5 Scandinavian Lifestyle Hacks We Should All Live By

Given the climatic chaos and deteriorating condition of our planet, people have begun to look for a healthier and sustainable lifestyle. In doing so, they are looking towards countries that are the happiest and most sustainable in the world. According to the World Happiness Report, the countries that have made the list for the last eight years are Finland (1st place), Denmark (2nd place), Norway (5th place), and Sweden (7th place). This explains why people are concentrating on the Scandinavian lifestyle to embrace a healthy, balanced, and happy life. Sweden is one of the places that are constantly praised for its approach to ensuring the wellness of citizens by encouraging a work-life balance. Here are 5 tips to help you incorporate some of their concepts into your lifestyle.

1. Bring the Outside In

rnInstalling indoor plants in your home is a refreshing way to upgrade the interior of your household. Not only does it revamp the appearance of your home, but it also improves the air quality inside and stimulates air circulation. You can dedicate a space with a shelf to place all your potted plants and foliage, or scatter them around your home to add a bit of green to every corner. Hanging plants can add chicness to your living room; similarly, small cacti plants on the coffee table or bookshelf can elevate the appearance of the room. rnYou don’t have to invest in expensive plantation, but simple succulents, cacti, Aloe Vera, lavender, and similar varieties can do just the trick, and they’re very easy to look after. Houseplants create a happier ambiance in the home by absorbing all the toxins and harsh chemicals in the air, resulting in a healthy and clean living environment.

2. Practice ‘Fika’ – Daily Downtime

Fika is a major part of Swedish culture and is a daily ritual that involves making time to grab a bit and coffee with friends or colleagues. This concept is now being widely adopted by other nations as well since the idea of taking a break to relax with friends in between their tasks is known to boost productivity in employees and improve job satisfaction. Taking time out for some caffeine, a sweet treat, and a good company can be an immediate mood changer and help you recharge during some challenging assignments. Doing this once is uplifting, but making it a regular habit is a game-changer. This Scandinavian lifestyle hack is known to make your work environment a lot more relaxing and help reduce stress.

3. Sustainable Living

rnMaking small changes to your daily habits and shifting to a sustainable lifestyle can create a huge impact on your carbon footprint. The key to becoming a lagomer is adopting sustainable habits to reduce our environmental impact and lead a healthier life. Scandinavians are known to have a likeness for sustainable living, and this can be witnessed in their standard of living. Tight budgets and busy schedules make it extremely difficult for individuals to embrace eco-friendly habits, but who said these changes require us to step out of our comfort zones. Start simple like purchasing furniture, carpets, and other resources from thrift stores – you never know what vintage product you might find. If you’re worried about getting your carpet cleaned, then there are plenty of businesses in London that offer cleaning services using plant-based products. Simply run a search on Google for ‘carpet cleaning Epsom,’ and you’ll be prompted to best businesses in the market. Another great way to practice sustainable living is by supporting your local farmers and buying produce from farmer’s markets. They’re not only bursting with nutritious value but also much more affordable than store-bought goods. You can also walk or bike to shorter distances instead of taking the car as it saves fuel and also gets in a healthy dose of physical activity that we often neglect. Living sustainably doesn’t require big changes in your daily activities, you can start out small and incorporate practices in your daily routine to help you and your family become more mindful about your environmental influence.

4. Leave your Shoes at the Door

It is said to be a tradition in Scandinavia to take your shoes off at the entrance before entering a home. It’s considered a vital home etiquette in countries like Finland and Sweden, and guests are always asked to remove their shoes before going into the house. Most people have specified house shoes that are meant to be worn at home and not allowed outside, and some guests bring their personal indoor shoes for social gatherings or other events. This is quite a genius idea from a hygiene perspective as it eliminates the chances of dirt, mud, and other contaminants from entering the home. Shoe soles can also cause damage to the tiling and floors, which is why Scandinavians tend to avoid wearing outdoor shoes inside.

5. Be Thankful for Every day

In Sweden, there is a terminology called ‘lagom’ which simply translates to enjoying a balanced lifestyle – just the right amount. It concentrates more on embracing the beauty and comfort of what you have rather than spending a lot of expense on making significant changes. It’s about being more conscious of your spending, but that doesn’t mean you neglect any of your luxuries but learning to be happy with what you have. This, in turn, helps to create a healthier and happier environment within a home and helps one to practice mindfulness in times of distress and anxiety. You might be surprised how some minute changes can create a powerful impact without taking a chunk out of your wallet. This lifestyle hack is an influential way to get people to adopt a more sustainable and cost-efficient way of living, without depriving themselves of any amenities.

Final Thoughts

Embracing the Scandinavian lifestyle means opening up to a healthier, happier, and balanced life. It’s about implementing practices that might seem small but hold a lot of value and impact on one’s life. These small improvements can make a big difference and help improve our overall wellness so we can maintain healthy and strong relationships. Mastering these simple yet effective life hacks will help you practice mindfulness, gratitude, joy, and sustainability that prepare you to take on the challenges in life in a rejuvenated way.