The Swedes know what they’re doing. Home to some of the happiest people on earth, the nation has much to teach us about living well. A case in point is the Lagom method – a philosophy which focuses on finding joy in doing just enough. As psychologist Lara Ferreiro puts it, “This involves prioritising what’s essential, making time for rest and avoiding overload. It’s not about extreme productivity – it’s about mental sustainability.” Below, she and Ellen af Petersens, a wellness expert, former Swedish yoga teacher and founder of the beauty brand Colekt, talk us through applying the Lagom method to our daily lives.
1. Set 3 realistic priorities each day
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Learning to prioritise is a key part of the Lagom method. Ferreiro advises setting three clear priorities each day. “People who do this are significantly more likely to complete key tasks,” she adds. And these priorities need to be realistic and tangible. “The brain responds better to concrete, achievable goals than to endless lists.”
2. Embrace fika
Fika, the art of the Swedish coffee break, is one of the nation’s secrets to wellbeing. Swedish cinnamon buns are optional but recommended, and it’s important to view it as a moment to pause, connect and recharge – not one to rush through. You can fika solo – in which case, put your phone away – but it’s usually a social ritual, which can be shared with colleagues, family, friends or flatmates. Often it’s more about the conversation than the coffee. At workplaces across Sweden, fika breaks are often baked into the schedule. Sometimes, there might even be two – one in the middle of the morning, and another in the afternoon. For Ellen af Petersens, a fika break is the biggest aid to staying focused, and Ferreiro adds that structured breaks are shown to both increase cognitive performance and reduce emotional exhaustion.
3. Take a walk in nature
“In Sweden, we have public access laws which allow people to freely explore much of the country’s forests, mountains, lakes and coastlines,” explains af Petersens. “I love the connection that exists in Scandinavian traditions with forests, particularly, and their therapeutic and healing effects.” Going for a walk in a green space, then, is the perfect way to unplug, recharge and practice mindfulness. (Also common in Sweden? Having a dog, which gets you out for walks even more regularly.) Ferreiro adds that walks are essential for emotional wellbeing, shown to improve mood, foster creativity and promote more flexible neural connections.
