melissakuzma's review against another edition
4.0
Having just returned from a trip to Scandinavia, and being now obsessed with all things Scandinavian, I knew this book was for me. It doesn't surprise me at all that the Danish are the happiest people on earth. They've got it all - socialized medicine, living wages for all workers, paid parental leave, and all the other social safety net goodies we are so sorely lacking in the US. Danish people love to drink, spend time with friends and family, be "hygge", have real work/life balance, and care about the environment. Where do I sign up? Seriously, the only thing I could find "wrong" with living in Denmark would be that they don't seem to like animals very much (but they still have strong laws protecting them) and there aren't many vegetarians there. I know the winters are rough, but that's what cozy blankets, candles and Netflix are for! I especially love that they are very trusting of their government and fellow citizens, and that apparently this contributes quite a bit to their happiness. If any Danish people are out there reading this, please let me know if you'd be interested in adopting a Denmark-loving American!
melissakuzma's review against another edition
4.0
Having just returned from a trip to Scandinavia, and being now obsessed with all things Scandinavian, I knew this book was for me. It doesn't surprise me at all that the Danish are the happiest people on earth. They've got it all - socialized medicine, living wages for all workers, paid parental leave, and all the other social safety net goodies we are so sorely lacking in the US. Danish people love to drink, spend time with friends and family, be "hygge", have real work/life balance, and care about the environment. Where do I sign up? Seriously, the only thing I could find "wrong" with living in Denmark would be that they don't seem to like animals very much (but they still have strong laws protecting them) and there aren't many vegetarians there. I know the winters are rough, but that's what cozy blankets, candles and Netflix are for! I especially love that they are very trusting of their government and fellow citizens, and that apparently this contributes quite a bit to their happiness. If any Danish people are out there reading this, please let me know if you'd be interested in adopting a Denmark-loving American!
mollyangstman's review against another edition
Easy and entertaining and informative
krgreen's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read. In a similar vein to 'The Happiness Project' and 'Eat, Pray, Love,' this book focuses on a woman's journey to find a better life.
Many of the concepts are not new - being in nature, time spent with family, self-care, a clean environment and exercise are commonly recommended for good mental health. But Helen also investigates the 'hygge' feeling from burning candles, the trust in others when everyone is seen as cared for by the state, eating seasonally and the importance of belonging to clubs.
She shares a lot of research from Danish scholars in various fields, all in the midst of her own journal-like reflections of how dark and lonely the country can be in the winter. I found the mix compelling, pleasing my inner statistics nerd as much as my experience of friends and family with mental health problems.
I would have liked a little more about how the principles she has researched could perhaps be applied to other cultures, although there is a top ten list at the end. Definitely worth reading.
Many of the concepts are not new - being in nature, time spent with family, self-care, a clean environment and exercise are commonly recommended for good mental health. But Helen also investigates the 'hygge' feeling from burning candles, the trust in others when everyone is seen as cared for by the state, eating seasonally and the importance of belonging to clubs.
She shares a lot of research from Danish scholars in various fields, all in the midst of her own journal-like reflections of how dark and lonely the country can be in the winter. I found the mix compelling, pleasing my inner statistics nerd as much as my experience of friends and family with mental health problems.
I would have liked a little more about how the principles she has researched could perhaps be applied to other cultures, although there is a top ten list at the end. Definitely worth reading.
mximlay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0