Frank Martela

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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Finnish rights to STOP CHASING HAPPINESS by Frank Martela sold to Gummerus in an auction!

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We are thrilled to announce that the Finnish rights for STOP CHASING HAPPINESS: Counterintuitive Life Advice From the World’s Happiest Country have been acquired by Gummerus in an auction! The deal was closed by Anna Kappauf at Elina Ahlback Literary Agency.

Gummerus has already published Frank Martela’s previous book A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence and are excited to publish STOP CHASING HAPPINESS as a lead title on their non-fiction list:

”I have been waiting for a new book by Frank Martela since I finished reading Elämän tarkoitus (A Wonderful Life). Frank simply helps me to think better and live better. And I am not alone so we cannot wait to publish his anticipated book and bring it to the hands of the impatient Finnish readers. We might be the happiest nation on Earth but we too need gentle guidance to happiness–or to understanding to avoid chasing it, to be precise. And who would be a more perfect thinker to deliver this message to us than Frank who has a phenomenal ability to present complex ideas in a comprehensible and thought-provoking way. We are honoured and inspired to continue to be his Finnish publisher.” Johanna Laitinen, Publisher at Gummerus

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS is a no-nonsense guide to a happier life by Finland’s leading happiness researcher Frank Martela. The book will be originally written in English and then translated to Finnish by the author himself. Rights to Frank Martela’s previous works have been sold to 30 territories.

There is already interest from other territories and we expect this to be one of our hot titles for Frankfurt book fair – now is the time to acquire the rights!

Download the English materials for STOP CHASING HAPPINESS here!

STOP CHASING HAPPINESS. Counterintuitive Life Advice From the World’s Happiest Country

Rights sold:
FINLAND: Gummerus (orig.)

Reading materials:
English book proposal, table of content, sample chapter

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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Bibliography


2024, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

Stop Chasing Happiness: Counterintuitive Life Advice From the World’s Happiest Country

Frank Martela


2023, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

The Meaning Manifesto: Why Work Needs to Have a Purpose

Frank Martela


2020, Personal Growth & Lifestyle

A Wonderful Life: Insights on Finding a Meaningful Existence

Frank Martela

Related news

Introducing: EALA Fall 2022 Non-Fiction Catalogue!

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We are thrilled to present our Non-Fiction Catalogue for Fall 2022: Are you ready to experience meaningful work? Or learn more about Finland’s most beloved artist or about the destructive power of money in football?

From our new catalogue, we’ve picked some hot titles for you – take a look at them below!

View the full Fall 2022 Non-Fiction Catalogue here!

The Meaning Manifesto

by Frank Martela

Are you ready to experience meaningful work and make it possible? Start your journey with this book!   

Work occupies a more central role in our lives than just a way of making ends meet. At best, work fills our lives with meaningfulness, making our whole existence more worth living. At worst, it is a desperate toil that alienates us from who we are and what’s good in life.

How, then, can we make work more meaningful? In principle, the recipe for meaningful work is surprisingly simple: do personally interesting and engaging things, while making a positive contribution to other people. However, making that into reality is the tough part.

THE MEANING MANIFESTO by Frank Martela, the acclaimed author of the internationally-bestselling A WONDERFUL LIFE, helps you navigate modern work life towards a more purposeful career and meaningful everyday work experience.

 

Ella – Helene Schjerfbeck

by Mari Tossavainen

The story of the most well-known Finnish artist in the world, supplemented by previously unpublished correspondence

Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946) is one of the most well-known Finnish artists in the world. Her modernist and realist works have been on display in galleries all over Europe, North America and Asia, a biographical film based on her life was released in 2020, and her birthday, July 10th, is a national day for the painted arts in Finland.

This fascinating book, drawing on previously unpublished correspondence and archival materials, paints a far more multithreaded picture of the life of Helene Schjerfbeck and brings into light the significance of previously forgotten people in her creative work. In her letters, Schjerfbeck divulged both her works and her thoughts not only to fellow artists, but also to people outside the artistic world.

 

The Black Book of Football

by Hannu Aaltonen and Tapio Keskitalo

A critical depiction of the destructive power of money in professional association football

During the 2000s, international association football has become a pompous, money-driven business. ‘The Beautiful Game’ has developed into a playing field with its own laws where oligarchs, sheikhs, and American billionaires run amok.

This startling book delves into the outrageously wealthy and powerful football clubs that do not abide by football’s own economic rules. Influential football bosses and governing bodies have become bogged down in bribe scandals, while small football countries like Finland have to count pennies.

The grotesque development culminates with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the authorities and organizers do not care about costs or construction worker deaths.

 

Stalin and the Fate of Finland

by Kimmo Rentola

A meticulously researched insight into critical points in the history of relations between Finland and the Soviet Union.

Winner of the Lauri Jäntti Prize for non-fiction literature!

How did Finland evade Joseph Stalin’s crosshairs three times? Did Stalin have a special relationship with Finland and the Finns? Why didn’t he continue the Soviet onslaught on Finland during the Winter War in 1940? The answers lie in the relations between Finland and Russia which remain highly timely to this day.

Joseph Stalin has been one of the individuals with the most influence on the history of independent Finland. There are few who have made so many far-reaching decisions as Stalin: he decreed the beginning and the end of the Winter War, the Moscow Armistice of 1944 that ended the Continuation War was signed with his authorization, and when, in 1948, it was time to decide whether Finland would become a ‘people’s republic’ or not, he initially pushed forward but eventually backed down. All of these decisions can be seen as pivotal to the fate of Finland, its society, its independence, the life and death of the Finnish people.

The book focuses on the decisions of Stalin in which the entire existence or, at the very least, the essential nature of that existence, of Finland was at stake.

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.

Read more Author's page