and pragmatists”. That may be true to a certain extent, but here’s the thing.

Realism acknowledges that we have finite resources, like time and energy. Slow living is in perfect sync with this view of our resources as humans. It encourages us to prioritise what truly matters and to let go of the urge to do and seek more constantly.

Life is not always perfect, either. Even if you constantly do and seek more, you may never reach perfection. If you go slow and focus on the present moment, you appreciate the simple things in life, find joy in the imperfect, and cultivate inner peace. That’s very mindful, and slow living is the epitome of mindfulness.

However, values like honesty and truthfulness are the foundation of slow living and its link to realism. You can’t live and work at a slower, more natural pace if you are not true to yourself, live according to your values, and build meaningful, deep connections and relationships with others.

Slower living provides a framework for a more realistic life, and people in the Nordics know that well.

That’s why they have a cultural preference for values, like humility, honesty, authenticity, and straightforwardness, avoid excessive optimism or idealism, and follow a more pragmatic and realistic approach to life and work.

They prioritise time for family and friends, leisure, and personal well-being, while working smart and effectively.

And they share a strong understanding of the long, harsh Nordic winters, finding ways to cope with these challenges and thrive despite them.

Beyond hygge and minimalism: How Nordic simplicity can unlock a slower and more meaningful life

If you asked 100 people what comes to mind when hearing the word “Nordic”, most would mention hygge and minimalism.

Popular culture has glorified those concepts, and they soon became buzzwords and gained virality. Unfortunately, with virality comes shallowness.

Hygge is not about wool socks, candles and a glass of wine by the fireplace. It’s way more than that. It’s about cosiness, comfort, well-being, and slowly enjoying simple pleasures (with loved ones or alone) without rush or an agenda.

Minimalism is not about white walls, curved glassware, and a decluttered desk or home. It’s about simplicity, intentionality, and focusing on what truly matters. It encourages you to reduce excess, go slow, and embrace only what adds value.

Nordic simplicity offers a more profound path to slow living than fleeting trends.

It’s about reducing distractions and promoting genuine connections to self, nature and the community.

Hygge is a fantastic concept and an example of what could be slower living. However, it quickly became overly focused on aesthetics and consumerism.

The same goes for minimalism. It now has an almost negative notion and is linked to being rigid, obsessive, and leading to deprivation.

Nordic simplicity is more about a deeply ingrained mindset that fosters slow living and promotes:

• A focus on experiences, not possessions, like time spent in nature or with loved ones, personal growth, and collective engagement. The paradox is that this occurs in some of the wealthiest countries in the world, like the Nordics. One could expect a culture that focuses enough on material possessions. Instead, one experiences a culture that discourages boasting and emphasises the value of non-material things (although you could still meet people talking about their fancy Tesla and minimalistic house in the suburbs, or their expensive holidays in Thailand).
• A deep respect and connection to nature. Friluftsliv is an excellent concept that translates to “open-air living” in Norwegian and Swedish. It represents a deep appreciation for nature and an outdoor lifestyle, emphasising slow and simple activities in nature. The concept is simple: spend as much time outdoors as possible, all year round (winter or cold is no excuse), with family and friends, or in solitude. Living and working at a fast pace rarely allows for time in nature (busyness is always the excuse).
• A balanced approach to life. Lagom is a Swedish concept that roughly translates to “not too little, not too much, just the right amount”. It’s about balance, moderation, and living in harmony. It’s not self-denial and certainly much more profound than strict minimalism. Lagom helps you understand and define the boundaries between just enough and not enough or excess. A fast-paced life and work is not lagom.

The Productivity Paradox: Why slowing down works

In a hyper-productive, always-on culture, like the one most people in Western societies and other advanced economies live in, the idea of slowing down to boost effectiveness and productivity may sound counterintuitive.

The conventional view of productivity calls for more hours, more tasks, and multitasking. Still, in most cases, productivity is not going up.

On top of that, how can you define and measure the productivity of today’s primarily knowledge-work employees when that term was coined in the industrial age to measure how much factory workers could produce?

The signs are there. The Hustle Culture doesn’t work, and it can’t improve productivity or be a sign of or condition for success—quite the opposite.

Slowing down improves focus and concentration, boosts creativity and innovation, and improves decision-making, leading to higher-quality work. In addition, a slower pace of work significantly reduces the risk of burnout and improves mental and physical health.

This Productivity Paradox is especially relevant to understanding how the Nordic countries achieve such high levels of productivity, innovation, and well-being despite not being workaholics.

We can call it Slow Productivity, and it’s no wonder that the Nordic culture actively supports it.

• Work-life balance is a priority.
• Working smart and effectively without putting in more hours is prioritised (no unnecessary or long meetings or calls, no time for chit-chat during work hours).
• Being present and engaged at work is appreciated (so you can leave earlier if you have to, for example, pick up your child from daycare).
• Autonomy and trust in Nordic workplaces are a no-brainer (don’t expect complex hierarchies, constant control or instructions about everything).
• Regular breaks are perfectly normal and even prioritised. For example, the Swedish concept of fika is deeply ingrained in workplace culture.
• The Lagom philosophy helps focus on the essentials at work, which truly move the needle.
• Spending time in nature is an integral part not only of Nordic life but also of the Nordic workplace culture. It’s not uncommon to see employees in Norway leave early to catch some sun or go hiking in the forest.

4 ways to design your life around slow living

At its core, slow living encourages mindful engagement with daily activities, fostering a deeper appreciation for life’s simple pleasures and a greater sense of inner peace. Here are 4 ways to do it:

• Embrace silence and solitude: set aside time for quiet reflection and solitude. Meditate, journal, or simply enjoy moments of silence to connect with your inner self and reduce mental clutter.
• Embrace friluftsliv: dedicate time each day to being outdoors, regardless of the weather. Walk in nature, hike, or simply drink your coffee outside. Experiencing nature reduces stress and promotes mindfulness.
• Practice hygge in your home: create a cozy and comfortable living space with soft textures, warm lighting, and natural elements. Prioritize simple pleasures like reading by the fire, enjoying a warm drink, or spending time with loved ones, without phones or other distractions.
• Cultivate lagom: embrace the concept of “just enough.” Avoid overconsumption, strive for balance in all aspects of life, and appreciate simplicity.

Wrapping up

So, what if the secret to a more fulfilling life isn’t about doing more, but about experiencing more deeply? What if, by slowing down, we could unlock a level of contentment and productivity we never thought possible?

Could embracing Nordic simplicity be the key to escaping the “High Speed Pandemic” and finding joy in the everyday?

It’s time to challenge the status quo, prioritize well-being over relentless pursuit, and rediscover the art of slow living as practiced in the Nordics.

Are you ready to trade the fleeting highs of happiness for the enduring peace of contentment? Join the Nordic discussion on X.