This past year has been a whirlwind, but one theme holds true: I want the next 20 years of my life to be the happiest, regardless of the trials that come my way. Although I do feel an abundance of gratitude and joy for the blessings I experience, with so many of the stresses of being a 21st century woman, I often struggle with happiness amid the demands of my everyday life. I read a blog, recently, that was focused on why Icelandic people are among the happiest people on earth. Indeed, two of the happiest people I have ever known are my Icelandic grandfather, Dan Kristjanson, and my dad, Mark Kristjanson. I decided to do some research, and see what shifts I can make in my life that may better align with my Icelandic DNA, thinking, perhaps, I am pushing too hard against my nature and need to more deeply explore who I was born to be. Here's what I learned about this small but abundant nation of happy people, and shifts I am making to leverage their magic.
1. embrace the wanderlust - focus on experiences, not things
What do every Icelander I have met have in common? They are planning their next trip. It may be a result of our Viking heritage, but the Icelandic people are a curious people. They want to see and experience as many different cultures as possible. Indeed, even my 81 year-old father picked up and moved across the United States last year with one prevailing motivation - he wants to hike and travel more in the West. For most Icelanders, as soon as one trip is over, they are planning and saving for the next one. So why is this so beneficial? There are many studies on the mental and physical benefits of travel. Being in new and unknown environments is extremely stimulating and sometimes challenging. A break from your daily routine can be both relaxing and exhilarating. Forbes has an interesting article on this - truly, this is something the Icelanders have known for centuries.
2. there is beauty all around - take time to immerse in it
Iceland is a country rich in natural resources, but isn't nearly every country? Icelanders take pride in the beautiful land formations, open seas, geothermic features, quaint towns, and some of the prettiest ponies on the planet. They are an active people, and take the time to take in the sites of their own country and communities as well as other lands and cultures. Icelanders are also invested in protecting their environment, and take measures to leverage renewable energy with 70% of the country being powered by geothermal resources. They are intent in conserving the beauty of their country for future generations. I have been blessed to live in some beautiful places: San Diego, Anchorage, Nashville, Charleston, Salt Lake City, and Miami to name just a few. There has been natural beauty in every space. There is a correlation for me of time spent outside and my happiness factor. Wherever you are, bloom where you are planted by taking time to appreciate the natural beauty around you, and take part in protecting it.
3. take pride in who you are - learn about your heritage and its influence in your life
Sense of identity is imperative to all of us, and Icelanders take this seriously. With advances in web tools, genealogy is a growing trend across the world while your typical Icelander yawns at the thought of searching Ancestry.com. Icelandic children still study the old sagas, each of which start with a genealogy, and every quaint church in the countryside has birth, baptism, and marriage records dating back to their inception. I have early memories of my dad sharing with me our pedigree that goes back to Erik the Red and other legendary Norseman and Scandinavian royals. So why is this important? By learning about our ancestry, we achieve greater gratitude for the sacrifices of those who came before us. We also learn more about ourselves, and seek to emulate the best of those who preceded us. Whether your predecessors are renegades or revolutionaries, they have strengths that are manifested in you. Learn about them, and it will enrich your image of who you are. If you know an Icelander, you know someone proud and knowledgeable of their heritage, respectful of their elders, and invested in the generations to come.
4. you are what you eat - your DNA may help you achieve the balance you need
So, a battle for us all, what exactly is healthy eating? There are many theories, but we have all experienced the benefits at one time or another of eating right, and it's difficult to be truly happy without making an effort to be healthy. For me, I have studied this for years. When pondering this several months ago, and wanting to experience more personal vitality, I wondered if eating based on my heritage would have a positive impact on my health. I began a personal study, and did learn that Icelandic people do have a higher average life span than most countries at 83 years. Part of it is due to their active culture, but their diet is distinct, as well. I have abandoned some of my old habits and taken again to eating more skyr, fish, and the farm to table food of the farmers and fisherman of my heritage and I feel fantastic. The Huffington Post has a great read on regional health habits throughout the world that they published in September, 2016. In sifting through all the diet trends, perhaps the right one for you is in the food tradition of your origins.
5. keep it simple - focus on joy and community, eliminate distraction
Because Icelanders love experience over possession, their personal footprint is small. They keep their lives simple, their homes efficient, and community close. When surveyed, one of the reasons why Icelanders are among the happiest people on the planet is their sense of community. Indeed, in a country so small where all or most are related, there is a unique sense of brotherhood, and violent crime is nearly non-existent. Perhaps due to their sense of pride or their commitment to joy, Icelanders are unsentimental and if a situation is no longer benefiting them, the are known to move on. They are quick to eliminate distractions so they can focus on the experiences and people that bring them joy. Each of us balances our time against things that are good, things that are better, and those things that are the absolute best use of our time. Trading off volunteer hours for time spent with our children while they are young, taking a step back in our careers to achieve more personal balance and more thoughtful living, choosing time with our spouse or partner over a work event are all choices before us and nobody can make the right choice for you but you. Eliminate distraction, embrace simplicity, and open up a reservoir of a happier, more thoughtful life.
6. unlock your mind - let a personal culture of life-long learning envelop you
Iceland is one of the most literate countries on the planet with a literacy rate of over 99%. There are more books published per capita than in any other country, and preservation of their language through literacy is important to Icelanders. In fact, due to this commitment to literacy, the Icelandic language is the most akin to the Old Norse language of the Scandinavian settlers. Reading is a part of their national culture. There is a tradition called the Christmas Book Flood where books are exchanged on Christmas Eve, and the family members take their new book to their room and read all night, while drinking warm drinks and eating chocolate. This helps pass the time in anticipation of Christmas morning and the treats the Jolasveinar will leave in their shoes. I cannot remember a day of my life where I have not seen my own father reading, and the zest for learning led my grandfather to be fluent in four languages although only bearing a formal education of today's 6th grader. Truly, a personal culture of life-long learning benefits our personal happiness, longevity, perspective, and fuels our engagement in many curiosities throughout our lifetime.
This may seem strange, but I have often admired the wallflowers. Born determined and strong-minded, I have often longed to be more demure. However, my strength is a part of my heritage, too, and it brings me joy and confidence to know that. With many of the men off at sea, Iceland was one of the first true matriarchal societies. In modern times, Iceland was one of the first western countries to vote in a female president. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir served as the president of Iceland from 1980 to 1996. Being a strong woman is in my DNA and I have learned to love this about myself, as well.
What can your DNA tell you that can unlock shifts in your life to have a more happy and fulfilling life experience? Only you can determine these answers, but I can assure you, the time you spend will yield great returns.