Embrace Nordic Lifestyle: Simple Habits for Balanced Living
Rooted in nature and grounded in simplicity, the Nordic lifestyle offers a way to balance and well-being. In this post, I’ll guide you through key Nordic concepts like hygge, lagom, and the lesser-known sisu—timeless ways of living that foster inner peace, a sense of belonging, and harmony in today’s fast-paced world. Nordic living is within your reach.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a product or a service and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can read my full disclaimer.
Life in Scandinavia and the Nordic Countries
We are talking about the Nordic lifestyle concepts, but they are quite similar to the Scandinavian lifestyle concepts. The difference between Scandinavian Countries and the Nordic Countries is well, geographically, Scandinavia consists of the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. When we count Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands in, we have the Nordic countries.
The following Nordic living concepts are the perfect way to support your Natural living journey. And because reading is such a hygge thing to do in nature or at a cozy home, I have also added some links to books to read about each concept to dive deeper into the Nordic Lifestyle.
Fika – Swedish coffee break with cake and friends
One of my favourite Nordic lifestyle concepts is Swedish fika, which means an enjoyable moment or a break in a day with a cup of coffee, cake, and friends. So fika is so much more than a coffee break, as it is often translated. It is definitely always with a friend or someone you enjoy spending time with. And for sure, fika includes a cake or a pastry. Most commonly, as in Finland too, it would be a tasty cinnamon bun.
How to bring cozy fika moments into your everyday life
- Take an intentional break during the day to savor coffee or tea if you prefer.
- Be mindful and choose a pastry you love, and enjoy it without guilty feelings ( I would highly suggest Finnish cinnamon rolls (photo above!), almond cake with raspberry jam, or any of the Scandinavian buns !).
- Call a friend you enjoy spending some quality time with for a cup of coffee.
| READ THIS: The Little Book of Fika: The Uplifting Daily Ritual of the Swedish Coffee Break by Lynda Balslev (2018).
Lagom – Swedish philosophy for moderation
Not too much, not too little, just the right amount. That’s all that lagom is about. Everything in moderation. We Nordics consider work as a part of the day, not the main thing. Our current president in Finland, Alexander Stubb, is known for his 8+8+8 principle of dividing 8-hour time blocks for work, sleep, and free time to balance his life accordingly.
It is common in the Nordics to keep work separate from home life, and disturbing someone outside worktime is considered rude or at least inconsiderate. Lagom is the heart, not just moderation, but also intentional decisions in life to create balance: eating healthy, handling emotions calmly.
Create balance and calm with lagom habits
- Be mindful of how you spend your time each day. Use my homemaking schedule to create structure and build supportive habits and routines.
- Prioritize your well-being during off-hours and make sure to get enough restful sleep.
- Avoid overconsumption by choosing to buy only what is purposeful and valuable.
- Support a healthy work-life balance by valuing your time. Work efficiently during work hours, and finish at the scheduled time. Say yes to gatherings and parties thoughtfully.
- Protect your free time by avoiding work-related messages—others will learn to respect your boundaries.
| READ THIS: Read Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Linnea Dunne to learn more about balancing life mentally, physically, and economically, the Swedish way.
Short on time?
Pin it for later!
Friluftsliv – Norwegian love for the healing nature
Nature and the natural world are an important part of life in Nordic Countries, and cities are built to have parks and even forests close to people who live there. Friluftsliv means open-air living in Norwegian.
In the Nordic region, there is this saying: « There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing“. Which basically means that there are no excuses to go out at any time of the year. Nordics escape to their summer cottages starting around Midsummer to be even closer to nature whenever they can. Additionally, the practice of foraging for mushrooms and berries becomes quite popular during the autumn season. We Nordics use nature as a way to recharge and create inner peace, and the deep respect for nature is high here.
Bring Nature Closer: easy ways to practice friluftsliv
- Use your feet or a bike instead of a car to get some fresh air when commuting.
- Stay at least once a year a night outside, camping, or sleeping in a tent
- Start foraging, for example, nettle pancakes are a simple and delicious way to start.
- Do short weekend hikes in nature nearby.
| RELATED: Art of seasonal living
Hygge – Danish Coziness
Coziness. Savouring the moment. Pleasure in everyday things. Hygge is so much more than there are words to describe it. Meik Wiking, the writer of Little Book of Hygge, described how one amazing moment of hygge would be at a cottage, with soft candles lit, with a cozy atmosphere. A cherry on top would be if it were raining, too. You see what I’m aiming for? Nordic spaces are designed with functionality and for calmness with soft, indirect light. Nordic design is quite minimalist and clutter-free and uses mainly natural materials such as wood and iron, which go perfectly with a natural lifestyle.
Simple hygge ideas for everyday comfort
- Light candles or make your own beeswax candles from scratch.
- Think about the rooms at home with their purpose and decorate accordingly.
- Make your living space clutter-free and calm to make it easier to relax
| READ THIS: Wrap yourself in the comforting world of hygge with Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living a beautifully written book by Meik Wiking (2017), the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute.
Sisu – Finnish courage and determination
Just like hygge, sisu is one of those deeply Nordic ideas that can’t be summed up in a single word. At its root, sisu comes from the Finnish word for “gut,” and it speaks to an inner strength—a kind of quiet determination, resilience, or grit. It’s what carries you through when things feel impossible, a steady force that helps you face challenges head-on.
Sisu researcher (yes, sisu is that important!), Emilia Lahti, described it beautifully in her TEDx talk as “a reserve of power enabling extraordinary action to overcome challenging situations.” A powerful example of this spirit was during the Winter War, when tiny Finland stood up to the vast Soviet Union. Even The New York Times took note, publishing an article in 1940 titled: “Sisu is the word that describes Finland.”
How to grow your inner strength with sisu
- Find things that matter to you and make goals based on those.
- Rehearse determination and perseverance by pushing your comfort zone further, little by little.
- Weigh your values in life and lock in your mind things that are non-negotiable for you.
| READ THIS: Gentle Power: A Revolution in How We Think, Lead and Succeed Using the Finnish Art of Sisu by Emilia Elisabeth Lahti, the Finnish Sisu Researcher (2023)
Lykke – Nordic happiness
Though lykke, happiness, is a Danish word, all the Nordic countries are ranking extremely well in the World Happiness Report: Nordic countries are the happiest countries in the whole world! And happily, Finland is the happiest country in the world now eight years in a row (2018-2025). But what makes Nordics so happy? People tend to call Nordics quite cold and distant people. Happy is not the first word that you normally hear describing the Scandinavian descendants of Vikings and other Nordics.
Let me decode the Nordic happiness for you. It’s not about chasing huge dreams or constant excitement—it’s about feeling grounded. In the Nordics, happiness often comes from being close to nature and having a strong sense of autonomy—the feeling that you’re in charge of your own life. Simple life is a happy life.
Strong social support systems play a big role, too. Even if you don’t have a family network, systems are in place to help. In Finland, for instance, parents get generous paid parental leave, and it can be shared between both mother and father, offering flexibility and support for family life during those early months.
At its heart, Nordic happiness is rooted in simplicity. A slower, more intentional way of living that makes space for contentment.
How to invite Nordic lykke into your daily routine
- Try to focus your energy on what you can change, and let go of what you can’t—like the weather.
- Spend time with people who uplift and energize you.
- Watch the interview: How to be happy with Mieik Wiking
- Make time for small daily joys—whether it’s a walk in nature, a warm drink, or a quiet moment alone. Happiness in the Nordic sense often lives in the little things.
| READ THIS: The Little Book of Lykke: The Danish Search for the World’s Happiest People, written by Meik Wiking (2017)
Dugnadsånd – Nordic community spirit
Community spirit is a beautiful part of the Nordic lifestyle, deeply rooted in history. The Danish call it dugnadsånd, in Norway it’s known as samfundsind, and in Finland, talkoohenki. Though the words differ, the meaning is shared: working together for the common good.
This spirit of cooperation dates back to the days of small village life, where neighbors helped each other build homes, fences, and barns—expecting nothing in return. That same Nordic community mindset lives on today. In many housing communities, it’s still common to gather in spring and autumn to clean the shared yards together. It’s a form of modern-day voluntary work, rooted in connection and care.
And true to Nordic tradition, once the work is done, there’s always something warm to eat—and often a sauna waiting, ready for everyone to chill and enjoy a well-earned moment of togetherness.
Bring Nordic Community Spirit to your Neighbourhood
- Organize a simple neighborhood clean-up or seasonal yard day with snacks and time to connect afterward.
- Offer your help to someone in your community without expecting anything in return.
- Start a small project that brings people together, like a shared garden, book exchange, or community meal.
| READ MORE: Could the Nordic term dugnadsånd be the key to a better life? This happiness expert thinks so
Short on time?
Pin it for later!
From Inspiration to Action: Start Living Nordic
The Nordic lifestyle is more than cozy moments and scenic landscapes—it’s a grounded way of living that values simplicity, balance, and a deep connection to nature and others. Whether you’re lighting a candle for hygge, taking a mindful coffee break with fika, or spending time outdoors embracing friluftsliv, these timeless habits can gently shift your everyday life toward more presence and peace.
If you’re drawn to this way of living, you might also enjoy my post on 12 Steps to a Natural Lifestyle—a simple guide to help you weave nature, intention, and well-being into your daily rhythm.
