7 Steps to be Happy Like a Finn – Jyväskylä Region style
According to the World Happiness Report, Finland has just been chosen the happiest country in the world for the fifth year in a row, and that is no surprise to us! Inspired by that, we wanted to share our tips for being happy like a Finn – Jyväskylä Region style.
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Step 1: Sweat in a sauna
Sauna makes us happy. Jyväskylä Region is the Sauna Region of the World, so the possibilities for amazing sauna experiences are endless. In the region, you can enjoy the sauna by the lake, in the lake (that’s right, we have sauna rafts and houseboats with saunas), in a tent or in our award-winning smoke sauna! Or maybe you would like to try sauna yoga, sauna journey or sauna with spells and charms… There are plenty of unforgettable sauna experiences to explore in the Sauna Region of The World – that is one of the things that makes us the happiest country in the world.
Step 2: Walk in the forest
We are lucky, because nature is always close to us. Nature in the Jyväskylä Region is easily accessible – you can get to admire beautiful forest sceneries just by walking a short distance from the centre of Jyväskylä.
Because of Everyman’s Rights, you can walk in the forest freely without fees, you are able to put your tent in the middle of the forest to enjoy a good night sleep and pick berries as much as you can eat. Finns inherently carry gratefulness and appreciation towards the nature: we are proud to be responsible in the nature.
Step 3: Swim in a hole in the ice
Even though it might sound quite peculiar, winter swimming is actually a mind-blowing experience. Many Finns combine the freezing cold swim with a steamy sauna, and that is the secret behind the euphoric feeling after a good winter swim! It’s a combination of the opposites, hot and cold.
In the Jyväskylä Region, you can try winter swimming safely in holiday resorts, such as Revontuli and Peurunka. Remember to be careful and follow the instructions, and most importantly, enjoy.
Step 4: Pick berries and mushrooms
Finns love picking berries in the summer to have them all year around in their freezers. In the autumn, we switch to picking mushrooms, which are one of nature’s great gifts. The activity itself is a source of happiness for us – not to mention the process of eating!
Finns love their local food made from pure and locally grown ingredients. Many of Jyväskylä Region’s restaurants use local ingredients that are in the season. It is also a great and a simple way to support the locals.
Step 5: Enjoy the magical light
Finland is known for the four seasons, which are made visible by the amounts of light. During summer nights, especially at the time of midsummer, the sun sets only for a few hours. The sunlight boosts you with energy pretty much around the clock – no wonder Finns call these nights ‘’nightless’’.
The nights of winter are dark and filled with the sense of mystery. They leave space for resting and taking some time to oneself. If you get lucky, you will spot some Northern Lights – a colourful light show that is always an unbelievable sight.
Step 6: Have space
This is a no-brainer. The ability of the Finnish people to take space for themselves is good for well-being. Taking time to breathe, admiring the calmness of nature, and letting the mind to wander… That is what makes us blissful.
In the Jyväskylä Region, we have plenty of space. There are places that are quiet: places that give you space to dream and unwind. Forests, our four National Parks full of space and the stillness of saunas are excellent settings for calming down.
Step 7: Relax at a summer cottage
Finns love relaxing at a summer cottage during the warmth of summertime. It’s one of the most traditional and Finns’ favourite ways of spending the summer holiday. The days spent at a summer cottage include many activities that make us happy: going to a sauna, swimming in a lake and having some space to oneself.
Jyväskylä Region is known for the amount of summer cottages and possibilities for renting one. The summer is approaching – maybe give this tradition a try, combine all of the things that give us happiness, and be happy like a Finn.
Share your happy moments from the Jyväskylä Region using the hashtag #HappywithFinns!
Share your happy moments from the Jyväskylä Region using the hashtag #HappywithFinns!
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