Lagom - The Swedish Way to Happiness

Last year the world was obsessed with the Danish word "Hygge". It seemed like the word was everywhere you looked, as we got to grips with the concept of this very Scandinavian term. Everyone wanted to stock up on scented candles, woollen socks and varieties of tea inspired by Instagram. Now it looks like our cosy Hygge days are over. A new, cool Scandinavian trend can be seen on the horizon: Lagom is coming!

While the Danish Hygge refers to appreciating moments of bliss and cosiness the Swedish Lagom praises the virtues of moderation and life balance. Compared to Hygge, Lagom is also much easier to pronounce: The A is more like a short, not quite round O, and the O is spoken like a U. So, it's (more-or-less) pronounced as "logum". In addition, Lagom is much more understandable than the difficulty to describe the warm and fuzzy feeling from Denmark, because it is associated with a balanced and happy lifestyle. 

But what exactly is behind this ambiguous term and what do you have to do to benefit from the Swedish recipe for a happy life? Don’t we all want a happy and stress-free life in which we have more time for our family and friends? A lottery win can of course help this dream to become a reality. But while we wait to hit the jackpot, we will unlock the secret of Lagom and explain just how it works. 

In Vino Veritas: In the (honey) wine lies the truth

There is no literal translation of Lagom. The etymology refers to the old Swedish word "lag" meaning "law". Legend has it that the term is derived from a shortening of the term " laget om ", which dates back to the Viking era, when Vikings allegedly passed around a drinking horn or a pitcher of mead when they sat around the campfire. Sitting in a circle they were permitted to take just one drink and the same amount of honey wine for each. Thus, we have ‘Laget om’, which means something like "around the crew".

Today Lagom is a commonly used word in Sweden that can be applied to almost any situation. Everything can be Lagom, whether it's food, work, clothing or weather. The basis for this is always satisfaction - a feeling that things are as they are. Because there is something for everyone, if everyone takes only the part that is theirs. Even the popular Swedish saying "Lagom är bäst" (‘the right amount is best’, or, ‘enough is as good as a feast’) backs up this way of thinking.

The healthy middle ground

The magic formula for Lagom is "not too much, not too little - just right", only the happy medium; not extreme or exaggerated. However, if you ask a Swede about Lagom, you usually get only laughter as an answer. Lagom is in their blood, they take it for granted - nothing that needs to be consciously implemented in order to lead a happy and balanced life.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle came up with a similar idea many years ago, in the form of his doctrine of the golden mean: This suggested that moral behaviour is the mean between two extremes, with excess on one side and deficiency at the other. If you can find a moderate position between the two then you will be acting in a moral fashion. The search for balance is therefore not a new phenomenon. However, the worldwide hype surrounding Lagom has been especially noticeable in recent months. Cosmetic companies and lifestyle magazines have contributed to the fact that searches for the Swedish word have multiplied on the Internet. Ikea, too, has jumped onto the bandwagon and introduced the project "Live Lagom", which is about a sustainable and healthy life.

In a world where we have almost unlimited access to everything the heart desires, anytime and anywhere, Lagom, with its natural aversion to extremes, is a welcome relief. We need to learn that contentment can’t come from material things, act instead it is an internal state. It's the simple things that will help us find a balance in our lives. Social awareness, moderation and sustainability are fundamental factors that we should internalize to welcome Lagom in our lives.

Lagom as a way of life

It makes sense that people around the world are attracted to Lagom, says Niels Eék, psychologist and co-founder of "Remente", an app designed to help us improve our wellbeing. On the one hand, we push ourselves to work hard and without interruptions or breaks. Through our smartphones, we are always reachable no matter where we are, we exercise to the point of exhaustion or alternatively indulge in excess, by overly enjoying unhealthy things like alcohol and junk food. Then we try to balance this with detox and tech-free days. "In a world of contrasts and contradictory advice, Lagom is right in the middle - allowing people to have fun while remaining healthy and content."

Lagom is a small word of great importance, as it describes, among other things, the Swedish attitude to justice. This character trait, which is fundamental to the inhabitants of the Land of the Elk, can be applied in all walks of life.

Who doesn’t want a little bit of Sweden in their life? The fourth-largest European country regularly makes it into the top 10 of the World Happiness Index, a ranking published by the United Nations each year. There are also a lot of other league tables where the Swedes score above average. In the Better Life Index, for example, they are also leaders in the categories of life satisfaction, work-life balance and health. How do the Swedes manage to find their inner balance to lead a happy life? Quite simply, they have Lagom!

Lagom in practice

It all sounds very good on paper, but how does it look in practice? How is Lagom applied in different areas of life? Let’s see how the Swedes do it, to follow their lead!

Food & Drink

In Sweden, people pay attention to having a balanced diet. Healthy, locally produced foods that are simple and tasty are on the menu. In his book " The Nordic Guide to Living 10 Years Longer: 10 Easy Tips For a Happier, Healthier Life" Dr. Bertil Marklund outlines the advantages of the Nordic diet, which puts an emphasis on omega-3-containing fish, fruits and vegetables. However, that does not mean that you can’t treat yourself now and then. But also here it is necessary to find the golden mean. Not too little and not too much - Lagom!

Swedes are connoisseurs, they take time for good food. According to cookbook author Steffi Knowles-Dellner, appreciation and respect for the ingredients you use are part of this. It's not about perfection, it's about harmony. Whether you are cooking a three-star menu or a schnitzel, you should always use high-quality ingredients and, for example, make sure that the meat comes from animal welfare. For Knowles-Dellner, Lagom also involves accepting the culinary diversity of all cultures.

Fashion & Design

Fashion and design also reflect Lagom's aversion to extremes. The Nordic look - minimalist, flexible and modern - is one of the most popular interior design styles. The inspiration is brought from nature. With organic shapes and materials like wood, wool and fur you can live comfortably (Hello Hygge!), self-sufficient and sustainable. Clean lines, bright colours and sufficient light sources set the tone. Another maxim of the Scandinavian style of living is: form follows function.

Straightforward and affordable design is also present in fashion. Demanding understated looks are the order of the day, less is more. Sweden tends to be about practical clothes. Nevertheless, their outfits are not just thrown together, quality is always respected. 

Work & Occupations

As mentioned above, the Swedes pay special attention to finding a balance between work and private life. The profession is of course important, but it does not represent the centre of life. The family must not be neglected.

That's why more and more companies in Sweden are introducing the 6-hour working day without sacrificing productivity. Lagom shows in professional life above all as team spirit and togetherness. Regular breaks are also an important part of Swedish everyday working life. So there's a little "ritual" called Fika, which basically consists of taking short breaks several times a day to have coffee and a bite to eat with colleagues or friends. More than simply a short break, Fika is a helpful way to clear the head and to gain some distance from work.

The Swedish way to happiness

Lola A. Åkerström describes the Swedish way to a good life very well in her best-selling Lagom "Live Laugh Lagom". The key is to find the perfect balance for yourself. There is no equal measure that can be applied to each individual. Åkerström's guide is therefore not a manual with guidelines that must be strictly followed. The author says herself, "What is great for me may be not so great for you and vice versa. Your and my Lagom do not have to be identical. Everyone should find their own Lagom and respect and tolerate that of others."

The main goal of Lagom is to reduce stress. It's not about completely changing our lives. Each of us has our own daily routines. To optimise it, we only have to make small changes that make our lives easier. Åkerström suggests asking yourself, "What does it mean for me to live well?" As soon as we have found an answer, we should concentrate on setting measurable and logical goals that are achievable.

For example, if someone wants to improve their physical condition, but is not used to exercising on a daily basis, it is best to start with small exercises. Walking to work is something we feel good about and that we can easily incorporate into our routine without completely changing it. But working out at the gym for three or four hours, when we're not used to doing any sports at all, can cause so much stress that we'll be frustrated in a few days and give up on the whole idea. This in turn causes us to feel bad, thus defeating the aim before we even truly get started.

The motto is that small changes in our habits and even thoughts make life easier, but we should remain true to ourselves. A balance between our wishes, needs and duties creates a fair balance to everyday life. In Åkerström's words: "Finding your own Lagom allows you to lead your life the way you imagine, to relieve stress and thus to reach an optimal point that will make you happy." 

Quellen:

bbc.com/travel   
cbcc.ca/news/health 
dw.com/de/lifestyletrend-lagom  
independent.co.uk/life-style  
telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness 
wellandgood.com 
welt.de/icon