An American woman has revealed how just one week in the world's happiest city completely revolutionised her approach to life, inspiring dramatic changes to her daily routine and mindset.
The Copenhagen Revelation
Leila Najafi, a Los Angeles resident, embarked on a solo trip to Copenhagen in Denmark and returned to the United States with a completely transformed perspective on living. The capital city, consistently ranked as having the highest resident satisfaction and overall happiness levels worldwide, showed her an alternative to the car-dependent American lifestyle she'd always known.
During her seven-day visit, Najafi documented her experiences in a Business Insider article, expressing particular astonishment at the city's cycling culture. "I was stunned to see more bikes than cars on the streets," she remarked, noting her particular surprise at witnessing "swarms of cyclists in business attire" commuting to work.
Embracing the Active Lifestyle
The city's infrastructure supported Najafi in achieving what she considered a remarkable personal milestone: completing at least 10,000 steps daily. This contrasted sharply with her life in Los Angeles, where she explained that using a car is essential for nearly every journey.
Since returning to America, Najafi has consciously adopted elements of Danish life into her routine. "Since I returned, I've begun making a conscious effort to walk or bike for errands or coffee runs whenever possible," she stated, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining the active habits she developed in Copenhagen.
The city's pedestrianised streets and strong community atmosphere left a lasting impression, inspiring her to seek similar experiences in her home environment.
Culinary and Cultural Shifts
Beyond transportation, Najafi discovered new perspectives through Danish cuisine and wellness practices. She found herself impressed by the emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and seafood-focused dishes, which contrasted with the typical American diet of burgers and fries.
This culinary inspiration has translated into practical changes back home, where she now regularly shops at her local farmers market and prepares meals using fresh, seasonal produce.
The Nordic approach to wellness also captured her attention, particularly the abundance of saunas throughout Copenhagen. She appreciated both the social aspect of communal sauna sessions and the health benefits, including improved blood circulation and muscle relaxation.
"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," Najafi recalled of her Scandinavian wellness experiences.
Sustainability and Minimalism
Copenhagen's commitment to sustainability left an equally profound impact. The city's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through comprehensive recycling programmes and innovative multi-purpose buildings, such as a waste disposal plant that doubles as a ski slope, demonstrated practical approaches to environmental challenges.
Perhaps the most significant transformation came through embracing Danish minimalism, which stood in stark contrast to what Najafi described as the "excessive" American way of life. The city's cleanliness and intentional living inspired a major decluttering project upon her return to the United States.
"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.
Najafi implemented this philosophy immediately, donating nearly all her possessions and keeping only items she had used within the previous six months. This dramatic shift toward minimalism represents the most profound change resulting from her Copenhagen experience, proving that sometimes a week away can indeed transform a lifetime of habits.
