Interesting how this story focuses on personal choice and not social structure. A strong safety-net, economic equity, real democracy, and a caring culture makes Finland a lot happier than the US. Hiking, yoga and self-inquiry aren't gonna create happiness at scale without real equity and a high standard of living.

As a Finn I can say it's not only a Finnish skill. In Europe we understand how to enjoy life instead of always striving for things. Things will never follow one to the afterlife, but a life well-lived is a life worth living.

As a Finn, I'm happiest when I'm at a cottage. Whether it was summer or winter, the sauna and the lake bring me peace and joy.

The biggest reason why Finland is the happiest country in the world is there are way fewer reasons to be unhappy than many other countries in the world. Hugging trees and other wellness bull...it won't make anybody happy if you are afraid of e.g. losing your job, losing your home, not getting paid enough, under constant fear of violence etc.

Happiness comes in small doses. a mug of coffee in the morning.. brisk winter air while getting the mail.. dry firewood ready for the evening.. greeting your neighbor.. noticing how days are getting longer.. planning something fun for the near future, saying something nice to your troubled coworker.. knowing how much you've already achieved,.. loved and being loved.. how amazing your children grew up to be.. and knowing you'll be alright

Happiness is just about slowing down and being in the present moment. You don't have to go to Finland to find it, you can do it in a quiet place close to nature.

Less work, free Healthcare, affordable living. It's easy, I don't know why folks keep acting like these aren't the things we need in America. Also I'm not plus sized but I love Ana's page its good for others to have representation, she definitely deserves this trip. The sun, nature, it's needed for us to be happy

A Finn here. The happiness index is actually an index for being content. It just doesn't have a clickable ring to it. I also struggle in balancing between the wishes to achieve more continuously and with being content with all the good things I have now. And sometimes feeling inadequate for not pushing more in work life or sports. But I'm trying to be kind and thankful and do meaningful things for me. As many have pointed out, many things on that index are more structural, like amount of corruption, trust in officials, social safety nets for kids, parents, the sick and unemployed and the disabled. And those systems aren't perfect here either. And we trust strangers as well. I don't know how you can export those as an individual.

I can’t believe we are having this conversation yet again… it’s pretty obvious, shareholder’s happiness in the United States is far more important than the happiness of its mere peasants. Perhaps we either change or maybe just shelve this conversation.

Sauna is also a place that nobody is above other. There might be 5 people in the sauna, all nude. A priest, police officer, the president, a student and a plumber. There are no titles in the sauna.

Thanks to the three Americans who were courageous enough to discuss their struggles on a national/international stage. For me, the takeaway of the story is to be mindful of the importance of relationships, nature and healthy eating. But turning these concepts into a daily practice is the hard part for many of us. It seems the Finnish (for many reasons- great safety net most of all) are just better at it than most other countries.

Happiness, pure happiness was being with my husband where ever we were. It was 25 years on 12/21 since his passing from cancer at 43 yrs young when our son was 4 yrs old. Life changed forever. We always celebrated Jesus is the Reason for the Season anyhow.....that meant more after he went to heaven and is with Jesus. Happiness did not leave my son and myself, because we carry our love for his Dad in our hearts and feel his love for us in our hearts as well. So blessed!

I love global vacation countries like Finland, Italy, Portugal, and others However, I have to find happiness in the place where I am in right now. Happiness, peace and love it’s where you make it and not a destination.

If you're always aiming for something bigger, you'll never be able to enjoy what you've already got. Happiness is the ability to enjoy the moment.

I so needed to see this right now. Happy New Year!

The US doesn't support people in having happiness. The whole system is so backwards, not just in the US but in many countries in the world. Being happy in Finland is easier just because of the support systems we have. That results to low crime rates, feeling safe. Free health care & education help tons. Support for mothers and families, no need to worry about their raising & school expenses etc. Contentment comes from being able to focus on the things you like in life, instead of fighting for survival or always striving for more. It's a lot easier to make a decent living here too than in many countries. Closeness of nature is very important too, spending time there.

As a Finn I feel a bit cringy about all this happiness PR.

You can find happiness in the little things every day. Roof over your head, food on your plate. All dear ones healthy and home. No need look further. As a finn I am at my most happiest after an outing, on my couch with a good book and coffee. ❤

Want happiness? Don’t drink alcohol, smoke or do drugs. Eat healthy and a lot, love animals, travel and make your bed! A clean and organized home, is a clean and organized mind. Take baths. Be present. Get off of social media (is KZfaq social media? 😂) BE YOURSELF and laugh. Listen to music that brings you happiness. It works for me and I feel truly happy in my life. I also have a wonderful husband, but he is not responsible for my happiness, but does contribute to it 😊

Love this!!

Read the report, the Happiness Index measures how content citizens are living in their country.

Thanks for highlighting these actors!!

One of the biggest reason happiness can manifest in people here, in my opinion, is rent control. You cant just charge whatever you want to, the rent prices are actually controlled by laws. In the last 3 years my rent has only gone up like 40 euros and i live in the most moved to county in the country. I am very satisfied knowing i will get by in life with no problem.

My Finnish basic rule for happiness is a solid self esteem and that can be reached when you stop dreaming, envying and pursuing after things you don't have or can't achieve and enjoy gratefully of all the things that you do have. Keep your dreams realistic and don't try to pose something that you are not.

Happiness is not a destination ❤

A happiness comes from the appreciation of what you have and what can you make of it. Keep it simple.

We are so happy, because our neighbour is Russia - and things are truly bad there for average citizens. So being independent and not part of despotic Russia is best gift of all.

except no one wears swimwear in the sauna. 😂

Hapiness is about well being in society and taking care od fellow countryman not any single thing.

The U.S. is 23 and dropping. I moved to España and happier than ever.

❤

everyone is grinding in north america. hoping to explore more of the world if you wanna help support with a like, follow...

We Finns are very stoic yet happiest 🤔 obviously it's a balance of social structure and stability and decision to BE happy 😊😂

Well, I am Finn. Sorry to tell, but no one is going to have yoga in forest. And well, you have video from Summer time, which is lovely, try to go there at February. It is different. Anyway, sauna is really place to be....every day and every home.

Suomi mainittu!!!❤❤🇫🇮🇫🇮

Free healthcare, education, no war for profit and we don’t fund genocide by giving money. We use our tax for wellbeing of our people

Welcome to Finland 🇫🇮❄️

My home is on the island in the first clip

Many Finns often wonder or laugh when it's on the news that we are ranking on the top of happiness rankings. What they fail to understand is that you can't measure subjective happiness. Instead they have measured how long people live, what are the safety nets, are there opportunities etc. We have free healthcare, free education, affordable living (unless you want to live in Helsinki 😄), low crime rates and so on. No matter where you come from or how poor your family is, you can get a degree and change your life for the better. Many Finns take that for granted and are still not happy with their lives, hence their reactions to these rankings.

MMMM happiest country. Even Finns question how can Finland be rated the Happiest Country. Finland is a great place to live but Happiness. I doubt it. Finns are content with NATURE, SOCIAL SYSTEM THAT WORKS, and SAFETY. During the winter the sunrise is at 930 and sunset 330pm. Mentally you have to be ready. 90% of the time you might not see your neighbor for 6 months to a year. Highly possibility of not talking to them. Finland is an individualistic society. You will never break into the groups they have developed since childhood or high school and college. Making friends will take you 5 yrs or never. ON THIS SHORT DOCUMENTARY it was shot during the summer which is the best time to be in Finland. Finns are more outspoken and the sun enlight them during the summer. on the other hand Finland is ranked high with suicide and domestic violence. NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT. So the shot documentary doesn't talk about this serious issues which are mental issues. Happiness is being content with yourself. You can have all the materialistic things or have everything working like in Finland and still you can be unhappy. WE NEED A VIDEO OF THE ACTORS VISITING FINLAND FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS and EXPERIENCING THE DARKNESS.

welcome to the Finland...nananaanana....

Okay, but can I please see more of the beautiful shirtless man? That would make ME very happy.

To be happy is understanding. I am enough. My work means something for me or the customer and people around me accept us as group members. If you fail someone helps you. Always. And then you help him/her. Always. Be nice to everyone. Always. The echo of your words fly back towards you. The happiness happens Today but do not be afraid of the future.

What makes me happy is watching foreigners trying to become happy.

I know that in some countries, the society pushes you to aim for the stars. To be a millionaire or an important person. I am not saying you shouldnt, but for me it would not work. I would be stressed all the time to have an constant feeling that this is not enough. It works for me that i appreciate the things i already have. For example i make 4000€ per month. My wife makes 3000€ per month. That is more than enough to own your own house here in southern Finland. Have 2 new cars. A summer cottage and we like to travel alot to countries like Spain, Florida, Australia, Thailand. I really really appreciate the fact that we can do all these things and i just cannot think that i should have more. What could i possibly need more? This might seem like an over kill for some of you but basically this is what typical middle class Finnish family gets with its money.

Americans are screwed.

The US is 15th??? We’re actually higher on the list than I thought.

Om living in finland 6 years ago ....I can say that people who don't takes under clothes on know nothing about the sauna ....and in finland you must respect the rules .....not even towel inside ....this is to keep the natural fresh air inside the sauna instead of getting people sick with bacteria......and towels and shorts smell real bad inside........sauna is finish and non elsewhere .

I mean who isn’t happy on an all expenses paid vacation?

Israel at number 4? You’ve got to be joking.

We're not hsopy we're content

No I finally understand what is the secret of Finnish happiness. It's the sauna. I get distressed if I don't get in sauna at least twice a week.

It's not that social security, infrastructure are amazing here in Finland, those areas are okay, but far from perfect, nor reason why Finns are happy. People and weather are no reasons either to explain Finns happiness. But when Finns in general are watching these channels where other people from other countries are trying their darnest to seek for happiness by doing all different kind of physical activities like skiing, hiking, camping, sailing etc. or mental activities like mindful thinking, yoga, live in the present, meditation etc. or be part of some kind of social group by listening their amazing leaders who tells them (with price tag) how to be happy - Finns just watch these video clips and say... naa, I'm good, and take a nap.. and stay happy.

I think it should have been mentioned that real Finns do not use towels or swimwear in sauna because it will be too hot to use any clothing. The tourist version means not heating the sauna to typical temperature and then you can use towel or swimwear.

Katsotaan tilanne Puuha Petterin ja Purran jälkeen uudestaan. Voi olla Somaliakin onnellisempi maa..

Happiness comes through stoicism. Chasing a feeling never works.

Yeah, that was before we got the most right wing government in the history of the country. I'd be surprised if Finland is in the top 100 in a few years!

The finnish people are often melancolic , the reason they are happy is that the nation are built for the people more than most other countries. I am swedish and my country are more built for the elit than finland are so sweden are less happy.

I've lived in Finland for almost a year and I can tell you from experience that there is no free healthcare in Finland, and if you're an immigrant and you can't be granted social security you still have to pay for hospital visits. It's also cold and dark for most of the year. It's very hard to make new friends (even for Finnish people) The language is extremely difficult to learn for a Germanic speaker. Depression is a big problem, especially in the winter. There's a big alcohol culture (which can be problematic for some) But it's also a beautiful country, nature here is amazing, Finnish, while hard to learn, is a really cool language, and while Finns may prefer to keep to themselves and not engage in small-talk, they are never rude just to be rude. Finland has the BEST chocolate in the world, not second best, not honourary mention good, but the ABSOLUTE BEST (Karl Fazer 😙) they also have salmiakki (which is an aquired taste, yes but it's also amazing) My absolute favourite person in the whole existence (my husband) is Finnish, and Finland is my home now and till the day I die

Pursuit of happiness is NOT part of US culture. Getting rich is.

I was happy in the 90's early 2000's after 2014 tjings Really started to change by 2016 The Monster arrived in Washimgton and its been a horrible and ugly all over America!

False picture! We do NOT use towels in saunas.

That title is going to be history at least for 4 years from now because our new goverment is going to destroy it 😢 nice too see people enjoying my home town Savonlinna 😊 🙏

Finland is the "happiest country" in the world only because all the unhappy people off themselves. Sounds like dark humor, but this country is unbelievably lenient and supportive to people who are willing to do the 9 to 5 grind. The go-getters of the world. Have three kids, get a nice home (preferably with huge mortgate), a car and a dog and the world is your oyster. You get all the benefits and support not only monetarily, but from the people around you as well. Get a PhD in Finland and they'll literally send you around the world on university dime. People, who for one reason or another, (sickness, addiction, depression or unwillingness to conform to "how a person should be") fail to jump through the hoops of society or end up falling through the cracks of the social system are very often left completely alone and ostracized. Mix that with the fact, that 7-9 months of the year it's cold, wet, snowy and dark... Recipe for a fast downward spiral right there.

Happiest...😂 gimme a break.

@8:53 did the big girl just say "I'm making turdlets" ?????????????

No way we are 15 we more like 33

As a Finn I find this clip strange, I thing you have a wrong point to find happiness! Althoug we might be the happies country in some kind of studies, but I do not believe you can measure happines, real happiness in any way! Happiness comes from inside, and maybe we have better surroundings to get it? One thing might be just low population, only 5.8 million in quite big country and at least some of us do not live in cities!

Man, that would be exhausting... So much noise in that group, just shup up and be. Like that mediation session against a tree... no.. that is not how forest works. You need to walk around, in silence and look for berries, mushrooms... That is when the forest helps you the most. It is not the trees, it is the forest itself that is important.

People in Finland are not happy, they are satisfied. This whole "happiness"thing is very misleading. There are surveys, people answer that they are satisfied with this and that and that ranks the country as "happy". Finland should be called the most "satisfied" country in the world.

The sad people end up killing themselves.

Happiness is all about trust. The fact that most Americans dont even trust the government, is a recipe for disaster. There are good reasons for not trusting the American government tho. In truth, America isnt democratic enough. Most people in congress are career politicians. In Finland so often we have literal nobodies climbing the political ladder, logic is a big factor in politics here. Sure no country is perfect Finland included, but i think Finland truly is as good as it gets in todays world.

Happiness has absolutely nothing to do with external circumstances whatsoever. True Happiness is peace of mind, regardless of what seems to be going on around you. If we keep trying to make things perfect externally, then no one will ever be truly happy, because it’s always dependent upon the external, which people can’t control.

Just move to Scandinavia, bro.

Finland is happy because our health and well-being is being looked after by the government and cities through taxes, which promotes equality. Even if you lose your job you won't become homeless. Even if you get into an accident or get sick you will be treated without going into debt. Have a bad flu? Take some paid leave. Too bad a lot of Americans seem to think that this is "communism", when in reality it's just like having one insurance company that doesn't try to make profit but rather actually tries to ensure everyone's well being.

The happiness index just tells an average. It means we have less people on the streets. So when these well-dressed rich americans are asking "why are finns happiest", we're not. We're not happier than you. We just don't have thousands of homeless drug addicts in our streets who'll answer the questionnaire saying they don't have the basic life necessities or security

Finland is so fckning expensive country. Taxes are so high and prices of products and services. It's stupid to advertise welfare society when it costs so fcking much.

Yes, paying 35% tax of my income makes me really happy in this country :)

its not free healthcare are free education or housing. The people in finland believe in community. we are all in this together mentally. not rughed individualism

Let's check again in couple of years and see how the country is doing. Yes, the nature is gorgeous, but Finland hasn't been a bird's nest for a few decades, thinking otherwise is just oblivious and living in an illusion.

Finland is too exagerated like a inflating baloon. You won't be too happy if you love to talk with people, you won't find that in Finland too much and you will be lonely.

Lmfao of course the United States isn’t .. regardless of any political stance it’s hard to get by in most states living alone and affording even just mediocre happiness. I pray things get better. Will things actually get better financially? If you think so tell me why , please.

If you can’t find gratitude with what you have now, you will never find happiness

Yeah but come to Finland between November-February and spend three months here :D Still so happy? :D

Finland is a socialists democracy. Not a capitalist hell whole

Life is about suffering, struggling, and pain,, life is not about happiness. You were born in this world alone, and you die in this world alone...

It’s not FREE healthcare or FREE anything…their TAXES pay to take care of everything and everyone. I’m not here to debate anyone’s political stance on that but for one to say, as the narrator does, that they have free healthcare, etc… is misleading and disingenuous. That being said, I love my Finnish heritage and a nice, hot sauna!

Happiness Is Temporary

Americans cannot go hiking to nature in USA? Do they have to go to Finnland to carry out this activity?

But.... But.... what about 'evil so-shul-izum' and stuff? Think about it, if you were going to cheat off someone in a school test wouldnt you look at the smart kids answers? There is a whole lotta 'smarter' countries that we could learn a thing or two from.

Torille!

Its funny when they try to describe happiness they film lakes, sauna, scenery, and that has very little to do with happiness 😂

Being fat is painful.

Bullshit

What is this woke drama all about? I have lost my fate in humanity to look this bs for all channels nowadays. This was not about happiness but enforcing woke sht. Shame on you!

Finland does not have free health care. Subsidized, yes. Free? No

Oh, please! Give me a barf bag!!🤢🤮😂

These countries are ranked high about happiness because they don’t talk about their problems. It’s not accurate at all. Americans think these countries are way better, but it’s so expensive to live in. The tax is insane.

no sins by nato to finland no natobordellos to europe🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴[(9)] fishing'snetsmarks to salmon'srelativesfish,/🏳🏳🏳🏳🏳🏳🏳🏳🏳[(9)]nervoussystemcontrol=peace, as russia

The happiness of Finland is just a myth 👎Sweden and Norway+Denmark is equally as happy as Finland 🤨