Carita Harju

Learn the secrets of the happiest country in the world!

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We are thrilled to hear that Finland is the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year, according to the World Happiness Report of 2024!

You can read CNN’s coverage of the latest results here: These are the world’s happiest countries in 2024 | CNN

The report itself can be accessed here: World Happiness Report 2024 | The World Happiness Report

We are not shy to share the secrets of our happiness and well-being with others!
Professor Frank Martela, one of the leading researchers of happiness and meaning in life, has been sharing his insights into the Finnish way of living in numerous articles, lastly in CNBC: Finland psychologist, happiness researcher: Phrases we use every day (cnbc.com)
He is currently writing his next non-fiction title Stop Chasing Happiness about what the Finnish way of accepting life as it is, not making a fuss about what is good or bad in their lives, and not caring about happiness that much, can teach other people.
We now have three English sample chapters for the book!

Download the English materials for Stop Chasing Happiness here!

One of the most important ways for the Finns to boost their physical and mental well-being is the hot and cold contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea.
You can learn more about the Finnish hot and cold method from Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju‘s upcoming non-fiction title The Power of Hot and Cold: From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life, slated to be published in the United Kingdom in November 2024 by Hodder & Stoughton!

Download the English materials for The Power of Hot and Cold here!

 

Stop Chasing Happiness

Frank Martela

Want to be happier? Stop searching for happiness. Obsessing about happiness is, paradoxically, one of the key obstacles for a happier life. For seven years in a row, Finland has been the world’s happiest country and the wisdom emerging from this land of darkness and heavy metal teaches you to stop caring about happiness, about what others think, and about what happens next. This liberates you to take life as it is.

In this book, Finland’s leading happiness expert offers straight-talking life advice on why finding happiness is not about learning new things – it is more about unlearning patterns of thinking holding you back. Combining ancient wisdom with latest research and mixing it all together with quirky stories and Frank’s encounters with peculiar Finnish characters met in the forest, in rock festivals, and during his hitchhiking and other travels around the country, the book guides you to build a way of living where you are content and serene, yet actively engaged and energized to pursue your self-chosen purposes in life.

 

The Power of Hot and Cold

Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju

Step into the world of hot and cold, where contrast therapy – pairing a good steam in a sauna with an icy dip in a lake or the sea – is an essential part of life in Finland. More than a trending pastime, the traditional Finnish practice of alternating hot and cold has a range of health benefits that boost mental and physical wellbeing, which greatly contribute to happiness. It’s also a large part of the reason Finland has been named the World’s Happiest Country for seven years in a row.

This definitive guide by two experts takes readers on a journey into the transformative powers of hot and cold by pairing the sauna, that quintessential hot Finnish steam bath, with a cold-water dip. Along the way, it serves up the inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat using the Nordic contrast bathing philosophy, wherever you are in the world.

The Finnish hot and cold method boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and encouraging connection with nature. It’s the secret to how the world’s happiest nation keeps calm and carries on – no matter what life throws at them. Now you too can learn their secrets.

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

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About author


Frank Martela

Professor Frank Martela, PhD, is a philosopher and researcher of psychology specializing in the question of meaning in life. His articles have appeared in Scientific American Mind, Harvard Business Review, Salon, CNBC and his work has been featured on Quartz and on the BBC. His research has been published extensively in numerous academic journals such as Nature Human Behaviour, Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal of Personality, Metaphilosophy, Southern Journal of Philosophy, and Academy of Management Review. He has spoken to more than one hundred audiences worldwide, including invited lectures in universities on five continents, including Stanford University and Harvard University. He’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Discover Magazine, New Scientist, Vice News, Fox News, and Monocle Observer among others. He is Assistant Professor at Aalto University in Finland.

Outside of work, Frank is a father to three lovely children, an amateur-level soccer player, with an occasional skiing trip in the winters. He is made in Green Bay, so Packers holds a special place in his heart.

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About author


Katja Pantzar

Helsinki-based writer, editor and journalist Katja Pantzar was raised in Canada with stints in New Zealand and the UK. Pantzar’s The Finnish Way has been translated into 24 languages. She is the author of three guides to the Finnish capital: The Hip Guide to Helsinki, Helsinki by Light and 100 Things to Do in Helsinki. Pantzar’s writing has appeared in a wide range of media, from The Globe and Mail to Elle. Her work has been widely covered around the world, including in Le Figaro, Le Monde, El País, Vogue, Real Simple, and more.

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Breaking news! Yellow Kite, Hodder & Stoughton has acquired World English rights for HOT AND COLD by Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju!

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We are now sharing our secret to how the world’s happiest nation, Finland, keeps calm and carries on – no matter what life throws at us. Now you too can learn our secrets, as we are sharing this brilliant news from the UK:

World English rights of the Finnish hot and cold method boosting happiness, a title called HOT AND COLD. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life were today acquired by Liz Gough at Yellow Kite, Hodder & Stoughton for publication in 2024. The deal was negotiated by Elina Ahlbäck at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

This definitive guide is written by two experts. Katja Pantzar is a Helsinki-based writer and journalist who swims in the Baltic Sea almost every day – all year round. Katja is the author of The Finnish Way, translated into 24 languages. Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. Congratulations, Katja, Carita and Yellow Kite!

Yellow Kite Executive Publisher Liz Gough said:
“I have been so struck by the growing interest in cold-water swimming and saunas and the powerful health impact of contrast bathing to help promote happy hormones, soothe away stress, build resilience and enhance wellbeing and encourage good mental health. When I started to explore this area more, what became clear was that the Finns have had the right idea all along! Alternating between hot and cold environments is a way of life in Finland and in Hot and Cold Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju will explain the science, give insights into their own experiences, and offer readers practical guidance so that they too can reap the benefits and improve their health. I am really excited about this acquisition and about helping Yellow Kite readers build some Finnish fortitude into their own lives to help them thrive.”

Hot and cold contrast therapy is fast becoming the must-do wellness experience. Be among the first ones, forerunners of this trend, and acquire the rights to HOT AND COLD to boost wellness and happiness around the world!

Download the materials for HOT AND COLD here!

Hot and Cold. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life

Katja Pantzar and Carita Harju

Hot and cold contrast therapy is fast becoming the must-do wellness experience. This new book inspires readers with insights into the powerful Finnish method of alternating between a hot and cold environment in order to boost health and happiness and delves into how experiencing these contrasting extremes of temperature can change your outlook, your wellbeing and your life.

  • Inspiration and practical tools for creating a wellness retreat at home using the Nordic contrast bathing method, wherever you are in the world.
  • The Finnish hot and cold method boosts happiness by increasing wellbeing and encouraging connection with nature

The sauna was recently ranked as the No. 1 global wellness trend by the Global Wellness Summit. Cold-water swimming is also a growing trend and is being proposed as a cure for all manner of things – from improving mental health to boosting immunity. But why is being hot good for you, and why is submerging into icy water good for you? And what about alternating between the two? What exactly is hot and cold therapy and why is it so vital for physical and mental health?

Dive into the unique world of hot and cold via Finland, where a good steam and an icy dip in a lake or the sea are the foundations of wellbeing for mind, body and soul.

HOT AND COLD. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life
Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton, 2024, approx. 45,000 words

READING MATERIALS
Book proposal
Sample chapters in Spring 2023
Full English manuscript in Fall 2023

RIGHTS SOLD:
WORLD ENGLISH: Yellow Kite / Hodder & Stoughton (orig.)

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

About author


Katja Pantzar

Helsinki-based writer, editor and journalist Katja Pantzar was raised in Canada with stints in New Zealand and the UK. Pantzar’s The Finnish Way has been translated into 24 languages. She is the author of three guides to the Finnish capital: The Hip Guide to Helsinki, Helsinki by Light and 100 Things to Do in Helsinki. Pantzar’s writing has appeared in a wide range of media, from The Globe and Mail to Elle. Her work has been widely covered around the world, including in Le Figaro, Le Monde, El País, Vogue, Real Simple, and more.

Read more Author's page

Estonian rights pre-empted for Carita Harju’s Saunafulness!

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We are extremely happy to announce that Carita Harju’s SAUNAFULNESS rights are now pre-empted by Estonian publisher Rahva Raamat!
The deal was closed by Toomas Aasmäe at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

In her new book, Carita Harju sheds light on the diverse and multifold health benefits of the sauna and how the sauna has increasingly become a source of wellbeing by reducing stress, strengthening the heart, and improving sleep quality.

Download the English sample by clicking here

The title will now be published in 4 countries but is still available in Germany, in the UK & US, Russia, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, etc.

SAUNAFULNESS
by Carita Harju

Saunafulness is all about holistic wellness, the aim of which is to help you relax. The heart of Saunafulness is the sauna and its heat therapy. Fulness, in turn, refers to a holistic approach that combines exercises and wellness to positively impact both mind and body.

It’s only natural that the beneficial effects of sauna – confirmed by many researchers – have mid-wifed a new model for sauna wellness. In her new book, Carita Harju sheds light on the diverse and multifold health benefits of the sauna and how the sauna has increasingly become a source of wellbeing by reducing stress, strengthening the heart, and improving sleep quality.

Saunafulness is divided into two parts. The first part offers the reader ample information on the health benefits of sauna, based on numerous studies, and presented in easily accessible writing. The second part provides the reader with a variety of natural wellbeing exercises that anyone can adapt to fit their own specific wishes. The exercises unite the mind, the body, one’s health, and all the different senses. Saunafulness can be practiced in any sauna with easy-access materials accompanied by clear instructions.

More info about the health effects of Sauna:

Hyvä oloa saunomalla – Saunafulness
Viisas Elämä, 2021, 272pp

RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Viisas elämä (orig.)

ESTONIA: Rahva Raamat
HUNGARY: Scolar Kiado
JAPAN: TOYO KEIZAI, INC.

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2024, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Power of Hot and Cold. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life

Carita Harju


2021, General Nonfiction, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Saunafulness

Carita Harju

Related news

“The Soul of Sauna” full English manuscript now available!

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The sauna was recently ranked the no.1 global wellness trend by Global Wellness Summit.

But why is sauna so important for physical and mental health?

The book by Carita Harju talks about “the Soul of Sauna”. It pays attention to both, the physical and the mental health benefits of sauna bathing. It can be recommended to anyone interested in their own health and wellness.

Some of the themes include:

  • Sauna as a Source of Happiness
  • Nature and Sauna Experience
  • The Health Effects of Sauna
  • Holistic Wellness of Sauna Bathing
  • How to Have an Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience

Click here to request the new English manuscript.

Read more about the Sauna experience:

Time Magazine: The Case for Sauna Bathing is Stronger Than Ever

Focus.de (in German): Forest, Sauna, Prosperity: Why Finns are the happiest people in the world

The New York Times: Saunas May Reduce Stroke Risk

(Proposal’s photography and design (c) Hanna Palosaari)

Rights sold (The Finnish Sauna Book):
JAPAN, Toyo Keizai
HUNGARY, Scolar

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page

Bibliography


2024, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Power of Hot and Cold. From Sauna to Sea: The Finnish Way to a Happy, Healthy Life

Carita Harju


2021, General Nonfiction, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Saunafulness

Carita Harju

Related news

Hungarian deals for The Soul of Finnish Sauna and Love, Joy, Courage

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We are excited to share more good news from the Happiest Country in the World:

For the second year in a row, Finland is no. 1 in the World Happiness Report 2019 (link here), and two wonderful non-fiction books were sold today in Hungary to Scolar Kiadó.

NBC News published this wonderful article explaining what other countries can learn from Finland (here) – and these two books are here to bring Finnish well-being and parenting all around the world!

The Soul of Finnish Sauna: Wellness, Health and Happiness by Carita Harju, the founder of Sauna from Finland, reveals the secrets and health & happiness benefits of Finnish sauna, which can be used in saunas everywhere in the world.

About the author:
Carita Harju founded the organization Sauna from Finland in 2010 to do concrete work to raise awareness of the potential of Finnish saunas, promote the export of saunas, and commercialize sauna innovations: the organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences. She is the #1 expert on Finnish saunas.

Finnish parenting is world-famous: Love, Joy, and Courage – Steps Toward Sexual Maturityexplains how to talk to children, young adults and teenagers about love and sexuality with warm empathy.
 
About the authors:
Raisa Cacciatore is a child psychiatrist, adolescent health specialist, expert physician, and a certified EMDR therapist. She provides training for professionals and parents, and has written many textbooks and works of nonfiction.
Erja Korteniemi-Poikela is a midwife, public health nurse, sexual counselor, and a nonfiction author, who has published several books on sex education and self-esteem.

The Soul of Finnish Sauna

Rights Sold:
HUNGARY, Scolar
JAPAN, Toyo Keiza

 

Love, Joy, Courage – Steps Toward Sexual Maturity

Rights Sold:
FINLAND, Minerva (orig.)
HUNGARY, Scolar

About author


Carita Harju

Carita Harju is a Finnish sauna experience expert and marketing professional whose mission is to share the Finnish sauna’s positive health and wellness benefits with the world. She is the founder and executive director of Sauna from Finland, which represents an international network of more than 200 sauna industry companies. The organization’s mission is to create the world’s best sauna experiences, and Harju loves her work, because it allows her to advance an idea that she is personally so passionate about. Carita Harju has always enjoyed saunas, goes to sauna with her family nearly every day and gives talks all over the world.

Her first illustrated guide, Sauna - The Way of Finnish Life (2016), has been published in four languages, including German and Chinese. Her second book, Soul of the Sauna, was released in Japanese and Hungarian, while her newest title Saunafulness (Hyvää oloa saunomalla, 2021) has been sold to 4 territories.

Read more Author's page