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Modern life is complicated. You have half a mind that you should be mindful but you don’t have time for navel-gazing. You work out several times a week but you invariably miss Saturday yoga because Friday night didn’t end until 6am. You want to eat clean — but it’s December, and you’re hungover.

Ultimately, extremism is the route to failure: try to do it all and you’ll end up doing nothing. Especially during the frosty, festive period when you are cold and it’s dark, and you are yet to find the New Year’s resolve. And even then you doubt your strength: dry January is difficult because it’s so wet outside. The solution is to compromise. You need to live like a Finn.

The Finnish lifestyle is simple, not extreme. It’s not about deprivation and hill sprints at dawn, it is about straightforward, stripped-down living. And it works — the Finns calmly overachieve. Finnish quality of life was voted the best in Europe, according to figures released by Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Commission, and according to the World Economic Forum, Finland has the best “human capital index” of the 130 countries it measured — which means its people are the most fulfilled in the world. We came 19th.

What are they doing so right? For a start, they eat well. Finnish cuisine focuses on fresh fish, vegetables and rye. Finnish rye bread comprises four Finngredients: water, leaven, salt and rye flour — so there are no additives to throw you off. Farmers grow wild berries and fisherman catch fresh herring off the country’s coasts.

Accordingly, a study by scientists from the University of Eastern Finland found that a diet of fish, vegetables, whole grains and berries could be more beneficial than the much-vaunted Mediterranean diet often favoured by Europeans.

Obviously theirs is a fortunate landscape for growing natural produce: the Gulf Stream brings warmth but has no effect on light — in winter, days can last as little as five hours — which creates short but exceptional growing conditions. We could not simulate the conditions here — therefore aping a Finnish diet requires more imagination. Certainly, switch Hovis for rye, and salmon for herring (but remember to carry chewing gum). Alternatively, start snacking on Arctic Superfoods: a collection of pure, natural snack bars using only ingredients grown in this extraordinary landscape. The lingonberry, cranberry and nettle bar is unexpectedly sweet, considering it is additive-, gluten- and dairy-free. Other flavours include sea buckthorn and spruce sprout, and wild blueberry and birch leaf, which one taster described as “better than a Kit Kat”. It was reportedly sufficiently filling to preclude mid-morning hunger pangs.

Finland - in pictures 18 show all Finland - in pictures 1/18 1.SUMMER COTTAGE CULTURE Do it like the Finns and delve into ‘summer cottage culture’ by renting a little cabin on one of its thousands of lakes. You’ll experience the utmost peace and quiet, whiling away your days kayaking over the still waters, swimming and fishing for your supper. Finland’s epic coastline is also home to an enviable archipelago of more than 70,000 islands, a third of which are large enough for summer cottages or have old lighthouses converted into miniature B&Bs. Finland’s epic coastline is also home to an enviable archipelago of more than 70,000 islands, a third of which are large enough for summer cottages or have old lighthouses converted into miniature B&Bs. Visit Finland 2/18 Sailing is a popular summer pastime in Finland Visit Finland 3/18 2. LAKES Finland is known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes ‘ and rightly so – it has more than 188,000. These are concentrated in the central part of the country, known as Lakeland, and the largest is called Lake Saimaa. Perched on its shore is the Järvisydän spa hotel, which is opening a new wellness concept with saunas and natural rock pools. Visit Finland 4/18 You'll be amazed at the peace and quiet of Lakeland Visit Finland 5/18 3. SAUNAS Finns are the undisputed sauna champions of the world, with a whopping 3 million saunas in total, more per capital than anywhere else. Sauna culture is about relaxing and cleansing both body and mind. Here, they are a necessity not a luxury so take your clothes off and get involved. Visit Finland 6/18 4. FORESTS As well as copious lakes and islands, Finland is also covered head to toe in magnificent forests. In fact, 70 per cent of its land mass is forest, making it one of Europe’s last proper wildernesses. The Finns say ‘jokamiehenoikeus’ which meams ‘freedom to roam’ – you can walk everywhere and forage for mushrooms, berries and the freshest air imaginable. Its forests are also home to around 1,500 bears –you can camp out by night and see them – and wolves with any luck as well. Its forests are also home to around 1,500 bears –you can camp out by night and see them – and wolves with any luck as well. Alamy 7/18 A bear roaming the Finnish forest Visit Finland 8/18 Take advantage of the Finns' ‘freedom to roam’ philosophy Alamy 9/18 5. NORTHERN LIGHTS The northern region of Finland known as Lapland, is not just the home of Santa Claus. It's also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights from. During their winter, the Aurora Borealis appear on more than 200 nights a year – almost every winter night. Alamy 10/18 6. DYNAMIC CUISINE Finland has a very creative food scene with initiatives such as ‘Restaurant Day’ in Helsinki in August. This is a feast to remember where anyone can set up a restaurant, stall or bar, anywhere they want and the city transforms into a giant outdoor banquet. August is also the month to join the locals in devouring thousands of delicious crayfish, which are toasted with aquavit and traditional singing. Or head to the countryside for a foraging tour and learn Finnish cooking techniques. The coffee scene is also strong in Finland - perhaps down to the long, cold winters - so prepare to find endless, stylish cafes. The coffee scene is also strong in Finland - perhaps down to the long, cold winters - so prepare to find endless, stylish cafes. Visit Finland 11/18 You can forage freely for berries among other things Visit Finland 12/18 7. HELSINKI Amazing architechture, stylish hotels and hip hangout and cool shops, Helsinki should be on your city break radar. New to the hotel scene are: boutique offering Lilla Roberts, a former power plant with nods to Art Deco design; and Hotel F6, designed by renowned architect Jaakko Puro. Its restaurant scene is also thriving - places not to miss include the lively Bronda from Helsinki's culinary duo Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, and sunny brunch spot Southpark. New to the hotel scene are: boutique offering Lilla Roberts, a former power plant with nods to Art Deco design; and Hotel F6, designed by renowned architect Jaakko Puro. Its restaurant scene is also thriving - places not to miss include the lively Bronda from Helsinki's culinary duo Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, and sunny brunch spot Southpark. For those visiting in summer, Helsinki has 100km of coast and 300 islands, packed with restaurants, to explore For those visiting in summer, Helsinki has 100km of coast and 300 islands, packed with restaurants, to explore Alamy 13/18 Hotel Lillia Roberts in Helsinki is a design haven 14/18 Southpark restaurant, a great spot for brunch in Helsinki 15/18 Helsinki in the snow Alamy 16/18 8. MIDNIGHT SUN If you like to stay up all night, you'll be right at home in the Finnish summer, where for two months the sun never sets. Soak it up from your lakeside cabin, one of the many festivals - try the Midnight Sun Film Festival - or vibrant Helsinki, which comes alive with alfresco food markets and activities. Visit Finland 17/18 9. THE DESIGN From the moment you step off the plane, you'll be surrounded by timeless Finnish design - which is more a way of living than a piece of furniture. Make sure you check out the bold colours of textile designer Marimekko, Iittala glassware and architectural icon Alvar Aalto's stools - all iconic Finnish designs. Visit Finland 18/18 10.SKIING Forget the Alps, Finland has a six month long skiing season, from late October to May. During the darkest days, the slopes are lit – making for a very atmospheric run down. There are 75 ski resorts in the country, but the big ones lie in the fells of Lapland and include Ylläs, which has more than 330km of tracks. You’ll find everything from cross country to downhill to kids slopes – and it’s far more relaxed than the likes of Val d’Isere and Meribel. Make sure you gulp lungfuls of the mountain air as you whizz done, Finland has some of the cleanest in Europe. Visit Finland 1/18 1.SUMMER COTTAGE CULTURE Do it like the Finns and delve into ‘summer cottage culture’ by renting a little cabin on one of its thousands of lakes. You’ll experience the utmost peace and quiet, whiling away your days kayaking over the still waters, swimming and fishing for your supper. Finland’s epic coastline is also home to an enviable archipelago of more than 70,000 islands, a third of which are large enough for summer cottages or have old lighthouses converted into miniature B&Bs. Finland’s epic coastline is also home to an enviable archipelago of more than 70,000 islands, a third of which are large enough for summer cottages or have old lighthouses converted into miniature B&Bs. Visit Finland 2/18 Sailing is a popular summer pastime in Finland Visit Finland 3/18 2. LAKES Finland is known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes ‘ and rightly so – it has more than 188,000. These are concentrated in the central part of the country, known as Lakeland, and the largest is called Lake Saimaa. Perched on its shore is the Järvisydän spa hotel, which is opening a new wellness concept with saunas and natural rock pools. Visit Finland 4/18 You'll be amazed at the peace and quiet of Lakeland Visit Finland 5/18 3. SAUNAS Finns are the undisputed sauna champions of the world, with a whopping 3 million saunas in total, more per capital than anywhere else. Sauna culture is about relaxing and cleansing both body and mind. Here, they are a necessity not a luxury so take your clothes off and get involved. Visit Finland 6/18 4. FORESTS As well as copious lakes and islands, Finland is also covered head to toe in magnificent forests. In fact, 70 per cent of its land mass is forest, making it one of Europe’s last proper wildernesses. The Finns say ‘jokamiehenoikeus’ which meams ‘freedom to roam’ – you can walk everywhere and forage for mushrooms, berries and the freshest air imaginable. Its forests are also home to around 1,500 bears –you can camp out by night and see them – and wolves with any luck as well. Its forests are also home to around 1,500 bears –you can camp out by night and see them – and wolves with any luck as well. Alamy 7/18 A bear roaming the Finnish forest Visit Finland 8/18 Take advantage of the Finns' ‘freedom to roam’ philosophy Alamy 9/18 5. NORTHERN LIGHTS The northern region of Finland known as Lapland, is not just the home of Santa Claus. It's also one of the best places to see the Northern Lights from. During their winter, the Aurora Borealis appear on more than 200 nights a year – almost every winter night. Alamy 10/18 6. DYNAMIC CUISINE Finland has a very creative food scene with initiatives such as ‘Restaurant Day’ in Helsinki in August. This is a feast to remember where anyone can set up a restaurant, stall or bar, anywhere they want and the city transforms into a giant outdoor banquet. August is also the month to join the locals in devouring thousands of delicious crayfish, which are toasted with aquavit and traditional singing. Or head to the countryside for a foraging tour and learn Finnish cooking techniques. The coffee scene is also strong in Finland - perhaps down to the long, cold winters - so prepare to find endless, stylish cafes. The coffee scene is also strong in Finland - perhaps down to the long, cold winters - so prepare to find endless, stylish cafes. Visit Finland 11/18 You can forage freely for berries among other things Visit Finland 12/18 7. HELSINKI Amazing architechture, stylish hotels and hip hangout and cool shops, Helsinki should be on your city break radar. New to the hotel scene are: boutique offering Lilla Roberts, a former power plant with nods to Art Deco design; and Hotel F6, designed by renowned architect Jaakko Puro. Its restaurant scene is also thriving - places not to miss include the lively Bronda from Helsinki's culinary duo Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, and sunny brunch spot Southpark. New to the hotel scene are: boutique offering Lilla Roberts, a former power plant with nods to Art Deco design; and Hotel F6, designed by renowned architect Jaakko Puro. Its restaurant scene is also thriving - places not to miss include the lively Bronda from Helsinki's culinary duo Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg, and sunny brunch spot Southpark. For those visiting in summer, Helsinki has 100km of coast and 300 islands, packed with restaurants, to explore For those visiting in summer, Helsinki has 100km of coast and 300 islands, packed with restaurants, to explore Alamy 13/18 Hotel Lillia Roberts in Helsinki is a design haven 14/18 Southpark restaurant, a great spot for brunch in Helsinki 15/18 Helsinki in the snow Alamy 16/18 8. MIDNIGHT SUN If you like to stay up all night, you'll be right at home in the Finnish summer, where for two months the sun never sets. Soak it up from your lakeside cabin, one of the many festivals - try the Midnight Sun Film Festival - or vibrant Helsinki, which comes alive with alfresco food markets and activities. Visit Finland 17/18 9. THE DESIGN From the moment you step off the plane, you'll be surrounded by timeless Finnish design - which is more a way of living than a piece of furniture. Make sure you check out the bold colours of textile designer Marimekko, Iittala glassware and architectural icon Alvar Aalto's stools - all iconic Finnish designs. Visit Finland 18/18 10.SKIING Forget the Alps, Finland has a six month long skiing season, from late October to May. During the darkest days, the slopes are lit – making for a very atmospheric run down. There are 75 ski resorts in the country, but the big ones lie in the fells of Lapland and include Ylläs, which has more than 330km of tracks. You’ll find everything from cross country to downhill to kids slopes – and it’s far more relaxed than the likes of Val d’Isere and Meribel. Make sure you gulp lungfuls of the mountain air as you whizz done, Finland has some of the cleanest in Europe. Visit Finland

Finns are bright-eyed and clear-skinned — which is, presumably, partly due to the diet and their environmental credentials (90 per cent of cans and bottles in Finland are recycled) and partly a result of their commitment to saunas. Helsinki’s waterfront is lined with them, and earlier this year a resourceful team bought the world’s largest sauna in the grounds of Aalto University. The 310-square-metre sauna was built in five days; they do not procrastinate. Commit yourself to regular saunas — a neat excuse to leap off the treadmill five minutes early.

“The whole ethos of clean living and pureness ties in with nature and being close to it,” explains an expat Finn in London, Laura Hinttula. “In Finland, whether you’re in a city or a village, you’re never far away from nature. Having four distinctive seasons also plays a big part as each season offers different possibilities. Depending on the season and what part of the country you’re in, forests are packed with wild food, the real organic superfood, such as lingonberries, buckthorn, cloudberries, blueberries, raspberries, mushrooms and birch water.”

She recommends wild swimming and ice skating as ways to work out like a Finn. “Added to this, there’s something so primitive yet liberating when you light a fire in the sauna and sit in the 80-degree heat naked, batting yourself with a birch leaf bundle, followed either by a dip in the lake in the summer or a roll in the snow in winter.”

Furthermore, phase out complicated beauty formulations in favour of simple, micellar cleansers — Garnier’s cleansing water is highly recommended — or just straightforward soap and water. Use the cold tap — it’ll bring out the blush in your cheeks. Better yet, holistic Finnish beauty brand Supermood is launching in the UK in January, and Lumene is a celebrated skincare brand, stocked in some branches of Boots. Its products are created using Arctic spring water and ingredients grown in the tundra.

Real clear beauty is about pursuing the Finn-er things in life.

Follow Phoebe Luckhurst on Twitter: @phoebeluckhurst