Long before the Swedish concept of lagom—the pursuit of optimal balance—swept across the globe, storytellers and cultural commentators were already unpacking the rich, multifaceted mindset that defines Nordic wellness and lifestyle. For years, observers of global culture have watched the embers of Scandinavian and Nordic traditions slowly catch fire, eventually blazing into international movements that capture the imagination of stressed populations worldwide. From Swedish massages and Finnish saunas to a broader cultural fascination with the clean air and balanced living of the far north, the region has long been synonymous with holistic wellbeing.
While Denmark famously introduced the world to hygge (the art of intentional presence and coziness), Norway contributed friluftsliv (open-air living), and Finland gave us sisu (deep-seated grit and resilience), Iceland birthed what modern wellness enthusiasts now term "Viking wellness"—a rigorous cycle of hot thermal baths followed by bracing cold dips. Despite the distinct linguistic nuances and local variations, all Nordic cultures share these foundational values under different names. What makes lifestyle trends from this corner of the world particularly appealing on a global scale is the deeply rooted, egalitarian philosophy upon which they are built.
These wellness movements do not stem from commercialized gym culture or fleeting fitness fads. Instead, they are built on sustainability-focused mindsets, a deliberate return to simplicity designed to curb undue stress, and government-sanctioned frameworks that guarantee free access to nature. Concepts like Allemansrätten in Sweden—the legal right of public access to the countryside—foster a symbiotic relationship with the outdoors. Because these are largely egalitarian societies, this access is universal, designed to benefit everyone from professional athletes in their absolute prime to elders seeking gentle mobility. The ultimate Nordic communal goal is a focus on holistic wellbeing that can be sustained over the long term by every single individual.
The latest Nordic wellness trend to capture international attention, however, has remarkably practical origins. One might naturally wonder how cross-country skiers managed to maintain their peak physical conditioning when winter snow melted away. The answer lies in Nordic walking, a fitness discipline that must not be confused simply with casual hiking using trekking poles.
According to its governing body, the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA), which was founded in 2000, Nordic walking is now practiced in over 40 countries worldwide. It is embraced for health, fitness, recreation, social connection, and even competitive sport. The practice traces its roots back to the 1930s, when competitive cross-country skiers began using ski poles alongside running shoes for summer off-season training. However, it was physical education teacher Leena Jääskeläinen who brought the concept to the general public in 1966, marking the first documented use of ski poles outside of strict competitive athletic training environments.
Aki Karihtala, president of the INWA, recalls adopting the activity decades ago. "I started Nordic walking in 1998 because it is a fun, social, and efficient form of physical activity," shares Karihtala. "It takes people back to nature." At the time, Karihtala headed the sports division at Exel, a Finnish sporting goods company that stands as the world’s largest manufacturer of cross-country ski poles.
It was Karihtala himself, working alongside his team at Exel, who officially coined the term "Nordic walking." The branding and the activity have since been widely adopted across the globe. "Regardless of age, religion, and culture, because there are no boundaries," Karihtala notes, highlighting the remarkable accessibility of the discipline. In 1997, Exel designed the very first dedicated Nordic Walker poles specifically for the activity. Just a year later, over 500,000 Finns—out of a total population of roughly five million at the time—had tried Nordic walking. Experts point out that the activity is especially effective because it engages the entire upper and lower body simultaneously while significantly reducing physical pressure on the knees, thanks to ergonomically designed poles. To ensure proper form, the federation developed its progressive INWA 10 Step Method to teach people the simple technique safely and effectively.
Among the latest converts to the practice is Finnish trend and branding expert Katja Presnal. "I’ve studied trends for over 20 years," shares Presnal, whose personal lifestyle digital platform previously reached over 100,000 monthly readers and millions annually. The distinct irony of Nordic wellness suddenly emerging as the world’s hottest lifestyle trend is not lost on Presnal, who grew up along the Turku archipelago, surrounded by sheltered bays and lush, whispering forests. According to Presnal, after two decades of intense international travel, she eventually stopped "preaching trends" and started "walking the walk." She made the decision to purchase a 100-year-old former dairy tucked away quietly in the Finnish countryside, seeking a slower, more intentional way of life anchored by nature, pristine lakes, and tranquil walking trails.
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"It was about making everyday life a wellness regimen and creating my own 365-day retreat," adds Presnal, noting that these were precisely the types of slow-living wellness experiences her family would seek out in places like Tuscany while traveling. "So I have, in essence, returned to my Nordic wellness roots, which in hindsight was the richness of my childhood."
The low-threshold accessibility of the practice, both from a physical and a financial standpoint, is precisely what makes Nordic walking so appealing right now for newcomers like Presnal. Beyond the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal benefits, another major advantage Presnal highlights is the profound human connectivity the activity fosters.
"People are now discovering Nordic lifestyles," explains Presnal. "You don’t recognize your Nordic way of living as something special that could become a global trend or could be taught and shared with somebody because it’s just a part of who you are." As more individuals around the world look for sustainable ways to integrate movement, mental clarity, and connection with the natural world into their daily routines, this low-impact Finnish ritual offers a compelling pathway forward, proving that the most enduring wellness trends often come down to simply putting one foot in front of the other with a pair of poles in hand.
