A Journey to Happiness: Communing with Nature in Finland
The ferry ride from the bustling heart of Helsinki to the tranquil island of Pihlajasaari spans a mere 10 minutes, whisking visitors away to a serene playground of sun-kissed beaches, winding trails, and rocky shores perfect for basking in the sun. However, my purpose for this excursion was decidedly different: I was on a mission to converse with a tree.
This unconventional endeavor was inspired by Finnish biologist Adela Pajunen, who advocates for the therapeutic benefits of expressing one’s thoughts and worries to the natural world. According to her, many Finns find solace in sharing their concerns with trees or even singing to birds.
Upon arriving on the island, I wandered along a gravel path, searching for the ideal tree to confide in. After dismissing several tall pines, my eyes landed on a modest black alder. Clambering onto a nearby rock, I began to pour out my heart to the tree. I spoke candidly about a romantic entanglement that had recently left me in turmoil; my partner had just revealed he wasn’t ready for a committed relationship. Still, I shared my flickering hope that things might eventually take a turn for the better, as we had been maintaining contact through voice messages. In response, the alder’s leaves rustled gently, a sign that I interpreted as empathy.
I had traveled to Finland with a greater objective in mind: to see if I could capture some of the happiness that the Finns seem to embody and bring it back with me to America. Finland has consistently topped the World Happiness Report for the last eight years, a distinction largely credited to its robust Nordic welfare state, a deep-seated trust in government, and policies that prioritize free education and universal healthcare. In stark contrast, living in the United States—ranked No. 24 on the happiness index—often feels like a blueprint for discontent.
Yet, the Finnish approach to happiness extends beyond these structural advantages. The connection to nature plays a pivotal role, with an impressive 74 percent of the country blanketed in forests. Moreover, daily sauna visits are woven into the fabric of Finnish life, with three million saunas catering to a population of just 5.5 million.
Finland’s tourism agency, Visit Finland, capitalizes on the country’s happiness ranking to attract travelers. This strategy appears to be effective, as tourism is projected to rebound to nearly five million visitors in 2024, a significant increase from roughly two million in 2022. Last June, the agency hosted its second “Find Your Inner Finn” master class, where winners from a social media contest received complimentary trips to Helsinki. They had the opportunity to learn from five local experts, dubbed “happiness hackers,” including Ms. Pajunen herself and D.J. Orkidea, a prominent figure in Nordic electronic music.
I did not participate in the contest, but the concept resonated with me. Like many Americans, I have grappled with feelings of unhappiness and isolation since the pandemic began, often plagued by anxious dreams and a profound sense of loneliness. Thus, I sought guidance from these happiness hackers, crafting a plan for my journey to Helsinki last June to explore their insights and put their wisdom to the test.
