By: Kristina Erkenborn/TT
Published: Less than 10 min ago
For the sixth year in a row, the Finns have been named the world’s happiest people in a UN report. But according to Heli Jimenez, CEO of the organization Business Finland, Finnish happiness is not a national secret but rather a skill that can be learned.
To prove this, the state tourism agency Visit Finland is giving away ten free trips to Finland for a four-day “masterclass” in Finnish philosophy and life balance. Expert coaches will teach themes such as nature and lifestyle, health and balance, design, food and well-being.
According to Heli Jimenez, Finns’ happiness stems from a close relationship with nature and a down-to-earth lifestyle, and she is echoed by the CEO of customer feedback company Happy Or Not, Miika Mäkitalo:
– We cherish the balance between work and private life, believe in our community and spend time making use of our proximity to nature, he tells CNBC.
He also points out that the concept of “sisu” plays an important role. The word lacks both a Swedish and an English equivalent, but roughly means pushing one’s own limits and taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges directly.
– The philosophy is an amalgamation of endurance, resilience and putting problems into perspective. Sisu defines our national character and is as recognizable and accepted a concept for Finns as the “American dream” can be for Americans, he says.
Finland’s first “Masterclass of happiness” will be held June 12-5 at the luxurious Kuru Resort, located by a lake in southern Finland. According to Visit Finland, the masterclass will be available online later this summer.