BUILDING UP SISU, A NORDIC CULTURAL CONSTRUCT FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH AND HARMONY

Abstract

The Finnish concept of sisu is a phenomenon in Nordic culture that has existed for 500 years in the Finnish nation. This cultural construct, a kind of lifestyle, a kind of ideology of life, enables the development of a persevering, balanced, enduring, resilient, healthy and harmonious personality. The sisu phenomenon inspires one to persevere, and to fight for success despite difficulties, even when it seems that the limits of human power have already been reached. The Nordic cultural construct of sisu has been linked with mental toughness and resilience, and good physical and mental health. There are elements that help to develop sisu in the individual and in society. They include the mindfulness of nature, physical activity, positivity, relaxation and recreation, withdrawal and stepping back, task fragmentation, leaving the comfort zone, and reward for completing a task. All of these are important elements for developing perseverance and inner strength, or sisu.