Lifestyle expert at Contura provides tips on incorporating lagom (balance) into your lifestyle for better health and happiness.
Despite the best of intentions, New Year’s resolutions can sometimes end up making us feel guilty or overwhelmed, especially if they’re just too unrealistic and difficult to stick to. There’s no denying that 2020 has been a tumultuous year, with many of us worrying about finances, work, family, future, relationships and wellbeing more than ever before.
However, there are some positives we can take from the pandemic: slowing down and enjoying the little things, more quality time with children and partners, doing up our homes and gardens, and recognising and appreciating the important things in life.
Here, lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, provides her top tips on how to be more Scandi in 2021 to improve health and happiness. From getting out into nature, to spending more quality time with loved ones, this guide has been designed to help us start on the right footing and look forward to the year ahead.
“Living well is about taking a holistic approach to our happiness and wellbeing,” says Catharina. “In Sweden, we adhere to the principles of lagom (balance) for all areas of life, and this guide will explore the benefits of lagom and provide practical tips for a more balanced, fulfilled, and happier lifestyle.
“This year has been challenging to say the least, but there is no denying it has also been a wake-up call. It’s helped us to prioritise better. We may no longer be commuting and have freed up more time for a better work-life balance, we’re more in tune with what makes us happy and this is often small joys, and it has reminded us that social interaction and family connection is a key component to happiness – in an age that we’re all guilty of spending a lot of time online.
“The following tips are designed to slot seamlessly into your daily routine; there are no big shocks or daunting tasks. To be ‘more Scandi’ is simply to appreciate that there is joy in the everyday – sometimes we just need a little help to recognise it.”
Read on for Catharina’s full tips.
Body, mind & spirit
In order to take care of loved ones well, we first need to take care of ourselves. This means being in tune with our body, mind and spirit. Regular exercise for the body, adequate rest and enough sleep for the mind, quality time alone and with loved ones for the soul… all these factors will lead to better health and wellness.
Ensure you’re getting enough vitamins and health-boosting nutrients from your food. Consume plenty of leafy greens and fibrous foods, while eating less processed foods and limiting anything too high in fat or sugar. Hydration is also key, and you should aim to drink 6-8 cups of water a day. Give your body a rest from alcohol after special occasions or periods of indulgence and ensure you’re getting enough “me time” – take a long walk in the fresh air, run a bath, wind down in the evenings with a boxset or book. And importantly, aim for quality sleep to recover and refresh ahead of a new day.
Nature close to home
Is there anything better than a rambling walk through nature? Taking in deep breaths of fresh air, spotting birds and animals in their habitats, and being at one with the natural world are key components of happiness, and a daily walk will do wonders for your mood. Once in nature, take in your surroundings and pause to acknowledge your thoughts and emotions of the day. You will feel more connected to the natural world and more at peace.
In Sweden, Allemansrätten (everyone’s ‘right to roam’) ensures everyone has free public access to nature – and this is crucial to achieving lagom. Embrace this notion by exploring nature close to home; whether it’s a local park, woodland, nature reserve, river, coast or mountains. Get a dose of exercise too by walking, cycling or jogging.
Home is your haven
We create homes that reflect us as people and for Swedes, the home is about creating a nest of familiarity we can call our own. It’s instinctive to seek comfort within our dwellings where we can retreat from the outside world and feel safe and secure. Most homes in the Nordic countries take a minimalist approach to home décor; durable, high quality designs that look effortlessly chic, while also complementing the changing seasons.
Lagom in the home means ensuring everything in it fulfils the roles of both practicality and sentiment. This means only keeping hold of items that serve a purpose or truly mean something to you and taking a “less is more” approach to decoration. Resist the tendency to clutter up surfaces and instead curate your possessions and style in a way that is beautiful but also functional.
A truly Scandi interior uses only neutral colours, but if this feels too minimalist for your style, add pops of colour through accessories and soft furnishings. Greenery and plants look stylish and help with better air quality. Textured furnishings in natural materials – such as woven rugs, rattan furniture, linen table runners and fluffy cushions – add depth and interest, especially when combined with a simple Scandi style colour scheme.
Social life
We are social creatures and crave acceptance and belonging, but isolation and loneliness are problems that all countries face, including Sweden. Making friends as an adult can feel harder too, but wellbeing and happiness is closely interwoven with personal relationships, so it is worth investing your time in fostering connections.
In Sweden, many people belong to an organisation or club, meeting like-minded people on a regular basis. If you’re missing social interaction and when restrictions allow, you might like to check out the clubs in your local area or try a new activity – you may surprise yourself with how much you enjoy a new hobby, craft or sport.
Investing care and attention in existing friendships is important too. Check in on friends and family and really listen to their problems and share in their celebrations. If friends or loved ones are struggling, try to remember it’s not always about providing solutions; sometimes we all simply need someone to talk, vent or cry to, without judgement or reasoning.
If you’re new to an area and feel inclined, introduce yourself to your neighbours. There are also apps that connect local neighbourhoods, which are great for local recommendations, advice and support.
Long-term goals to happiness
Embracing a more Scandi way of life is not a daunting prospect, but more about small lifestyle changes that are best implemented over a long time. It’s unrealistic to believe happiness is a switch that can be turned on or off, so think of happiness as a long-term goal and find ongoing ways to build towards it. You will soon get to know what makes you feel happier, healthier and more positive – so try out these tips to see how being more Scandi can help you in 2021.
For more information on Contura, please visit http://www.contura.eu
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Notes to editors:
- Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood.
- The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.
For further press information, please contact:
Elsa Findlay | Jo Kendall | Julie Aguilera
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Contura:
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.
Starting at £1,095, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality and ease of use.
Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. Currently, 95% of Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.
Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.
Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) in the UK.
For more information please visit www.contura.eu
