“Sisu” is a concept and way of life that has been intertwined with Finnish culture for more than 500 years.

It does not have an exact translation in our language, but its meaning focuses on determination and fortitude. It’s about having the strength to keep trying against all odds, even when it seems impossible to succeed.

For six years in a row, Finland has been ranked as the No. 1 happiest country in the world.

Having lived most of her life there, E. Elisabet Lahti, believes that sisu plays an important role in their well-being and ability to maintain such a positive and resilient mindset.

As a psychology major, she has dedicated her career to teaching people how to incorporate sisu into their lives.

Here are her best tips:

1. Find a purpose that isn’t just about yourself
According to research by psychologist Angela Duckworth, we can endure much more when we work for something that contributes to a better world and is not just about us.

To gather data on sisu for her doctoral studies, Lahti undertook a marathon campaign in New Zealand. She dedicated her career to raising awareness about domestic violence. Whenever she began to feel exhausted or on the verge of giving up, this larger purpose helped her move forward.

When you take on a new challenge or need the strength to keep going, find a greater purpose for it. It could be your family or friends, or someone who inspires you, or a cause that is close to you.

2. Increase resilience through training
Leading up to the marathon, Lahti trained almost every day for two years. As he says, he tied his running shoes even when he didn’t want to. Always go, rain or shine.

Practice and preparation make it easier to tap into our inner sisu.

Studies show that our bodies have hidden reserves that they draw on when we need them most. So the more we challenge ourselves, the more we adopt habits that build our resilience.

Focusing on her breathing to calm her nervous system was the strategy that improved her running. Over time, from beginners he improved significantly and managed to run the marathon.

3. Be kind to yourself and connect with nature
Lahti tells CNBC that she used to believe that in order to succeed, she had to be hard on herself. But there’s a limit to how far you can go if you don’t balance cruelty with compassion.

She was injured once during her training season. He ran for 12 days straight and that’s when he had to decide whether to give up or keep trying.

But she decided to choose the third option, to let her body heal. She chose to incorporate cycling into her routine, so as not to stop training completely.

Although her progress was not the same as what she would have had she continued to run, she gained something else: She was able to appreciate the beauty of the landscape around her.

In Finland, walking and hiking in nature is a key part of the culture. It helps residents cultivate an inner peace that accompanies them through difficult times.

moneyreview.gr with information from CNBC