6 Ways To Live More Scandinavian.

To help you live a little more like the people of Scandinavia, here are 6 tips and tricks to get you started.

1. Become a minimalist

“Less is more”, is the unofficial national motto of Denmark. This lifestyle trend can be seen all over Scandinavia, where the population seems to have decided that less stuff equals more happiness. So if you want to experience life like a Scandinavian, ditch your stuff and embrace minimalism. You might be surprised at how little you actually need in life!

2. Use a candle every day

Scandinavians love candles –in fact, candles are the preferred source of light in many Scandinavian homes. Candles bring warmth and create a sense of intimacy, especially during the long dark winter mon, as it helps remove negative energy from your body. Traditionally, they were made from tallow or beeswax but nowadays most are made from paraffin wax. However more brands are using soy wax which is both vegan and sustainable.

Foto: Ester & Erik Candles

3. Eat Well

It's not a coincidence that Scandinavians are some of the healthiest people in the world –the Nordic diet is low in saturated fats, high in fiber and protein, with plenty of vegetables. The national cuisine is simple but incredibly healthy, consisting mainly of fish, seafood, lamb and pork, complemented by root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. If you want to eat like a Scandinavian then try to incorporate more fresh fish into your diet –especially salmon, mackerel and herring, as well as plenty of vegetables.

4. Enjoy the Swedish Language

Even if you're not planning on living in Sweden, learning Swedish is still a great idea –not only does it open up job opportunities in Sweden, but also makes it easier to understand your Scandinavian neighbors! Even if you're just interested in trying out a new language then Swedish is definitely worth learning –it's closely related to English and German so will be easy to pick up. 

5. Plants. Lots of them.

Scandinavians love plants. Although they’re not exactly an odor eliminator, plants are great for improving the quality of the air in your home. In fact, some research has shown that plants can reduce stress and lower blood pressure levels by increasing the amount of oxygen in the air. When choosing which plants to keep around your home, make sure to choose ones that are easy to maintain and keep clean. You’ll also want to choose plants that emit a pleasant scent, like geraniums or lavender.

6. Visit a Scandinavian festival

There are plenty of Scandinavian festivals throughout the year and it's a great way to get a feel for what makes nordics so special. Whether you're enjoying the famous music festival, Way Out West or checking out one of the many other events, you'll get to see what Nordic life is all about.