Mental care with a Nordic-style holiday

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Even with high levels of happiness...?

Nordic countries are known for their high levels of happiness.
Although taxes are high, citizens seem to have high satisfaction because the money is properly allocated to education, healthcare, and welfare.

This time, we will focus on a problem that these Nordic countries face, which we don't know much about.
That isthe fact that there are many patients with depression in Nordic countries.

Why do you think there is so much depression in Nordic countries?
The reason is relatively simple:there are few hours of sunlight during the long winter.
In Japan, this is calledwinter depression, a type of depression that is prone to occurring in snowy regions like northern Japan.

"If it's about winter depression, I live in a different region, so it doesn't apply to me."

No.
Winter depression just has specific onset conditions, and in fact, itsprevention methods and improvement measuresare no different from those for widely seen depression.

In Nordic countries, winter depression has been rooted for a long time.
Therefore, they incorporate methods to prevent and improve depression into their daily actions.

This time, let's explore how Nordic countries spend their holidays, which we should emulate to prevent depression.

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Go for a walk

The first way to spend a holiday in the Nordic style that we should emulate is to go for a walk.

"A walk, you mean that kind of walk?"
Yes, that kind of walk.

As I wrote earlier, there are many days in the Nordic region with short daylight hours.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to actively go out and bathe in sunlight.

I have also written in past articles that sunlight and walking are necessary for the prevention and improvement of depression, so please take a look at those as well.

In Japan, too, we see people wearing sportswear and walking.
However, there is no need to be that stoic.
After all, it is aholiday.

People in Nordic countries often have their own favorite walking courses.
Things like "the scenery is nice when you go through here" or "flowers are blooming on this street during this season."
The goal is ultimately torefresh the mind and body.

Spend time in the park

The second Nordic way of spending a holiday that I would like to emulate is spending time in a park.

In Japan today, there probably aren't many people who go to parks.
Don't you alsoassume that "parks are places for children and the elderly"?You might even find small parks that have become like forgotten vacant lots.
However, that is not the case in Nordic countries.

Many people actively use parks.
Some people stop by a park while out for a walk, as mentioned earlier, to read a book on a bench.

They are also used as places to meet friends and chat.
In Japan, people might go to a cafe for that, but in Nordic countries, it is basicallya coffee in one hand on a park bench.

When you hear the word "park," you think of playground equipment or playing with a ball, right?
But just because you come to a park doesn't mean you necessarily have to do something active.
Sometimes people just walk to the park and spend their time in an indoor-like way.

The important thing is"being outside".

Creating a relaxing space

The third Nordic way of spending a holiday that I would like to emulate is relaxing at home.

In Nordic countries with heavy snowfall, there may be holidays when you want to go out but cannot.
On such days, people naturally spend their time relaxing at home.

"So, you mean it's fine to just lounge around at home?"
That is true, but it's not quite that simple.

When you say "spending a holiday at home" in Japan, you might picture someone touching their smartphone or surfing the internet all day.
But that won't do.

The important thing is to "relax," which meansplacing yourself in a space where you can relax.

On holidays, you want to keep your distance from digital devices as much as possible.
We see and hear all kinds of information through digital devices every day, so our brains are exhausted.
There is no reason to go out of your way to accumulate fatigue even on your days off, is there?

Listen to music.
Read a book.
Chat with family and friends.

The way you spend your time is up to you, but it is important to "relax" by doing things thatremove the mental and physical fatigueof the day.
What becomes important here is to create a relaxing space on a regular basis.

If things are too cluttered, it will be difficult to relax because you will be worried about this and that.
You might also need to be careful about the habit of reaching for your smartphone or computer immediately.

In Nordic countries, they say theydo not compromise on choosing furniture and creating a roomto create a relaxing space.
"Holidays are for relaxing"is a sentiment that has likely been passed down for many years.

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Summary

This time, I was able to learn about the sensible ways to spend a holiday in Nordic countries.
　1. Go for a walk
　2. Spend time in a park
　3. Create a relaxing space

When I developed depression, I started by reducing my belongings.
The clutter felt bothersome, and once I reduced it to a certain extent, I felt refreshed.

Going outside for a walk is also truly important.
I feel that the way I recovered was completely different before and after I started walking.

People in Nordic countries have likely passed down important ideas over many generations.

I am sure that all of your family members also feel that things are difficult, but please do not rush and patiently help with the recovery.

This time, the topic was that it actually also helps with saving money.

I hope this article helps those who have read it.
Well then, until next time.

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