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Championing what you have, taking only what you need, and leaving enough for others is enough to feel good, and is better for everyone else, too.
Speaking of which, maintaining an overall work-life balance is a practice in lagom. If you've been working a lot, it's time to take a break.
But more than that, as well as inner balance it means finding balance in all areas of your life, including in your relationships with others and the environment.
Even if you are satisfied by what you have now and derive comfort from it, it doesn't necessarily mean more of it will make you any happier.
Not too much, just the right amount—in Sweden, this feeling of equilibrium is recognized by a concept called lagom.
If all your immediate needs are met (i.e. you have a roof over your head, friends you can call, money to get by, etc.), you can feel contentment in this.
Keep your space tidy and organized with practical items, and decorated in neutral tones, for a sense of light and minimalism.
Lagom means knowing when enough is enough. In practicing lagom, you reach a place of balance and moderation, rather than constantly grasping for more.
Lagom encourages an appreciation for the beauty and value of nature and your environment. Spending time in nature is grounding and good for your health.
It's not just about learning to enjoy the simple things, but appreciating what you have with a sense of satisfaction that you don't need more.
When life is balanced, you have time for the things that leave you feeling happy and fulfilled. This gives a sense of overall wellness.
Food is one of the pleasures of life. Enjoying the fresh foods you like is good for your mood and overall sense of well-being.
You can have treats, too, but in moderation. Have a little bit of something decadent, without going overboard. You won't have instant regret afterwards!
It's a display of social awareness. If you take more than your fair share, there won't be enough for everyone else.
It recognizes that what we do affects other people. If you grab everything you can and hoard it, everyone is worse off.
Whether it's spending time with family and friends, working, volunteering, exercising, relaxing, or participating in hobbies, everyone needs the "right amount" of the things that give their life a sense of fulfillment.
Everyone can develop healthy habits in their daily life to practice lagom; you don't need to be in Sweden to do it! There are several ways to introduce the concept into your life.
Taking a small break is good for mental health. It's also been linked to better performance at work, showing the importance of keeping a balance between work and rest time.
In Sweden, people break for fika in the mid-afternoon (around 4 pm). This ritual is a time to stop what you're doing and enjoy a coffee and a snack with friends or colleagues.
Whether you decide to cut back on hours or need a change of scenery, achieving work-life balance is associated with greater job and life satisfaction.
Having a deep appreciation for the role nature plays in our lives can also foster a sense of responsibility and consciousness about how we care for it.
Overexercising can lead to injury, soreness, and irritability. Listen to your body and make rest an integral part of your training routine.
The benefits of exercise are many, but lots of people don't get enough. Still, you can get too much exercise in as well, and it's important to balance this with rest days.
This doesn't mean you have to feel happy all the time, though; it just means learning to process emotions as they arise, so they don't become overwhelming.
Negative emotions are a natural part of life. Finding a balance between positive and negative emotions will help you establish a sense of calm in your life.
Giving and receiving physical gifts is linked to experiencing positive emotions. While receiving can be nice, often the giver benefits just as much!
Giving and receiving emotional support has been linked with feeling less negative emotions. Your presence is a gift, too, so give it wisely (and just enough).
Learn when to turn off your phone and just enjoy the moment. Relax and reconnect with people and yourself, taking a break from being constantly "available."
Buy and consume only what you need. Prioritize what you want, and exercise restraint when you buy things. For bigger purchases, choose quality over quantity.
A conversation should be balanced, with an exchange of verbal and non-verbal cues to let the speaker know that you're listening and engaged. Active listening helps build positive relationships.
Nordic countries are known to score highly when it comes to happiness and a general sense of well-being amongst their populations. Could it be they have some kernels of wisdom that we could all learn from? You might have already heard of hygge, a Danish concept about getting cozy and sharing small moments of happiness with others. But what about lagom? It's a Swedish term, which when roughly translated means “not too little, not too much–just right.” The idea is to create a happy life through balance, and leaving enough for others.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about this novel concept!
The more simple and pared back your life, the less stress and hurried you'll feel between tasks. Taking the time to enjoy a little of life's pleasures as you balance your responsibilities, relationships, and basic needs is a practice in lagom.
Sources: (Health.com) (Country and Town House) (Scandification) (Big Think)
See also: Nunchi, the Korean secret to happiness
The Swedish secret to a balanced life
The art of getting it "just right"
LIFESTYLE Well-being
Nordic countries are known to score highly when it comes to happiness and a general sense of well-being amongst their populations. Could it be they have some kernels of wisdom that we could all learn from? You might have already heard of hygge, a Danish concept about getting cozy and sharing small moments of happiness with others. But what about lagom? It's a Swedish term, which when roughly translated means “not too little, not too much–just right.” The idea is to create a happy life through balance, and leaving enough for others.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about this novel concept!