Lagom, Hygge, Fika and Lykke – The Principles of the Nordic Good Life

People living in the Nordic countries consistently rank at the top of the world's happiness tables. Where does this come from?

We believe it comes from the ability to find joy in small things, as well as to take time off without guilt and eat cinnamon buns. You're probably familiar with the words hygge and lykke, but have you also heard of fika and lagom?

In difficult times, the Scandinavian principles of comfortable living are invaluable to everyone.

Or actually, since we're spending most of our time at home right now, we've probably already applied cozy and pleasant living principles without even realizing it.

See if you recognize yourself in any of these Scandinavian ways of life.

Lagom or life in balance

Lagom is the Swedish principle of living, which means "just the right amount" or in other words, balance. Don't work too much or too little, don't rest too much or too little. Do both in moderation, and then your life will be nicely balanced and your relationships will be in order too.

The same applies to eating, sleeping, exercising, and everything else that comes with life.

Although, who says how many Sunday morning pancakes are just the right amount? Can there be too many pancakes?

Hygge or coziness

Hygge is the Danish art of living and in most languages there is no direct equivalent for this word. (By the way, the word hygge exists in both Danish and Norwegian, but it became world-famous thanks to Meik Wiking, the director of the Danish Institute for Happiness Research, when he published "The Little Book of Hygge", which became a huge success around the world.)

We suggest that in Estonian, hygge could be understood as cozy being, because it's a feeling that arises, for example, when you've curled up under a blanket in the most comfortable armchair in your world and are enjoying a book, with a cup of tea (or a drink that makes you feel good) by your side. Or when you sit on the terrace in the morning and watch the sun rise. Or when you enjoy those same Sunday morning pancakes with your family that we mentioned above.

Since cozy being means slightly different things for everyone, there are also no hygge rules. Or actually, there's really only one rule – you have to feel comfortable.

That's why hygge can be applied in all areas of life: at home, at work, in relationships, and why not also while walking in the park, when you smile nicely at the people around you who follow the 2 + 2 rule. That feeling you get when they smile back at you, that's hygge.

You might even have a (reusable) coffee cup in your hand.

And this leads us to the next topic.

Fika or coffee and cake break

Fika comes again from Sweden and can be understood as a coffee and cake break. Estonians certainly know how to appreciate that!

Actually, the concept of fika goes beyond coffee. According to Swedishfood.com, fika should be enjoyed with others, otherwise it's just drinking coffee and eating cake alone.

Fika is a ritual where you take time out and breathe together with others. For example, reportedly an entire Volvo factory does this every day at the same time.

What you eat during fika isn't really important, as long as the food is fresh, ideally homemade, and nicely arranged on a plate. Eating Chinese food straight from the box is not fika. But enjoying a beautifully made homemade sandwich with your dear companion, with whom you're currently sharing a home office, is fika.

Lykke – that's happiness

Lykke can even be translated by Google's translation program – it means happiness. While happiness can mean very different things for each person, in the case of lykke, the meaning of happiness is complex and consists of contentment in all areas of life. But these areas are connected to each other by the ability to be in the moment and the desire to make others happy.

And now, as the Swedes say: you're never too busy to enjoy fika.