We all dream of waking up happy and content, right?
The 2025 World Happiness Report once again ranks Finland as the happiest country on Earth – for the eighth year in a row – with Denmark, Iceland and other Nordic nations close behind.
These rankings consider factors like economic stability, health, and social support. But beyond government policies or national wealth, there’s something more personal at play.
What choices are everyday Finns, Danes, and Icelanders making that lead to such high life satisfaction?
In reflecting on these findings, I noticed a pattern: the happiest people tend to live in a way that nurtures their well-being from the inside out.
Below are 8 life choices that set these so-called “happiest people” apart. The beauty is, you don’t have to move to Helsinki or Reykjavik to embrace them. Sometimes, it’s about making small shifts in perspective and priorities.
1. They prioritize social connection
In the world’s happiest places, relationships come first.
It’s common in Denmark to see friends biking to each other’s houses for cozy dinners, or families in Finland heading to lakeside cottages for the weekend to bond.
Strong social ties are a cornerstone of life.
In fact, researchers note that social support – having friends or family to count on – is one of the key reasons Nordic countries top the happiness charts.
I remember feeling this vividly during a visit to a Danish café: strangers chatted warmly across tables, and that sense of community felt almost tangible.
The data backs up these warm observations.
Gallup’s Ilana Ron Levey explains that Finland’s high happiness is due in part to “support from friends and family”.
The World Happiness Report even found that sharing meals with others is strongly linked to well-being across all regions.
In other words, happiness flourishes when we invest time in our relationships.
One expert put it simply: “Happiness is so much more about trust, social connections, relationships… and not just GDP or higher salaries.”
2. They practice kindness and generosity
I remember hearing about a bus driver in Iceland who, during severe weather, offered free rides to stranded passengers.
Acts of kindness like that aren’t rare in the happiest countries; they’re part of daily life.
According to the Report, benevolent gestures — volunteering, helping a neighbor, or even small courtesies — boost one’s own mood and the community’s.
It’s backed by research in positive psychology: the “helper’s high” is real.
Kindness isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s what keeps societal bonds strong.
Nordic people often perform kind gestures almost instinctively.
Think of how Icelanders leave baked goods on a neighbor’s doorstep just because, or how Norwegians happily volunteer during community events.
John F. Helliwell, a leading happiness researcher, observed that “people are much happier living where they think people care about each other.”
When kindness is the norm, it creates a feedback loop of goodwill and trust that boosts everyone’s well-being. The happiest societies show that choosing generosity – even in simple ways – makes life richer for all involved
3. They trust one another
Trust is a big factor, too.
In Finland, it’s common to leave baby strollers (with napping babies!) outside cafés — because parents trust that nobody will harm them.
That level of trust, both in neighbors and institutions, helps reduce stress and anxiety.
In these high-trust societies, people feel safer and more willing to cooperate. When you believe most folks around you are honest, daily interactions become less fraught and more optimistic.
Simply put, when people trust each other, society functions better and individuals feel safer.
The 2025 report highlights that Nordic countries score exceptionally high in trust – not only in institutions but in “fellow citizens” as well.
This trust shows up in everyday acts of honesty and helpfulness, which “strengthens community bonds and enhances overall well-being”.
4. They maintain a healthy work-life balance
“Work hard, play hard” might be a common saying, but in the happiest countries, people live by a slightly different motto: work reasonably, and make plenty of time for life.
They choose balance over burnout.
It’s normal in Denmark or Sweden to leave work at a sensible hour and completely switch off in the evenings. In Finland, employers and colleagues alike respect that family time or personal time is sacred.
This isn’t just a luxury of the culture – it’s an intentional choice many individuals make, valuing life outside of work as much as their careers.
Why does this matter for happiness?
Chronic overwork can wreak havoc on mental health.
In the happiest nations, employees typically have shorter workweeks, enough paid leave, and a culture that respects personal time.
These countries prove that productivity doesn’t have to come at the expense of well-being. By valuing rest, they encourage better focus, creativity, and overall life satisfaction.
5. They embrace nature and outdoor living
I’ll never forget a chilly Finnish afternoon when I saw families gathered at a lakeside park, grilling sausages despite the wind and cold.
For them, connecting with nature isn’t a fair-weather hobby—it’s a cornerstone of daily life.
Spending time outdoors lowers stress and boosts mood.
The 2025 Report shows that citizens in these nations frequently head to forests, lakes, or parks, even if it’s snowing. They don’t wait for perfect conditions to enjoy nature’s benefits.
I’ve learned to do something similar in London, even if it’s just a short walk in a nearby park. Fresh air and greenery can anchor you, no matter how hectic life gets.
If you’re not near a grand forest, a simple patch of grass or a weekend hike can still do wonders.
6. They keep an optimistic, future-focused mindset
It’s striking how people in the happiest nations carry themselves with quiet optimism.
This doesn’t mean they’re gleefully upbeat 24/7 – Finns, for example, are known for their modest, reserved demeanor. But underneath that is a steady optimism for the future and an appreciation for the present.
The Gallup data behind the happiness rankings found that an “optimism for the future” is one trait that distinguishes these countries.
In practice, many people in places like Iceland or Sweden focus on what’s going right in their lives, rather than obsessing over what’s going wrong.
They celebrate small joys – a sunny day, a good cup of coffee with a friend, a project completed at work – and tend not to dwell long on daily setbacks.
One habit that contributes to this positive outlook is gratitude.
As Sheryl Sandberg wisely noted, “Finding gratitude and appreciation is key to resilience. People who take the time to list things they are grateful for are happier and healthier.”
Whether consciously or culturally, folks in happy countries often practice this.
For instance, I learned from a Finnish colleague about keeping a “joy journal” – jotting down one nice thing each day. It’s a simple practice of looking for the good.
7. They value purpose over materialism
I once spoke to a Swedish entrepreneur who turned down a high-paying corporate gig to start a small organic farm. She told me she’d rather align her livelihood with her values than chase a bigger paycheck.
That ethos is widespread in happier nations:
Success is about living with meaning and authenticity, not just climbing a status ladder.
The Report highlights that while wealth does matter up to a point (alleviating stress from basic needs), beyond that, it’s how you use your resources that makes the difference.
People in these countries focus on purposeful work, family, and hobbies, rather than just bigger homes or cars.
This approach fosters balance and contentment.
You’ll find artists, nurses, and engineers equally proud of their contributions, because they measure success in fulfillment, not superficial prestige.
8. They live authentically
Last but definitely not least, there’s a cultural acceptance of being true to yourself.
In Norway, “janteloven” historically referred to a humble approach to life, but it has evolved to also respect individuality. In Iceland, creativity flourishes because people feel free to express themselves, from writing to music to quirky festivals.
Authenticity means feeling safe to pursue your interests and letting others do the same.
People in these societies don’t push a single formula for happiness; they embrace a range of lifestyles and identities.
John C. Maxwell summed it up nicely: “People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”
When authenticity is valued, you sense that supportive vibe all around.
This freedom to be oneself is also reflected in the sense that everyday decisions. like career changes or taking sabbaticals, aren’t judged harshly.
That acceptance can relieve a lot of social pressure, enabling folks to tailor their lives in ways that truly make them happy.
Wrapping up
Happiness, as the World Happiness Report reminds us, is driven by how we live and connect with others.
The people in Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and other happy countries aren’t living in a fairy tale – they experience stress and challenges like anyone.
But through these personal life choices, they’ve built lives rich with meaning and joy.
The wonderful thing is, we don’t need to move to Helsinki or Reykjavik to benefit from this wisdom. We can reflect on our own daily habits and mindset.
Maybe we can reach out to friends more often, step outside for a walk, or set gentler expectations for ourselves.
The happiest countries show that a happier life is really a sum of our choices. Bit by bit, day by day.
What choices will you make today?
By embracing even a few of these life-enhancing habits, we just might find our own lives becoming a little brighter – and our communities a bit happier – no matter where in the world we are.
