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This January I had a lovely start to the year attending a wedding in Liverpool. I met lots of lovely people, one of whom was Finnish. As we spoke what struck me was how calmly he spoke about life. It reminded me of my conversations with an old university friend who had moved to the UK from Helsinki; that same sense of calm. I also started to think about my stepdaughter’s fascination with Sweden.
It started with her love of a Swedish musician called Omar, but she is now learning the language and is visiting in March. On our recent weekend trip to Ikea (so she could enjoy the Swedish meatballs!) we got talking about why she likes the country so much. She is only thirteen, however it is the calmness and way of life that she has learned about that interests her.
This made me reflect on the importance of staying calm for general well-being. In contrast, January in the UK usually feels pressured, heavy and energy-sapping. And it raised an interesting question, why do Nordic countries, which face harsher winters than we do, often appear calmer and more balanced? What can we learn from this for our own wellbeing?
Calm Isn’t Comfort, It’s Culture
Nordics aren’t naturally calmer people. Calm is reinforced through culture, environment, habits and shared values. Mindfulness is built into everyday life, not as a trend or a tool, but as a way of living.
Homes, workplaces and public spaces are intentionally designed to feel peaceful and uncluttered. There is an understanding that calmer environments encourage calmer behaviour. There is also a strong cultural norm of not making a fuss. Low-drama behaviour is valued. Emotional restraint, understatement and quiet competence are respected more than urgency or excess reaction.
When this becomes the norm, pressure reduces naturally.
Living in Rhythm, Not Resistance
Long walks, outdoor time and seasonal rhythms are woven into Nordic life. Nature is treated almost as a mental reset button, a place to clear the head and regain perspective. Even in winter, people adapt their pace rather than fighting the season.
In the UK, we often expect ourselves, and our teams, to operate at full speed all year round. We resist seasonal change instead of adjusting to it, which can make January feel particularly draining.
Hygge, Lagom and Balance Over Intensity
Two well-known Nordic philosophies help explain this mindset.
Hygge focuses on warmth, comfort and connection, especially during darker months. It reminds us that people do their best work when they feel supported and comfortable, not when they are constantly under pressure.
Lagom, meaning “just the right amount”, is about balance over excess. It encourages sustainable workloads, realistic expectations and long-term thinking. Lagom challenges the idea that intensity equals success and instead promotes steady, consistent progress.
For business owners, this way of thinking is especially relevant.
Simplicity Reduces Stress, in Business Too
Minimalism plays a big role in Nordic culture. Fewer distractions, clearer priorities and simpler routines reduce mental load. In business, simplicity often leads to better decision-making, clearer communication and less unnecessary stress.
As advisers, we regularly see how complexity creeps in, processes multiply, expectations rise and pressure builds. Often, simplifying how things are done has a greater impact on wellbeing than any single initiative.
Looking After People is Good Business
At James Todd & Co, we believe that calm, supported teams do better work, for clients and for each other. That’s why we focus on practical, everyday ways to support wellbeing, particularly during demanding periods.
Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. The daily ginger shots we are giving our team in January are a simple example, a tangible reminder that health and wellbeing are part of our culture, not an afterthought. They symbolise a wider commitment to balance, routine and care.
We encourage our clients to think in the same way. Supporting your team doesn’t have to be complicated or costly, but it does need to be intentional.
Security Supports Calm
It’s widely documented that Nordic countries benefit from high levels of trust and strong social safety nets. When people feel secure, they tend to behave more calmly. There is less background anxiety and less need to operate in constant survival mode.
While we can’t influence government systems, we can create clarity and consistency within our businesses, reducing uncertainty for both teams and clients.
A Calmer Way Forward
Calm isn’t about easier conditions. It’s about how environments, habits and expectations are designed.
As accountants and advisers, our role goes beyond the numbers. We support businesses to grow sustainably and that includes helping leaders think about how they look after their people and themselves.
January is often when pressure is most visible for business owners. The combination of a new year, post-Christmas reality and the need to set direction can feel particularly demanding. This is what makes January the ideal moment to pause, simplify and take a more structured approach. For many businesses, it’s the best time to:
- Simplify goals and focus on what will genuinely move the business forward
- Set a realistic, sustainable pace for the year ahead
- Put structures in place that support both performance and team wellbeing
- Review forward-looking management accounts, not just historic results
- Forecast cash flow and remove uncertainty before pressure builds
Much like the Nordic approach to winter, January doesn’t need more intensity, it benefits from clarity, balance and thoughtful planning. With the right advisory support from James Todd & Co, it can become a calmer, more focused starting point for a successful year rather than something to simply push through. Get in touch to discuss how we can support your business in the year ahead.