What is Lagom?
Lagom is a common term in Sweden that places a modern twist on the ancient idea of “just enough” or “just the right amount.” It’s a holistic core value that’s heavily ingrained in Swedish culture and mindset, meant to describe the sense of knowing when enough is enough and trying to find balance and moderation rather than lusting for more.
For all Swedes, ‘lagom’ is feeling content with what we have and can be used to describe endless feelings, things, and scenarios. And while it may sound simple, it’s often personal and can be difficult to translate exactly what one means to say.
Lagom Through Different Lenses
While ‘lagom’ has an objective meaning, much like any word you’ll find in a dictionary, it is very subjective. Here are some examples of how ‘lagom’ can be used in context:
1. My friend may say something like, “It is ‘lagom’ warm outside” when describing how she is feeling about the weather where she is for her morning walk, where she lives. What does that mean to me? Nothing! And that is because ‘lagom’ is a feeling she’s having in that specific moment to describe a temperature or climate that’s “just right.” But her version of “just right” regarding the weather could be very different from my own preference.
2. Another person can say: “That dinner last night was ‘lagom’ long” when describing the duration of her evening. While that makes sense to her, it doesn’t provide a concrete translation for me. She could go on to say her dinner lasted exactly 2 hours. That extra detail would then provide me some more context as to what ‘lagom’ means to her.
3. A final example could be along the lines of someone telling me their exercise routine is ‘lagom.’ All I know is that the amount of exercise/activity the person is getting on a regular basis works for them.
As you can see, the term can be used to describe quite a bit. From weather to exercise, ‘lagom’ has a way of molding teach and every individual’s own sense of balance. With that said, how can we incorporate more ‘lagom’ thinking into our everyday lives?
How to Live a Lagom Life
If you’re longing to find more balance in your life, the most important part is determining what is just right for you to learn more about yourself. As mentioned before, your version of ‘lagom’ may drastically differ from that of a close friend. Fortunately, there are plenty of areas you can start with.
Move
Exercise is a great way to customize your ‘lagom’ lifestyle and can be incorporated into your everyday life in different ways. ‘Lagom’ movement could be your 30 minute walk to and from work each day. Or, it could be a morning bike ride outside to enjoy nature, catch a breath, and move your body and mind. Don’t worry about comparing yourself to others’ workout regimens as your friends may define ‘lagom’ movement differently from you. Move in a way that’s just right for your body.
Sleep
If you’re not satisfied with your sleep habits and how they’re impacting your day-to-day routine, consider how you can balance your sleep schedule on a weekly basis. Rather than crawling under the sheets around 11PM every night, consider going to bed between 9 -10PM on Mondays and Tuesdays and notice how it impacts your productivity and mood. You could also try incorporating a power nap or meditation into your schedule to get rest in the afternoons so you feel recharged for the rest of the day.
Eating
Looking to balance your eating habits? A lagom version of eating healthier could be to focus on:
What you are eating the most of: For example, if you eat a lot of vegetables, consider which are part of the clean fifteen (ex: onion, cabbage, peas) and the dirty dozen (ex: celery, spinach, pepper) to be cautious of pesticide-prone produce. You can also use this as an opportunity to find the organic versions of what you eat the most of.
When you are eating: For me, lagom eating means not eating late at night. When you eat too late at night, your mouth’s self-cleaning system does not work as hard to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Instead, Try leaving a couple hours between your last meal and your bedtime.
How you are eating: One way to find a balance in how you eat can be to reduce snacking. Rather, try to eat ‘lagom-sized’ meals throughout the day that make you feel full and satisfied, mitigating snacky cravings. This is important for your health because your saliva needs time to balance your oral microbiome after you eat anything
Breathe
When it comes to your breath, finding a ‘lagom’ rhythm or way to breathe can be very helpful for certain situations.
If you are an athlete or exercise regularly, consider how your breathing can enhance your performance. The first step would be to use your nose (over your mouth) for breathing while you exercise. You will likely lower your heart rate in a couple of breaths. To help monitor and improve your overall health, a lagom thing to try is to simply pay more attention to your breath. Are you holding your breath for too long? Do you breathe through your nose or mouth? Take some time to feel your breath.
Overall Lifestyle
Rome wasn’t built in a day––and the same concept applies to establishing a lagom lifestyle. It can take time to find what lagom means to you, especially when navigating a work/life balance.
In Sweden, there’s often a built-in break in the workplace, known as fika. Fika is when you take a moment in the middle of the workday to drink coffee or tea and grab something to eat with coworkers or a friend outside the office. This provides a space to take a breath, enjoy the moment, and focus on something outside of work.
Learn From Your Lagom
Now that you know a little more about ‘lagom,’ consider what it means to you in your day-to-day life. Whether you’re getting just enough sleep, spending the right amount of time with those around you (and for your ‘me-time’), ‘lagom’ is meant to be personalized.
And you don’t have to start with everything all at once. Take small steps. Maybe start with a sleeping habit or two to ensure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. You’ll quickly learn how to be content with your progress rather than thinking you’re not doing enough.