Swedish secret to

Swedes are among the happiest, healthiest people. One reason: They follow a lagom lifestyle. Lagom (Swedish for 'just the right amount') helps them find balance by not doing too much or too little. Here's how to tap into the benefits!

A coffee break with friends helps your heart!

A key part of the lagom lifestyle is fika, or catching up with friends over coffee. And following this custom protects the heart. A U.K. study shows that, compared to people who rarely connect with friends, those who regularly spend time with their besties have a 29% lower risk of heart disease and a 32% lower risk of stroke. Feeling cared for reduces stress, easing pressure on the heart and arteries.

Boost joy by knitting

It's easy to get lost in chores, so Swedes carve out time for fun. "Leisure activities are a very important aspect of everyday life in Sweden," says Joakim Andersson, founder of SayItInSwedish.com. Now, UCLA scientists say there's a great reason for you to make time every day for knitting, pickleball and other pastimes: It increases positivity! They found that people who set aside 2 to 5 hours a day to enjoy favorite hobbies are happier than those who don't fit in as much fun. Favorite hobbies help you let off steam and avoid burnout, so you're more satisfied.

OR WATCH TV! Block out thoughts of tasks you "should" be doing when enjoying an indulgent activity (such as watching TV) and you'll be happier, say Swiss scientists. Giving yourself permission to take a break from to-do's allows you to fully enjoy yourself.

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