A woman says spending a week in a European city considered “the happiest in the world” has changed her life. Leila Najafi has pledged to embrace a more active and optimistic approach to life following her eye-opening journey, marking a dramatic shift from her previous lifestyle. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark’s, consistently tops global rankings for resident satisfaction and overall wellbeing. Similar to Amsterdam, the city sees residents navigating the streets on bikes rather than cars that congest the roads. Additionally, the city boasts exceptional walkability alongside a genuine community spirit.
And American Leila says what she witnessed firsthand inspired her to adopt similar principles after returning to the United States. She revealed undertaking a solo adventure to the Danish capital spanning one week. During her stay, she confessed to becoming enchanted with the more energetic way of life and how residents capitalise on the city’s thriving tourism industry. Describing her newfound passion for cycling, Leila expressed astonishment at discovering more bikes than cars on the roads, noting her bewilderment at witnessing “swarms of cyclists in business attire” commuting to their workplaces.
She was equally struck by the extensive network of pedestrian-only zones threading throughout the capital. Throughout her journey, Leila revealed that she managed to achieve a minimum of 10,000 steps daily – a remarkable accomplishment for someone accustomed to Los Angeles living, where a car is essential for virtually every destination.
However, since her return to America, Leila has chosen to transform her lifestyle to mirror that of the Danes, explaining to Business Insider: “Since I returned, I’ve begun making a conscious effort to walk or bike for errands or coffee runs whenever possible.”
She was also astounded by the nation’s culinary offerings, which depend far more heavily on fresh, local produce and an emphasis on seafood, in contrast to the standard burgers and chips typically available in the US.
Consequently, she now actively prepares meals using fresh and local ingredients sourced from her neighbourhood farmers market each week. It wasn’t merely the cuisine, but the broader Nordic culture that caught Leila off guard, as she was astonished to discover the wealth of saunas throughout the city.
Saunas provide an excellent opportunity for communal gatherings among locals, while delivering numerous health advantages including enhanced blood circulation and muscle relief.
Reflecting on her sauna experiences in Copenhagen, Leila observed: “I enjoyed experiencing varying warm temperatures of saunas and thermal baths, and even tried a cold plunge during my trip – though I didn’t last long.”
Copenhagen, a city renowned for its sustainability efforts, is making strides in reducing its carbon footprint through extensive recycling initiatives. The cityscape is dotted with multi-purpose buildings, including a waste disposal plant that doubles as a ski slope.
The most significant change she made was adopting a minimalist lifestyle, aligning with the Danish mindset and starkly contrasting the “excessive” American way of life. She confessed to being inspired by the city’s cleanliness and sought to incorporate this into her own life upon returning home.
“I left truly believing this emphasis on intentional living can help people develop a deep sense of contentment and gratitude while fostering a higher quality of life,” she explained. “When I returned from my trip, I decluttered as much as I could, keeping only things I had used within the last six months and donating almost everything else.”