Finnish way for free time – harmony with nature and simple pleasures

Finland, a land of a thousand lakes, infinite forests and aurorae… It is a place where spending free time is a must have. Considered one of the happiest nations in the world, the Finns have their own philosophy of leisure, which combines simplicity, contact with nature and the most important silence.…

Summer escapes to mökkis

The heart of Finnish leisure is the traditional summer cottages, called “mökki”. More than 500,000 such wooden huts, located mainly on the shores of lakes and in the forests, can be found throughout the country. For the average Finn, a weekend or holiday trip to Mökki is almost a ritual – an opportunity to escape the urban noise and relax among nature.

Staying in a summer cottage usually involves a return to a simple lifestyle. Many mökkis do not have access to running water or electricity. But the Finns see it not as an inconvenience, but as a return to the roots. Typical activities include fishing, picking berries and mushrooms in the surrounding forests, swimming in the lake, and in the evening – a mandatory sauna and barbecue.

Sauna – more than relaxation

It’s hard to talk about Finnish leisure time without a sauna 🙂 This is one of the traditions in Finnish culture. In a country with 5,5 million inhabitants, there are over 3 million saunas. For Finns, the sauna is not only a place to relax, but also a space to purify the body and mind.

The use of the sauna is often associated with bathing in the lake or, in winter, with aging in the snow. This temperature difference, although for many foreigners it is unrealistic, for Finns it is a source of pleasure and vitality. Many Finns use the sauna even several times a week, treating it as a natural way to cope with stress.

Winter activities

Despite long, dark winters, Finns do not lock themselves in their homes. On the contrary, it is winter that is the right time for numerous outdoor activities. Cross-country skiing is a national sport and numerous illuminated trails can be found even in city centers. Ice skating is also popular – both on artificial ice rinks and on frozen lakes.

Many Finns also prefer snowmobiling, ice fishing or winter kayaking. Winter swimming in frozen waters, which is not only to harden the body, but also to improve immunity and well-being, is also becoming increasingly popular.

For many Finns, winter is also a great time to visit Lapland – the northern part of the country, where you can admire the aurora borealis, participate in a dog sled safari or visit the village of Santa Claus in Rovaniemi.

Coffee and meeting culture

Finland is the world leader in terms of coffee consumption. “Kahvi” is not only coffee but also an opportunity to meet and talk.

Meetings over coffee are often held in homes where homemade pastries are served, especially cinnamon ‘korvapuusti’ buns. In the cities, you will find many cafes, which are a place to meet, read or work.

Love for books and music

It will certainly surprise many of you, but the Finns are among those who read the most books in the world. Reading is a popular form of spending free time, especially on long winter evenings.

Music is as important as reading books, with heavy metal at the forefront. Finland boasts the largest number of metal bands per capita. Summer music festivals attract thousands of participants, and traditional folk dance “humppa” continues to be popular, especially among the older generation.

Physical activity and sport

The Finns attach great importance to physical activity. Nordic walking, running and cycling are popular. A specific Finnish sport is “pesäpallo” – a variety of baseball, which is played mainly in the summer.

What is so special about Finns is that physical activity is a natural part of their day, not something special. Many residents commute to work by bicycle even in winter, and regular walks in the forest are treated as an element of taking care of mental and physical health.

As can be seen from the above, the Finnish way of spending free time shows us that happiness often hides in simple, small things, such as a walk in the forest, a warm sauna or a cup of coffee in good company. That’s why you might want to put your iphone aside and take a long walk to the forest….