ESPOO MAGAZINE 2/2018

Finns have proven to be the
happiest nation in the world.
And Espoo is home to the
healthiest people in Finland,
at least when comparing large cities.
“Especially in international comparison,
the starting point is at a
very high level.”
Juha Metso, Head of Social and
Health Services in Espoo, likes to
talk about health, well-being and
happiness as things that are possible
even in dreary everyday life.
“Well-being is not something extraordinary,
but just normal daily
life. The most important thing is that
we learn to look at the landscape of
everyday life with new eyes.”
It has been known for a long time
that health, well-being and happiness
are associated with lifestyle:
smoking, nutrition, exercise, substance
abuse and, in general, things
about which information is readily
available. But new research suggests
that close relationships, affection
and love are even more important
than lifestyle.
“Who can influence my lifestyle
and relationships the most? I myself,
of course. Well-being starts from
taking the driver’s seat in your own
life. And that is why a new kind of attitude
is needed in addition to traditional
health education and instruction”,
Metso says.
FIVE WAYS TO LIVE BETTER AND
LONGER. Espoo wants to be the most
sustainable city in Europe economically,
ecologically, socially and culturally.
“Social and cultural sustainability
are based on health, well-being and
happiness”, says the Head of Social
and Health Services.
The aim is to also strengthen the
opportunities of Espoo residents to ›
Are you in the driver’s seat in your own life? In a healthy
Espoo, everyone has this opportunity. The focus of the
Healthy Espoo programme is mental well-being.
DRIVER
OF YOUR
OWN LIFE
Text Juha Peltonen
Illustration Susanna Tuononen
Photos Timo Porthan
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