Latest news with #FrankMartela
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
The most surprising habits people have in the world's happiest country — including this unusual weekly ritual
What's the secret to happiness? If you ask a Finn, it might just start with an outdoor hike followed by a cold plunge. Finland has once again clinched the top spot on the World Happiness Report — for the eighth year in a row — leaving the rest of us to wonder what kind of magic they're pumping into their pine trees. Supposedly, the Finns have specific habits that benefit their mental and physical health. 'It would be more accurate to say that Finland is the country that has the least unhappy people in the world,' said Frank Martela, a Finnish philosopher and psychology researcher, in an interview with CNBC Make It. So what's really behind all the smiles — or, at least, serene contentment? 3 Finland has once again clinched the top spot on the World Happiness Report — for the eighth year in a row. Seventyfour – Considering Finland's gorgeous landscape — it's no surprise that its residents supposedly prioritize being outside in nature. Daily life in Finland can include skiing, hiking, sailing and a balanced mix of small-town life with modern cities. 3 Finns supposedly prioritize being outside in nature. lucaar – And Finns love their near-daily walks in the woods — no matter the weather, you can catch them outside on a stroll getting their steps in. There's nothing like a breath of fresh air to put someone in a good mood. Supposedly, Finnish people also love to cook and utilize local ingredients that grow in nature. During the cold months, they rely on pickled foods — and in the nicer months, they take advantage of fresh fruit and veggies. Apparently, hopping into a sauna is a sacred weekly ritual that is as essential as teeth brushing for the Finns. Most public saunas include a lake or cold pool for a brisk plunge afterward, and Finns swear by the benefits. 3 In Finland, saunas aren't just a sweaty ritual — they're sacred, as routine as brushing your teeth. Most come with a cold plunge, and locals swear by the boost. rh2010 – Emerging research agrees: regular sauna sessions are linked to better relaxation, memory and sleep. One 2019 study found that 84% of users slept better after a good schvitz. In addition to their healthy habits, Finland's winning formula also boils down to three big beliefs: community and connection, doing good for others and having a strong sense of purpose, according to Martela. 'Having people around you who care about you, and whom you care about, makes people happy,' Martela told the outlet. 'Luckily, that can be true even in very dire material conditions.' Finns spend loads of quality time with their families — no toxic hustle culture here — and their social ties are stronger than a cup of Salmiakki. That closeness, research shows, matters far more than a fat paycheck. A 2023 Ohio State University study found that simple good deeds — like giving someone a compliment — helped reduce anxiety, depression and stress. 'When you help someone, when you [have a] positive impact on others, your own happiness and sense of meaningfulness increases,' said Martela. 'In situations of crisis, opportunities to help each other are typically plenty, and this helps also to build a sense of solidarity.' And while Americans might spend years spiraling over their 'life's purpose,' Finns take a more grounded approach — and benefit from it.
Sydney Morning Herald
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
Can this ‘boring' country teach us how to be happier at work?
Finland is a country that bats well above its weight. The northern European nation is less than half the size of New South Wales, has a population of just 5.6 million people, and surprised the world – including many of its citizens – when it was first named the happiest country on Earth in 2019. Last month, Finland held onto the title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report – a list published annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations and Gallup research. Every year, 100,000 people are asked how satisfied they are with their lives to compare differences in personal and national happiness. This year, Australia fell one place to be ranked 11th in the world. As part of research for my latest book, Work Backwards, I spent almost a month travelling around Finland to try to get to the bottom of why they've risen to the top of the happiness charts and stayed there. I discovered that one of the main reasons is how they think about their jobs and what they do. A lecturer at Helsinki's Aalto University, Frank Martela, an expert on the intersection between Finnish culture and happiness, helped me understand this better. Sitting in his office, surrounded by folders of his own research on the topic, Martela explains that many of his compatriots have 'a bit of a melancholic self-image' and view themselves as introverted and quiet. Another word to describe this that I kept hearing repeated around Finland? It's easy to get caught up in a culture that always pushes for more, which is why the Finnish approach to satisfaction is so refreshing. Many of them openly describe themselves as being a little bit boring, and they are perfectly OK with that. I wrote recently in defence of 'boring' jobs, and the underrated value that can bring to how you approach work. In a similar vein, living a simple life where you know what's important to you, and have regularly access to that, can help increase your satisfaction levels.
The Age
24-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
Can this ‘boring' country teach us how to be happier at work?
Finland is a country that bats well above its weight. The northern European nation is less than half the size of New South Wales, has a population of just 5.6 million people, and surprised the world – including many of its citizens – when it was first named the happiest country on Earth in 2019. Last month, Finland held onto the title for an unprecedented eighth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report – a list published annually by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, an initiative of the United Nations and Gallup research. Every year, 100,000 people are asked how satisfied they are with their lives to compare differences in personal and national happiness. This year, Australia fell one place to be ranked 11th in the world. As part of research for my latest book, Work Backwards, I spent almost a month travelling around Finland to try to get to the bottom of why they've risen to the top of the happiness charts and stayed there. I discovered that one of the main reasons is how they think about their jobs and what they do. A lecturer at Helsinki's Aalto University, Frank Martela, an expert on the intersection between Finnish culture and happiness, helped me understand this better. Sitting in his office, surrounded by folders of his own research on the topic, Martela explains that many of his compatriots have 'a bit of a melancholic self-image' and view themselves as introverted and quiet. Another word to describe this that I kept hearing repeated around Finland? It's easy to get caught up in a culture that always pushes for more, which is why the Finnish approach to satisfaction is so refreshing. Many of them openly describe themselves as being a little bit boring, and they are perfectly OK with that. I wrote recently in defence of 'boring' jobs, and the underrated value that can bring to how you approach work. In a similar vein, living a simple life where you know what's important to you, and have regularly access to that, can help increase your satisfaction levels.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lowest-ever US happiness ranking blamed on Biden-era loneliness and suicide
The United States has fallen to its lowest ever happiness ranking, with loneliness during Joe Biden's presidency and a rise in suicide and substance abuse blamed for the slump. America fell to 24th place in the World Happiness Report, its lowest score since the survey was first published in 2012. The report said: 'The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.' In 2023, roughly one in four Americans reported eating all their meals alone the previous day. The authors of the report said the number of people dining alone in the US had increased by 53 per cent in the last two decades and noted that sharing meals 'is strongly linked with well-being'. The report also stated that the United States was one of only a few countries to see a rise of so-called 'deaths of despair' – from suicide or substance abuse – at a time when those deaths are declining in the majority of countries. The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, while Joe Biden was president. The United Kingdom, at position 23, was given its lowest ranking in nine years. Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row, with Finns and experts thanking its grand lakes and strong welfare system for boosting its mood. Afghanistan, plagued by a humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, once again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world. Nordic countries all stayed among the 10 happiest, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden trailing Finland, which slightly extended its lead over runner-up Denmark. Meanwhile, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, at the sixth and 10th spots. Despite the war with Hamas, Israel came in at eighth. The happiness ranking is based on a three-year average of individuals' self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Frank Martela, an assistant professor specialised in well-being and happiness research at Aalto University, told AFP: 'It seems that Finnish people are relatively satisfied with their lives. 'Democracy is functioning well, we have free elections, free speech, low levels of corruption and all of these have shown to predict higher levels of national well-being.' He added that the Nordic countries also all have relatively strong welfare systems – with parental leave, unemployment benefits and mostly universal healthcare – which also contribute to higher levels of well-being on average. Eveliina Ylitolonen, a 23-year-old student in Helsinki, said she believed that Finns' focus on enjoying beautiful nature could help explain the consistently high level of happiness in the Nordic country, which is known for its deep forests and over 160,000 lakes. She told AFP: 'Nature is an important part of this happiness.' This year, the authors of the happiness report said new evidence indicates that engaging in acts of generosity and believing in the kindness of others are 'significant predictors of happiness, even more so than earning a higher salary'. They also noted that in general 'people are too pessimistic about the kindness of their communities', and that 'the return rate of lost wallets is much higher than people expect'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Lowest-ever US happiness ranking blamed on Biden-era loneliness and suicide
The United States has fallen to its lowest ever happiness ranking, with loneliness during Joe Biden's presidency and a rise in suicide and substance abuse blamed for the slump. America fell to 24th place in the World Happiness Report, its lowest score since the survey was first published in 2012. The report said: 'The increasing number of people who eat alone is one reason for declining well-being in the United States.' In 2023, roughly one in four Americans reported eating all their meals alone the previous day. The authors of the report said the number of people dining alone in the US had increased by 53 per cent in the last two decades and noted that sharing meals 'is strongly linked with well-being'. The report also stated that the United States was one of only a few countries to see a rise of so-called 'deaths of despair' – from suicide or substance abuse – at a time when those deaths are declining in the majority of countries. The report surveyed people worldwide in 2022-2024, while Joe Biden was president. The United Kingdom, at position 23, was given its lowest ranking in nine years. Finland ranked as the world's happiest country for the eighth year in a row, with Finns and experts thanking its grand lakes and strong welfare system for boosting its mood. Afghanistan, plagued by a humanitarian catastrophe since the Taliban regained control in 2020, once again ranked as the unhappiest country in the world. Nordic countries all stayed among the 10 happiest, with Denmark, Iceland and Sweden trailing Finland, which slightly extended its lead over runner-up Denmark. Meanwhile, Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top 10 for the first time, at the sixth and 10th spots. Israel placed at eighth Despite the war with Hamas, Israel came in at eighth. The happiness ranking is based on a three-year average of individuals' self-assessed evaluations of life satisfaction, as well as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Frank Martela, an assistant professor specialised in well-being and happiness research at Aalto University, told AFP: 'It seems that Finnish people are relatively satisfied with their lives. 'Democracy is functioning well, we have free elections, free speech, low levels of corruption and all of these have shown to predict higher levels of national well-being.' He added that the Nordic countries also all have relatively strong welfare systems – with parental leave, unemployment benefits and mostly universal healthcare – which also contribute to higher levels of well-being on average. Eveliina Ylitolonen, a 23-year-old student in Helsinki, said she believed that Finns' focus on enjoying beautiful nature could help explain the consistently high level of happiness in the Nordic country, which is known for its deep forests and over 160,000 lakes. She told AFP: 'Nature is an important part of this happiness.' This year, the authors of the happiness report said new evidence indicates that engaging in acts of generosity and believing in the kindness of others are 'significant predictors of happiness, even more so than earning a higher salary'. They also noted that in general 'people are too pessimistic about the kindness of their communities', and that 'the return rate of lost wallets is much higher than people expect'.
