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work-life balance in // iceland
Iceland is a country of contrast. Hot springs of the Blue Lagoon steam amid bitter winters. Rugged snow-covered terrain underneath a swirled canvas of Northern Lights. For the 330,000+ citizens of Iceland, this contrast can also be found in their quest for a satisfying life outside of their normal workweek. According to a recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Iceland ranks below average in work-life balance.
For a country that offers waterfalls, geysers, and volcanoes among its sought after outdoor sights, the problem many Icelanders face is finding the time to take advantage of their surroundings. Despite ranking high in such categories as employment, a sense of community, and being environmentally responsible, a concern for many in Iceland is working long hours and therefore not having adequate time to spend on personal and leisure activities. Nonetheless, Icelanders have a higher rate of satisfaction for their lives than the average responses surveyed by the OECD.
A high self-evaluation for Life Satisfaction in Iceland could be attributed to several causes, but the access to inimitable scenery is a point of jealousy for people the world over. Whether seeking out filming locations from Game of Thrones to channel one’s inner wildling or hiking alongside the Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland has rich offerings for any outdoorsy adventurer. Though, with only a few hours of sunlight in winter, Iceland relies on more than natural beauty to engage its people.
As presumed with any island, seafood is a staple component of an Icelandic diet, both for its accessibility and its tie to traditional work and survival. As most of us can relate to, the Icelandic have a growing appreciation for coffee, as evidenced by an increase in cafes and roasters, especially in the capital and largest city, Reykjavik.
So, with all that Iceland has to offer, whether it’s a meal and visit to an art gallery in the city after work, a weekend hike along the coast, or a trip to a spa to unwind from it all, why do the Icelandic feel their work-life balance leaves something to be desired? Time. All the activities and attractions available to us are only meaningful if we have the time to appreciate them.
Getting the time away from work is key to recharge, and a shift towards prioritizing leisure time is not a simple change to make for a society that is driven towards workplace productivity. So, if you can punch the clock at a reasonable time, the potential for exploration of natural beauty and culturally rich opportunities are at your doorstep in Iceland.
Read about different work-life balances in other countries here.
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