Millions around the world are now in quarantine at home, self-enforced or otherwise. Whilst the idea of Netflix and chill (with some work thrown into the mix) sure sounds appealing at first, it won’t be long before a sense of confinement sets in and the nerves start to fray around the edges.

We all could use a few tips on how to remain sane, and remain happy, which is where the Finnish come in handy.

Last week, the UN issued its annual World Happiness Report, ranking 156 countries around the world. For the third year in a row, Finland was named the happiest country in the world.

In other words, it’s worth listening to what they have to say about happiness, and how to achieve it. Forbes spoke with Heli Jimenez, senior director of international marketing at Business Finland, about what makes Finns tick, and keeps them upbeat.

Those life lessons have been adapted to work indoors, as those who are able to start to batten down the batches and hope for the best.

Experience the relaxation of the forest on your sofa

 The first thing to know is that 70% of Finland is covered by forest and the air is clean and serene. “Nature is our secret,” says Jimenez. “We Finns like to put on a pair of rubber boots, head to the woods to slow down and calm our mind.”

even if you can’t get out of the house, you can replicate the experience at home and listen to the relaxing sounds of Finnish Lapland on the Scapes album on Spotify. “Close your eyes, stretch yourself on the sofa and have an imaginary sound trip to the Finnish forest,” says Jimenez.

Get your Finnish forest vibes on here.

Start your day with a cold shower

According to Jimenez, Finns love swimming in the winter in a lake or the sea, as much as they love the sauna. “The secret of plunging into icy water lies in the feeling that surges through your body once you get out of the water,” says Jimenez…

The easiest way to do this at home is with a quick, ice-cold shower. And don’t worry: Even a couple of minutes will make a big difference. “If you do it in the morning, you couldn’t ask for a more refreshing way to start your day,” says Jimenez.

When load shedding returns (and it will), it will be cold showers for many of us anyway. May as well try and look at it as a positive.

Make sense of the world by reading a book

In 2016 the United Nations named Finland the world’s most literate nation, and Finns love books—as well as public libraries. In fact, Helsinki’s new Oodi library was awarded the best public library in the world in 2019. “We are 5.5 million people, and we borrow close to 68 million books a year,” says Jimenez.

But if you can’t get to a library, no matter. Reading a book at home or online will have the same impact on your mental health and happiness. “Above all, reading (any) book is surely more relaxing than surfing social media,” says Jimenez.

For many, reading a book is what happens when you can’t find anything on Netflix, and you’ve exhausted all of your social media scrolling. This might be the time to look at once again prioritising reading.

You should also find reading in bed makes falling asleep far easier than the glow of your phone.

Bake a cinnamon bun

Finns are obsessed with a local cinnamon bun treat called korvapuusti, which means “slapped ears” in English. The difference in Finland: They are made a dash of cardamom. “For us, it’s the highlight of the day, and we definitely don’t count the calories,” says Jimenez…

Grown-up Finns love korvapuusti paired with coffee, and in fact, it is such a national treasure that there is a special word for it: pullakahvit, which literally means “bun coffee.”

If you’re looking for a korvapuusti recipe, you’re in luck – see here. Happy baking.

Enjoy art online

Another hallmark of Finland is its rich art scene, which ranges from experimental artist-run initiatives to commercial galleries to flagship art institutions. The country is home to more than 55 art museums, and much of the art in the country is inspired by the Finns’ close relationship with nature. The Finns also use art to “calm the mind and transport their thoughts to stress-free, comforting places.” says Jimenez.

Her advice: “Why not take a virtual trip from your own sofa to the Finnish museums to understand how art is a tool for happiness.”

You can take a virtual tour of the Amos Rex museum’s Generation 2020 exhibition via its Instagram stories, and there’s also something for the fans of more classical art.

Take a virtual tour of Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum, which includes more than 450 works by the famous Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela, here.

There you have it – five tips on happiness in the time of COVID-19.

We’re all in this together, so let’s look out for one another and flatten the curve.

I recommend reading this if you want to better understand why action now is so critical.

[source:forbes]