5 Ways To Be Happy And Healthy Like The Norwegians

In 2017, Norway was listed as the happiest country, and it remains one of the happiest countries in the world, ranking 7 out of 10, with Finland as the happiest. So, Scandinavia is special, but let’s check out some fun facts on what makes Norway the happy and healthy country it is.

On my recent summer trip to Norway, I was able to gain some cultural insights by connecting with some locals, including an Australian expat who had lived in Norway for over 10 years. Norwegian culture emphasizes financial stability and a connection with nature, which contributes to their mental health and lifestyle balance and being down-to-earth in a genuine way. Of course, given the beautiful landscape, it’s easy to see why Norwegians love the outdoors. 

I found it super easy to travel as a non-Norwegian in Norway. You can use a Visa card everywhere and the public transportation system is all on the ATB app. The price translation to USD is simply 10% of the Norwegian krone/NOK, so you just move the decimal point one space to the left, and that’s the amount in U.S. dollars (for example, 100 NOK would be $10). Prices are relatively expensive, but Norwegian clothing and home products are of excellent quality. By the same token, food is pricey, but salmon and local fish prices are cheaper compared to those in the States and other countries. Almost everyone, except some young children and elderly folks, speaks English. The Norwegian people practice a very admirable respect for one another and seem to be well-mannered people in general. Unlike some places like Paris or New York, I never encountered a single rude person in my 10 days in Norway – everyone was extremely helpful and kind. 

Norway’s Economy and Culture

The Australian expat explained to me that Norway’s government social system is geared toward the individual and helping its citizens. It’s efficient in its management, and the economy is stable. “The system works, and it takes care of you,” he said. “If you want to have a kid, you receive a year of paid maternity/paternity leave with no trouble. I don’t know anyone who is homeless, and you don’t see homeless people walking around. Almost everyone has a Tesla; Tesla is like the new Mac.” 

Norway is an expensive country in general, so those who live there have to be financially prosperous to thrive. Indeed, there aren’t ghetto areas and homeless people walking around, even in the bigger cities like Oslo and Trondheim, as you see in many American areas or other European cities. The numerous farms are independent; this is why Norway stayed out of the EU, so it could maintain its independence.

Norwegians are very live-and-let-live, and they’re generally positive while not oblivious or burying their heads in the sand. They consider it a crime to work more than 40 hours per week, and on the weekend, most people will be out hiking or doing some activity with family or friends. On Sundays, all the shops (except the odd gas station or convenience store) and most restaurants are closed; the weekend, especially Sunday, is sacred for rest and personal time. 

Obviously, there’s a good incentive to be outdoors when there is a beautiful landscape all around you! Even if you don’t live in a beautiful area like Norway, you can still incorporate lifestyle habits that the Norwegians practice.

1. Regularly Connect with Nature

Maybe this is an obvious one, but it’s for good reason! Norwegians place a lot of emphasis on being outdoors and getting quality time in nature to decompress away from the busyness of city life and professional work. People get out and head to the woods and hike and bike on the regular. 

This doesn’t have to do with any type of spiritual philosophy but is solely scientific. Being outdoors makes you happier. When you’re active and consistently exercising, as well as being outdoors in sunlight, your natural serotonin levels are high and stable. Research even shows that time in nature can improve mental health and sharpen mental cognition. So, the culture’s active lifestyle helps keep them down to earth, contented, happy, and healthy. 

2. Eat Your Daily Omega-3s

Fish makes up most of the Norwegian cuisine, especially salmon, which is one of the best foods to consume for general wellness, brain function, and overall energy. It’s high in multiple nutrients, especially omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins B-complex, and D (which supports brain health and mood). I ate smoked salmon almost every day in Norway, and my energy was at a peak. 

Keep salmon, eggs, and fish oils on your shopping list and in your kitchen. Unless you have an allergy, try to consume salmon and eggs a few times a week. Salmon is super easy to prep, and you can season it in so many ways. You can use canned salmon to eat with salad or cooked in buttery brown rice for a salmon risotto. 

3. Weigh Your Work-Life Balance

Norway is a very economically stable and prosperous country, albeit expensive. The country has a successful economy, but Norwegians aren’t obsessed with being rich. They don’t consider money first on the list of life priorities. Achieving good grades and pursuing a respectable profession are all a given in the process of being successful. They’re financially successful and live comfortably, but they don’t prioritize making money or being rich as a goal in itself. They view money as a tool, and they stabilize their finances so they can then just appreciate life.

Ask yourself if you feel happy and content. If there is something holding you back from immediately saying “yes,” then consider what that factor is and what practical steps you can take to remedy the situation. If your job is sucking the happiness and life out of you, maybe it’s time for a change. If your relationship with your boyfriend is draining or not helping you become a better person, then it’s a good idea to break up – you don’t need to be a human crutch, especially at your own expense. If you’re habitually negative or pessimistic, try to only “speak the good” and treat others and yourself kinder. If you’re in the process of achieving goals, incorporate small habits in your daily lifestyle to set yourself up for long-term success and contentment. 

4. Keep a Quality Space and Declutter

Norwegians value quality products and space as a part of having a quality life. It’s quality over quantity for them. You don’t have to shop expensive brands to have nice things but limit your buying to what you really need and will use, and resist the urge to automatically grab the cheapest option. You’ll value something more and feel better about owning it when you invest in a good product that will last longer, look better, and make your space look nicer.

Declutter anything that you don’t need or use – getting rid of stuff is one of the best feelings to boost your mood, decrease mental stress, and benefit your mental health. All the yards and houses in Norway look so clean and picturesque because they’re organized and tidy. The barns are painted red, and the houses and cabins are white or red. In Norway, you won’t ever run into a mobile home trailer like in Oklahoma or Arkansas, or a house that looks like a haunted mansion from Nancy Drew or part of a drug cartel spot like inland Miami. Even if there’s a simple shed or barn on a property, it’s painted to look fresh and neat.

Surrounding yourself with a quality environment – not just things but also an organized, clean space – does wonders for your mental focus and personal positivity. This is especially true for those whose focus, motivation, and creativity are affected by their external environment. 

5. Take Care of Your Appearance

Norwegians are, in general, very attractive people. In Norway, you’re surrounded by beautiful, tall, blonde, and blue-eyed individuals hiking, biking, and ski training. While some people are just born objectively attractive, everyone has to power to give themselves a glow-up.

We can naturally enhance our appearance by practicing healthy habits for nutrition and getting plenty of beauty rest, outdoor sunshine, and physical exercise. How you see yourself is a huge factor in self-confidence and personal happiness. Being your healthiest also benefits your work performance, makes you age more gracefully, prevents you from getting sick often, and helps your present or future family life (not to mention your fertility). So, if you feel like you’re not where you want to be, then what can you do to fix that? 

Think of spending effort on your physical and emotional health as personal investments toward a happier life. If you want to improve your physical strength or weight, or if you haven’t been eating a very healthy diet lately, then sit down for a timed 20 minutes and plan healthy meal ideas, make a shopping list, and stick to it. You can also sign up for 28 Wellness to balance your hormonal health, stabilize your weight with healthy nutrition, and boost your confidence and self-esteem. Incorporate one new habit at a time so you don’t burn out. 

And if you feel like you’re in a rut with the same clothes you’ve worn for the last five to seven years (definitely been there), have some fun giving yourself a mini makeover. No need for a lofty budget or a wild shopping spree, simply begin by reassessing your personal style and trying something new that will boost your self-confidence.

Closing Thoughts

No place is perfect, and you don’t have to move to Norway to be happy and healthy (although I hear Washington state is the American Norway as far as the landscape goes). Different things work for different people, but we need to be honest with ourselves about what we need to improve in our lives to truly live to our fullest potential!

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