‘I spent a week in world’s happiest city under 2 hours from London and it changed my life’
Leila has totally changed up her behaviour after seeing how the world’s happiest city does things
Copenhagen often ranks as one of – if not the – happiest city in the world(Image: Getty Images)
A woman has revealed how a week-long visit to a European city dubbed “the happiest in the world” has completely changed her life.
Leila Najafi has pledged to adopt a more active and optimistic approach after her eye-opening journey, marking a dramatic shift from her previous lifestyle.
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, consistently tops global rankings for resident happiness and overall quality of life.
Similar to Amsterdam, the city sees residents cycling through the streets rather than cars jamming the roads.
Additionally, the city boasts excellent walkability combined with a genuine community spirit, and American Leila says what she witnessed inspired her to introduce similar principles when she returned to the US, reports Plymouth Live.
Leila went on a solo trip to the Danish capital for one week. During her stay, she confessed to being enchanted by the more active way of life and how residents take advantage of the city’s thriving tourism industry.
Copenhagen is renowned for its number of cyclists(Image: GETTY)
Describing her new-found passion for cycling, Leila expressed astonishment at discovering more bikes than cars on the roads, commenting on her shock at witnessing “swarms of cyclists in business attire” commuting to work. She was also struck by the extensive network of pedestrian-only zones running throughout the capital.
During her visit, Leila revealed she managed to achieve at least 10,000 steps daily – a remarkable accomplishment for someone accustomed to Los Angeles living, where driving is essential for virtually every outing.
However, following her return to the United States, Leila has chosen to modify her habits to mirror those 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 equally impressed by the nation’s culinary landscape, which depends far more heavily on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and an emphasis on seafood, in contrast to the standard burgers and chips typically encountered in America.
Consequently, she now regularly prepares dishes using fresh and local produce purchased from her neighbourhood farmers market. It wasn’t merely the cuisine, but the broader Scandinavian culture that caught Leila off guard, as she was astonished to discover the prevalence of saunas throughout the capital.
Copenhagen is absolutely beautiful(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Saunas provide a perfect opportunity for social engagement amongst locals, whilst delivering numerous health advantages including enhanced circulation and muscle restoration. Commenting on her sauna encounters in Copenhagen, Leila noted: “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 green credentials, is making strides in reducing its carbon footprint through extensive recycling schemes.
The cityscape boasts multi-purpose buildings, including a waste processing plant that doubles as a ski slope.
The biggest change she adopted was embracing a minimalist lifestyle, reflecting the Danish ethos and standing in stark contrast to the “excessive” American way of life. She confessed to being inspired by the city’s immaculate state and sought to incorporate this approach into her own life upon her return.
“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.”
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