Visit Finland is inviting people from around the world, including Greater China to experience how the Finns live in true harmony with nature through their new initiative, Rent a Finn.
Rent A Finn – Happiness Guides
This summer, Finnish citizens will work as happiness guides and welcome visitors into their homes, showing them how to connect with nature and understand the Finnish art of relaxation. Chinese travellers are being especially welcomed to apply. Since the publishing of Finnish Nightmares by Karoliina Korhonen featuring Matti, a “typical Finn” who prefers minimal contact and appreciates his personal space. Many Chinese have felt connected to the typical Finnish persona, so much so that “Jingfen” was coined as a new term meaning “spiritually Finnish”, to describe a person that feels an affinity to typical Finnish introversion.
Now, with the Rent a Finn initiative, Jingfen will have an opportunity to meet their counterparts in Finland for truly local Finnish experiences.
The application period for guests is open until April 21, 2019.
Studies show that nature can balance our minds and alleviate stress. Even a short walk in nature lowers your blood pressure and pulse while boosting endorphin levels. On March, 20, 2019, Finland was named the happiest nation on earth for the second consecutive year in the UN’s World Happiness Report 2019.
Heli Jimenez, Senior Director, International Marketing, Business Finland,said: “Many travellers choose to visit Finland because of our uniquely peaceful nature and tranquility. The Rent a Finn campaign is in response to the global travel trend of living like a local, which is all about sharing genuine experiences with ordinary people.
“Pure nature is a part of life in Finland. We go outdoors in any weather, let our babies nap outside and spend a great deal of time in nature in general. Our happiness guides all share a certain awareness, a great love of nature and an appreciation for slow living.”
The Rent a Finn initiative has initially enlisted eight ordinary Finns to work as happiness guides for travellers. The guides, who were chosen from among hundreds of applicants, will welcome visitors for a few days and show them their own ways of relieving stress in nature.
Linda Raiha, one of the happiness guides, explains, “Time runs differently on our island. It seems to slow down somehow, and there is never a need for hurry.”
“There are many ways to connect with nature from working in your vegetable patch, boating, fishing, heating up the sauna or foraging for mushrooms and berries in the forest.”
The visits will take place during summer 2019 and will be free of charge for travellers.
The Rent a Finn initiative is being assisted by Hintsa Performance, a Finnish high-performance coaching company, who believes sustainable performance is created through a balanced lifestyle. Their methods of boosting human performance have been tested in organisations around the world, and their clients range from Fortune 500 leaders to Formula One World Champions.
The Rent a Finn website includes a test based on Hintsa’s methods. It helps you to see how balanced your life really is and offers advice for reducing stress and maintaining your mental wellbeing.
Annastiina Hintsa, Chief Operating Officer from Hintsa Performance, said, “Our modern life is full of stimuli, and unwinding can be a challenge. Spending time in nature helps you reset and recover. Seeing where you stand is the first step towards reducing stress and creating long-term performance”.
You can apply for a visit with a Finnish happiness guide now at rentafinn.com and for more information on Finland see visitfinland.com
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