The health benefits of the Swedish lifestyle
The Swedish lifestyle is often described as modern and progressive. Yet some long-loved traditions have been key to creating a society based on balance and belonging.
Last updated 16 September 2025
Kallbadhuset Varberg
Kallbadhuset Varberg was built in 1903. Here you can take a sauna and a dip in the sea whether it's summer or winter.
Photo credit: Anna Hållams/imagebank.sweden.se
Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s best countries for quality of life, sustainability, safety, happiness, and more. So, what’s the secret? While there’s no single answer, the Swedish lifestyle – with its strong emphasis on work-life balance – is often highlighted. Below are three simple ways to embrace the Swedish way of life.
3 Swedish habits that can help balance your everyday life
Winter fika
In Sweden, winter is a season of magic, with snowy forests and frozen lakes offering endless opportunities for skiing, skating, and peaceful strolls.
Photo: Hilla Aspman/imagebank.sweden.se
Fika: The social break
‘Fika’ might be the Swedes' most beloved ritual. It can happen at any time of the day and is a chance to take a real break. Put your phone away, enjoy a cup of coffee with something small to eat, and spend time with friends or colleagues. Reducing smartphone use can improve your mental health and focus, and regular participation in social rituals strengthens your sense of belonging and helps protect against emotional distress.
Summer in Sweden
A peaceful moment by the water – capturing the Swedish spirit of 'lagom' balance and simplicity.
Photo: Tina Axelsson/imagebank.sweden.se
‘Lagom’: The way to balanced living
‘Lagom’, the concept of “just the right amount”, permeates everyday life in Sweden. It’s a compass for balance in everything from consumption to relationships and work. Instead of overdoing things or chasing after more, ‘lagom’ is about finding joy in enough. A lifestyle based on this mindset is associated with better emotional regulation and a reduced risk of burnout.
Cold bath at Arctic Bath
Immerse yourself in the Swedish sauna tradition at Arctic Bath, Sweden, where a dip in icy waters meets contemporary design under the starry skies of Swedish Lapland.
Photo: Daniel Holmgren/Arctic Bath
Sauna and cold dips: A rejuvenating ritual
Sauna bathing has a long tradition in Scandinavia. In Sweden, it’s often combined with a refreshing dip in one of the many scenic cold bath houses along the coast, all year round. Swedish sauna culture is relaxed and unpretentious, providing a space for quiet reflection. Sauna bathing offers several health benefits, including better sleep quality and a significantly lower risk of dementia.
These small but meaningful routines are part of life in Sweden, but they’re well worth trying wherever you are.