Lifestyle in Sweden

Ah, the famous Swedish lifestyle! It can seem quite mysterious at first, but once you've got acquainted with it, you will definitely enjoy mingling with the relaxed and friendly Swedish people. As long as you remember to take off your shoes'¦

Lagom

The first thing you need to understand about Swedes is their love for lagom. Lagom can be translated as 'moderation' or interpreted as 'the right balance', 'just right'. Indeed, Swedes dislike exaggerating, having things in excess or standing out. Moderation seems to be the key for a balanced and serene lifestyle.

Life and work balance

The Swedish people seem to have found the perfect life and work balance despite the 40 hours working week, thanks to family laws.

For instance, the parental leave allows them to enjoy a total of 480 days over 8 years. You will also come across Swedish families who will move to their traditional cabin on weekends for some leisure time.

Friday and Saturday evenings are highly valued by the Swedes. Families usually go out to the supermarket to buy big packets of candy and pizza, also known as 'fredagsmys'. Alcoholic drinking is also taking place on Fridays and Saturdays, as people will usually go to the state monopoly to buy enough alcohol for the weekend.

Good to know: Fika seems to be an institution on its own. This tradition involves people getting together for a coffee and some kind of dessert like cinnamon or cardamom buns.

In the summertime, to make the most of the Midnight Sun, common local habits include beach barbecues, midnight dips and campfires. In general, the Swedish people are very active and like to spend time with their family and friends, surrounded by lush and soothing nature. They are very conscious of the fact that, according to scientific researches, spending time in a natural environment helps reduce stress, stimulates mental health and lowers blood pressure.

Good to know: Being environmentally conscious and recycling is a big part of the Swedish culture. 99% of household wastes in Sweden are recycled or used to produce electricity. In fact, renewable energy accounts for 51% of the national production.

At home

The Swedes like to relax at home. For that reason, they are very strict about keeping shoes at the entrance, even when they are visiting the homes of friends. Especially in the winter, as winters in Sweden can get quite dark and cold, they are likely to remain cosy at home. Most homes have light furniture and white walls, and candles are very popular once the sun sets. Note that the Swedish are entitled to free light therapy sessions due to the lack of sunlight.

Good to know: In general, the Swedish are used to cold temperatures all year round. Even babies are likely to enjoy their nap outside, bundled up in their covered baby carriage. Your first winter in Sweden may seem challenging, but eventually, your body will acclimate.

Useful links:

Expat.com ' Everyday life in Sweden Forum
Visit Sweden www.visitsweden.com
Sweden Official Portal sweden.se