An engaging and practical guided tour of the simple and nature-inspired ways that Finns stay happy and healthy--including the powerful concept of sisu, or everyday courage Forget hygge--it's time to blow out the candles and get out into the world! Journalist Katja Pantzar did just that, taking the huge leap to move to the remote Nordic country of Finland. What she discovered there transformed her body, mind and spirit. In this engaging and practical guide, she shows readers how to embrace the "keep it simple and sensible" daily practices that make Finns one of the happiest populations in the world, year after year. Topics include: Movement as medicine: How walking, biking and swimming every day are good for what ails us--and best done outside the confines of a gym Natural mood boosters: Cold water swimming, steamy saunas, and other ways to alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression Forest therapy: Why there's no substitute for getting out into nature on a regular basis Healthy eating: What the Nordic diet can teach us all about feeding body, mind and soul The gift of sisu: Why Finns embrace a special form of courage, grit and determination as a national virtue - and how anyone can dig deeper to survive and thrive through tough times. If you've ever wondered if there's a better, simpler way to find happiness and good heath, look no further. The Finns have a word for that, and this empowering book shows us how to achieve it.
Finnish-born writer Katja Pantzar was raised and educated in Canada, where the consumerist and materially obsessed culture left her feeling empty and unhappy. When she received treatment for depression in her mid-20s, the doctor treating her simply prescribed medication and sleeping pills, no thought given to her lifestyle. After moving to Finland, Katja discovered sisu: the Finnish approach to well being defined by a special kind of resilience, grit and courage. She embraced this way of living and experienced a dramatic turnaround in her health and happiness. Simple, functional exercise (as simple as riding her bike to work), the Nordic diet,spending time in nature and water together with a more courageous outlook, all served to transform Pantzar's life: her anxieties, fatigue and pain left behind in the sea. In Finding Sisu, Pantzar offers an honest (no place is perfect - Finland is not an exception) and uplifting account of her physical and psychological health transformation from a slightly lethargic depressive into an energetic optimist. She examines the link between sisu and the Nordic reputation for excellent wellbeing and overall life satisfaction, and looks at the ways in which we, too, can apply sisu to our lives - wherever we may be. Finding Sisu is a personal but also practical approach to the power of this 500-year-old philosophy and how it can help us all to lead healthier, happier - and braver lives.
Discover the Finnish quality of sisu and how cultivating it can help you lead a life of greater purpose and happiness. This ancient Finnish word describes an attitude of courage, resilience, grit, tenacity and perseverance. This key psychological competence enables extraordinary action in times of adversity. To have sisu confers a further dimension of doing so with honesty, integrity and humility. By cultivating sisu you can: Face life's challenges with courage and determination Enhance your wellbeing and find your focus Communicate confidently and resolve conflicts effectively Cultivate endurance and achieve your fitness goals Raise kind and resilient children Act with integrity and fight for what you believe in Sisu is a universal trait. It may have been bottled and labelled by the Finns, but it is within reach of everyone. It lies within you, and you are very likely to have used it already.
Discover how the happiest people on earth survive—and thrive—through tough times using inner strength and courage. Sisu is a powerful mindset that makes Finland one of the happiest countries in the world, despite long winters, social isolation, and a history of challenging times. In Everyday Sisu, journalist Katja Pantzar explores the simple practices that make Finnish life so stable, sustainable, and healthy for body and mind, even when life doesn’t go as planned. You’ll discover ways to boost your mental and physical resilience to face life’s challenges head-on, including: • connecting with nature • strengthening community • using what you have • reframing what you can’t control • adopting a solutions mindset • finding strength in the struggle Featuring insights from Finnish experts in mental health, wellness, sustainability, social justice, and more, this practical and empowering guide presents a road map for overcoming what you thought you couldn’t—and finding hope and tools to create a brighter way forward.
We need to transform building the Finnish cultural context of sisu; taking action through perseverance, integrity, and tenacity when adversity strikes and brings us to our lowest levels. If we do not, we will continue to suffer consequences of our invisible challenges that people can not see to understand. This book is the story of Kelly Thune, a brain injury survivor, that lost her career, home, identity, and purpose in the line of duty as a school administrator.It was a blessing and a curse to have the summer off with my children. A blessing to look out my bedroom window at the swarm of middle school boys on their bikes circling wondering if my pretty thirteen year old was home. If she was home, a game of volleyball would start and kids would be laying all over the lawn with the contents of the pantry cabinet littering the grass. A curse because this will never happen again. I lay on my side on my bed, as I look out the window, meditation music playing. The crisp white bedspread is contrast to my suntanned legs curled in the fetal position; toes painted a light summer blue with a touch of sparkle on my big toes. My eyes close and I begin to notice the ringing in my ears. The ringing never ever goes away. Ever. I have a headache and I can't see properly even though my eyes themselves are fine. Neurofatigue keeps me from life as I knew it. Two concussions in two years meant a loss of income, career, and purpose. Ultimately, watching my daughter from that bedroom window will never happen again because I also lost my house. Just when I envisioned a new life for myself and had a goal of becoming a school superintendent, I suffered two concussions in two years; the second in the line of duty as a school administrator. However, I have sisu. The three main goals of this book are 1) to share a story of transformation by using sisu after two serious concussions within two years, 2) to describe how the cultural and historical construct of the Finnish word sisu (noun and verb) can be used as a framework to overcome personal adversity including concussion/mTBI, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or other mental health challenges 3) and to serve as a reflective question and answer guide and motivational tool of "I can" statements to process and record your pathway of sisu to a new you. Kelly shares the story of injury, and the challenges as a working single mother and an individual that has been forced to redefine herself when she thought everything was in place. By taking a long look back and baby steps forward, she traced how an exchange experience to the country of Finland during her youth was formative in building sisu. Through her transformation after injury she realized why this word has surfaced over and over during her life and how others can build sisu, a fire within to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. The main chapters are represented by a theme of the day format; seven themes that describe what sisu was used to transformation and how to build it yourself. Mindful Monday: Building Sisu Requires Confronting Your Challenges Trying Tuesday: Building Sisu Involves Finding Enjoyment While in Discomfort Workout Wednesday: Building Sisu Requires Exercise/Training Thoughtful Thursday: Building Sisu Involves The Role of Reflection Informative Friday: Building Sisu Is Reason and Learning Informed Social Saturday: Building Sisu Involves Making Connections and Strengthening Relationships Reset Sunday: Building Sisu Involves Finding Balance & Restoring Purpose. Follow Sisu To A New You on Facebook or Instagram. Sisu To A New You!
Leadership is a set of abilities with which a lucky few are born. They're the natural relationship builders, master negotiators and persuaders, and agile and strategic thinkers. The good news for the rest of us is that those abilities can be developed. In The Leader's Brain, Wharton Neuroscience Initiative director Michael Platt explains how.
'A raw and honest account. In Search of Sisu touches on key elements of human psychology, overcoming adversity and difficult decision making on an intensely personal journey' Bear Grylls - - - - - 'Powerfully written and compelling. A must-read for anyone with an interest in adventure' Sir Ranulph Fiennes - - - - - At the age of 22, Geordie Stewart became the youngest Briton to climb the Seven Summits - the highest mountain on every continent. Aged 17, he read a book about Everest and, despite no climbing experience, became obsessed with achieving this ambition. Four years later, despite turning around 150m from the summit on his first attempt, he stood on top of the world. The book offers a raw, emotive and passionate insight into the complexity of teenage vulnerabilities. The real aim in those seven mountains was not climbing glory or breaking records but rather a path to contentment. In Search of Sisu reveals Geordie's transition from a self-doubting teenager battling an all-encompassing eating disorder to a young man who had the belief to realise his dreams.
From awkward interactions on public transportation to avoiding small talk with salespeople, introverts from all over the world will find something to love in this comic sensation from Finland. Mild-mannered protagonist Matti is a typical Finn who appreciates peace, quiet, and personal space--but things do not always go according to his wishes. Finnish Nightmares is an illustrated collection of his and many people's worst fears when it comes to social interactions. Divided into sections on dealing with neighbors, going shopping, sharing public spaces, tense dining situations, and more, there is a comic for every squeamish scenario, from having to sing your own praises in a job interview, to being unable to leave your apartment because a neighbor is in the hallway. A fascinating look at Nordic culture, globe trotters and armchair travelers alike will enjoy this insider's glimpse into the local life and habits of Finland. With a charming and quirky universality, there is an awkward and laughable situation that everyone can relate to in Finnish Nightmares.
Danes have hygge. Swedes have lagom. But the Finns have the best - "kalsariokanni" or pantsdrunk – drinking at home, alone, in your underwear. When it comes to happiness rankings, Finland always scores near the top. Many Finnish phenomena set the bar high: the best education system, gender equality, a flourishing welfare state, sisu or bull-headed pluck. Behind all of these accomplishments lies a Finnish ability to stay calm, healthy and content in a riptide of endless tasks and temptations. The ability comes from the practice of "kalsarikanni" translated as pantsdrunk. Peel off your clothes down to your underwear. Place savory or sweet snacks within reach alongside your bed or sofa. Make sure your television remote control is nearby along with any and all devices to access social media. Open your preferred alcohol. Your journey toward inner strength, higher quality of life, and peace of mind has begun.
