Finland has been ranked first in the United Nations World Happiness Report six times in a row. Why is it that the far north of Europe is officially home to the happiest people? Our list of the top 10 secrets of Finnish happiness shows you that you can find much of it in Lakeland Finland.
1. Spending a lot of time in nature
Nature is omnipresent in Lakeland Finland and a huge source of strength for people. Even a walk during the lunch break can have an incredibly calming effect. If you go outside regularly and enjoy the tranquillity of nature, you will become more balanced and calm in everyday life. In addition, there are many health benefits. Most people in Finland have retained their closeness to nature to this day. Even young children spend a lot of time outdoors and have a lot of fun discovering the treasures that Mother Earth has given us. If you choose Lakeland Finland as your holiday destination, you will be surrounded by this beautiful nature. You can experience it first-hand, for example, on a hike through one of the national parks, which offer trails for both beginners and experienced adventurers.
Find the nature activities and destinations in Lakeland
2. Swimming in the refreshing lake water
Water is almost always part of the nature experience in Lakeland Finland. With its countless inland waters, this is the ideal region to find refreshment in the cool waters. For example, 30 lakes with a surface area of more than 100 km² await you, including Päijänne, Finland’s deepest lake and second largest in terms of surface area. Here, everyone will find the perfect place to go swimming, splash around or engage in a wide variety of water sports activities without being disturbed. Exercise in and on the water has also been proven to make people happy.
Discover the lakes and beaches in Lakeland
3. Take a sauna regularly
One of the most important secrets of Finnish happiness is without question the sauna, which also plays a significant role in Lakeland Finland. If you take a sauna regularly, you are doing something good for your body and soul. This has been scientifically proven by various studies. Moreover, when you sweat, the hectic pace of everyday life stays completely outside for a few hours. Just feel the moment, enjoy infusions as you like, do some thinking or have some lively conversations – the authentic Finnish sauna has few fixed rules. The main thing is that it feels good for you and that everyone has a good time. You can experience the authentic Finnish sauna in Tampere, the world’s sauna capital, in the Jyväskylä region, the sauna region of the world, and of course in any of the countless saunas throughout Lakeland Finland.
Have a sauna in Lakeland
4. Picking berries and mushrooms
Nature’s rich treasures attract people to the forests of Lakeland Finland in summer and autumn. Blueberries and lingonberries are among the most widespread pearls of the forests. They taste fantastic freshly picked and pure, but a delicious blueberry pie can also provide wonderful moments of happiness. The same goes for the numerous mushrooms that grow in Finland’s forests. Let yourself be pampered by the unique flavours of pure Finnish nature! Everyman’s right allows you to roam the forest and pick berries and mushrooms.
5. Me-time at the finnish cottage – mökki
Finns are sometimes considered to be reserved and introverted. Yet they are among the friendliest and most helpful people around. However, they know how to take a break from time to time – with the family or just for themselves. And where better to celebrate this me-time than at a typical Finnish holiday home? Lakeland Finland offers the perfect hideaway for your relaxation holiday.
Find cottages & villas in Lakeland
6. Healthy food from the purest ingredients
Lakeland Finland not only offers you delicious berries and mushrooms, but many more ingredients grow in the forests and fields that form the basis of tasty and healthy food, such as vegetables, potatoes and grains. Here you can taste pure nature with every bite. The same goes for meat from local farms and freshly caught fish. Sustainability is very important. The excellent restaurants in the cities and villages of Lakeland Finland are looking forward to welcoming you as a guest and serving you culinary delights.
Taste the local food in Lakeland
7. A healthy work-life balance
In Finland, people work to live – they do not live to work. Periods of leisure and recreation are just as important as good results at work. If you want to improve your work-life balance, do what more and more Finns are doing. Come to Lakeland Finland and try remote work in one of the many cottages in the area. What better way to recharge your batteries than with a little nature experience in your break?
8. Changing seasons
Nothing causes boredom or even a bad mood faster than monotony. Lakeland Finland delights with completely different and varied seasons. While everyone loves the summer with its bright nights, the autumn with its colourful forests and even more silence and the winter with snow and sometimes even northern lights provide magical moments. Finnish nature is constantly changing and invites you to have new experiences.
Learn more about the four seasons
9. A child- and family-friendly society
Finnish society is extremely child- and family-friendly. As a visitor to Lakeland Finland, you can enjoy the clean and creatively designed playgrounds, as well as child-friendly shops and restaurants. Families are welcome everywhere. A wide variety of experiences and activities await, where even the little ones will have a great time, be it on a gently sloping beach, in an amusement park or in a petting zoo.
Discover the family activities in Lakeland
10. Music for every taste
Finland is best known abroad as the cradle of heavy metal. In fact, no other country in the world has a greater density of bands from this genre. But there are also great artists in other musical genres, from classical to pop and rock to electronic music, who don’t have to be afraid of international competition. Finland’s most famous composer Jean Sibelius, for example, was inspired by forests and lakes, of which Lakeland Finland has so many to offer. Good music makes you happy. Discover the diverse soundscapes from Finland at the streaming provider of your choice or maybe even live at a concert in Lakeland Finland?
Find the music festivals and events in Lakeland