Expectations from psychotherapy are sometimes not met: "Communication with the therapist could be compared with mental rape"

More and more Finns are trying to solve their problems with the help of a therapist. Many will be disappointed when the therapist, instead of treating, only exacerbates the client’s problem. Unsuccessful psychotherapy can turn a client's life into a nightmare, but the therapist is rarely responsible for this.

“I often left the therapist in tears and more depressed than before the visit. At the end of the session, I did not receive anything - except for the service bill, of course. I realized how bad everything was, only when I got to another therapist who was different from the previous one like day from night. ”

“Therapy was comparable to violence. The therapist made it clear to me that I would never be cured and I would never achieve anything. The therapist’s visits completely destroyed my legal capacity. ”

"My therapist was a believer and inspired me that my sexual orientation was a sin and something shameful."

The current Yle Perjantai program asked readers to share their negative experiences of seeking psychological help. About a hundred answers were received, in which for the most part the same scenario was repeated and the same problems surfaced: the wrong type of therapy, the wrong therapist, the high cost of the sessions, the patient’s lack of rights in case of unsuccessful treatment, and sexual harassment and trying to plant your beliefs or beliefs.

Many wrote that their situation worsened after therapy. About ten respondents mentioned that they began to have suicidal thoughts after the sessions.

The risks of therapy are not spoken enough

In the Helsinki-Uusimaa hospital district, they are familiar with the problem. Jan-Henry Stenberg, head of the department, knows that the risks associated with psychotherapy are often silent. Stenberg is responsible for overseeing psychotherapeutic care in the hospital district.

- Despite the fact that for most patients therapy is of great benefit, serious problems can be associated with it.

“In the end, it was so hard for me that I with all my might avoided visiting the therapist and lied that I was ill, just not to go. I was suffering from anxiety disorder, and therapy exacerbated my neurosis weekly, which I tried to avoid. "

“My therapist pressed me with authority and I believed everything he said. I can only compare this with rape. The feelings were similar. ”

Every fifth resident of Finland suffers from mental disorders. Often they are difficult to detect and clearly identify, since many symptoms manifest themselves in difficult times in life, and a person does not associate this with a mental illness. According to experts, we are talking about a mental disorder if a person’s legal capacity and relations deteriorate sharply. A serious mental disorder can completely deprive a person of disability. Today, three times more people are clients of rehabilitative psychotherapy, which Kela partially pays for, than 10 years ago. One of the reasons for this growth is that since 2011, rehabilitation therapy is guaranteed by law.

"Dependence on therapist"

“I wasted a year and a half of paid therapy on what was not a treatment, but was, in fact, a traumatic addiction to my therapist.”

“My life situation at that time and my childhood injuries mixed together, when I eventually told the therapist that the therapy made me feel worse, he got angry with me.”

"Therapy caused my anorexia and severe clinical depression."

"The therapist condemned all my decisions and actions, after each session I felt my inferiority."

Based on various studies, the head of the development department of the Department of Health and Social Well-being, Olavi Lindfors, estimates that the number of cases when the patient's condition worsens due to therapy is from 5 to 8 percent.

- The success of psychotherapy largely depends on the contact with the therapist and the general point of view on what a person wants to achieve through treatment. It is important to pay attention to how the interaction with the therapist develops, ”Lindfors recalls.

Finns diligently attend therapy

Especially young people, in particular women, often turn to a psychotherapist. According to Kela statistics, a typical therapist's client is a young woman aged 25 to 34 years.

“Over the 14 years of therapy, I have wondered more than once, would I be at the age of 32 on a disability pension if my first therapist really understood his business?”

“I was 17, I had severe depression and behavioral problems. The therapist offered to participate in the Miss Finland contest and constantly joked that I would be a good couple for his son. ”

“I was about 20, I'm a lesbian. The therapist was a middle-aged man. He asked about my sexual fantasies and how I react to other women. I couldn’t open up to him. ”

The cost of therapy

Many clients complain about the high price of therapy.
Kela partially pays for rehabilitative psychotherapy, which can be provided to a person aged 16 to 67 years, whose legal capacity is at risk. In order to receive a decision on compensation from Kela, you need to be observed by a psychiatrist for three months, during this time you need to visit a doctor at least twice to get an official diagnosis. It is also necessary to find a psychotherapist on your own and pay for an orientation session. This means that the patient pays for the first visits to a specialist.

Subsequently, Kela decides to pay for rehabilitation therapy, which is valid for a maximum of one year and is extended for up to three years. In total, the state pays for three years of psychotherapy sessions and 200 visits to the therapist. Kela reimburses EUR 57.60 per visit. On average, the patient pays for the session about 30 euros from his own pocket. Many, however, pay more because the price tag for psychotherapist services varies from 80 euros to 200 euros per visit.

Severe effects of therapy

There is very little information about suicides that occurred during therapy, but according to some estimates, just over one percent of psychotherapeutic patients commit suicide.

“I visited a psychotherapist for two years. As a result, my condition worsened, I refused to communicate with the outside world and tried to commit suicide. ”

“I have a tendency to suicidal mood, as a result of therapy I only approached death. "My initial problem with which I came to the therapist is still not cured."

Oversight of health services is carried out by the regional departments of the municipal government (AVI), and the supervisor of Valvira. Patient complaints of failed therapy are dealt with by AVI unless it is suspected that a mistake in treatment has led to the death or disability of the patient.

Complaints Receive Weekly

Valvira's Medical Advisor, Kaisa Riala, reports that psychiatric treatment complaints are received weekly. Cases when they complain about compulsory treatment, errors in the selection of drugs or about the unsuitability of a psychotherapist are mainly considered in regional oversight bodies.

“At Valvira, we look at cases of suicide.” We do not keep separate statistics, but, according to estimates, there are no more than a dozen such cases per year. When suicide complaints are received, we evaluate the quality of the psychiatric care provided and whether the suicidal risk assessment was performed correctly. Often, the care was assigned absolutely correct, however, the patient still commits suicide.

More than 100 complaints to municipal supervisory authorities are received by psychologists and psychotherapists annually. Most often, complaints relate to inappropriate behavior, accessibility of services, medical treatment, as well as errors in the choice of psychotherapeutic methods.

Most complaints do not have consequences. So, last year 12 official written warnings were issued.

Patients often complain about inaction of supervisory authorities
“I complained to the municipal department ... my therapist denied everything and stated that I was lying. I was young, and the therapist is a solid professional with experience, licensed at Valvira. ”

“The patient cannot defend himself in any way by falling into a layman with a dubious ethics.”

“The decision on my complaint came two years later. The therapist received a written warning. I was disappointed - I hoped that his license would be taken away. ”

"My therapist lost his license and practice - it turned out that I was not his only victim."

In Lapland, it is snowy in winter

Skiers in the capital region opened the season on tracks with artificial snow

In Lapland, it is snowy in winter, and in the south of the country there is no snow at all.

In Lapland, a record amount of snow was recorded, but in the metropolitan region there is no snow at all. However, this does not prevent the most active citizens from enjoying skiing.

There are ski slopes with artificial snowmaking in the Oitta region of Espoo and in Hakunila in Vantaa. At the weekend, a five-hundred-meter track also opened in the metropolitan area of ​​Paloheynia.

- I love skiing. If there is even a very short track, I can’t ignore it, ”Annie Grönrus, a resident of Helsinki, laughs.

- The skis glided well. I rode in a classic style, the snow did not stick and did not crumble, - in turn, comments Nicholas Vardi.

Mirkos Kienanen, who is responsible for the state of the track, notes that according to forecasts, the coming weeks will be especially warm, which will affect artificial skiing.

- Water pipes were installed under the highway, a little higher electricity. Water flows all the time, and if there is a slight frost, then new snow can be made quite easily. He usually holds well. However, rain and wind at freezing temperatures are already difficult conditions, ”explains Kienanen from the Helsinki City Affairs Office.

Finding Feminist Santa 🎅

The discussion around the image of Santa Claus is gaining momentum in Finland - is the good old man with his views out of date and is it time for him to replace the “feminist” Joulupukki?

According to worried parents, Santa should not divide children into good boys and obedient girls - he should address them by name, without making any separation based on gender.

As an option, one of the mothers proposes to play the role of Santa to the mothers of the families, because Santa is a fairy-tale character and, as a result, the role of the conditional protagonist of a fairy-tale scene can be performed, including by a woman.

What do you think? Does modern society need a feminist Santa Claus?

"Festival of Licorice and Salmiakka"

October 26 - 27 in Helsinki will be held "Festival of Licorice and Salmiakka"

The annual Licorice and Salmiakki festival will be held November 11-12. This festival is a celebration of taste experiments and knowledge about liquorice, the purpose of which is to organize a meeting place for liquorice lovers, producers and sellers. Visitors to the event will be able to take part in tastings, master classes, competitions and, of course, choose new licorice favorites.

Address: Wanha Satama, Katajanokka, Helsinki
Opening hours: 26.10 from 10 to 18 and 27.10 from 11 to 16
Entrance: 14 Euro

Finn paid

Last year, each Finn paid EUR 105 to the European Union

Finland transferred 580 million euros more to the EU budget than it received.

Like other wealthy countries, Finland paid more to the European treasury than it received. In the case of Finland, this amount is 580 million euros.

The Ministry of Finance released the latest data, according to which last year each Finn paid EUR 105 to the EU budget, while the year before last this amount was EUR 50.

Not all benefits received from the European Union can be calculated on a calculator. For example, the EU’s domestic market greatly facilitates export and improves the competitiveness of companies.

Finland has been a net payer of the EU since 2001.

Most of the money from the EU in relation to GDP is received by Hungary, Lithuania and Latvia.

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Natural History

The Finnish Museum of Natural History begins its journey into Finnish nature by diving into the Baltic Sea and continues through the changing seasons to the frosty Arctic hills. Other exhibitions allow you to see the diversity of the natural world, displayed through evolution from the era of the dinosaurs.

The museum building is located in the Kamppi district in the center of Helsinki. In addition to its four permanent exhibits, the museum has a hall for changing exhibitions.

The museum hosts more than 10 different excursions, there is also a cafe and a small museum store.

The Museum of Natural History is part of the Finnish Museum of Natural History, which also includes the Cabinet of Minerals and two Botanical Gardens of the University of Helsinki - in Kaisaniemi and Kumpula, open to the general public.

Address: Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, 00100 Helsinki
Website: www.luomus.fi/ru

Schedule: Tue-Sun (see website for time)
Admission: adults - 15 euros, children (7-17 years old) - 7 euros

Emission Products

According to the latest publications of the Finnish press, in Finland about 400 million kg of food are thrown into the waste every year. The share of individual households in this volume is 120 - 160 million kg, which corresponds to approximately eight thousand truck wagons. In monetary terms, this amount of food is estimated at half a billion euros.

The least prudent of food are residents of Helsinki and its environs. In the metropolitan area, even unopened food packaging is often thrown into the waste. Their share in the total volume of discarded products reaches 15 percent.

Most often vegetables get into garbage cans - 22 million kg annually. The waste of food cooked at home is 21 million kg. Dairy products are emitted in the amount of 20 million kg. The amount of discarded bread is 12 million kg. Fruits and berries are thrown in the same volume. Meat, fish and eggs are turned into garbage in the amount of 11 million kg.

A Finnish family of four spends about 500 euros annually to buy food, which is then turned into waste.

It is alleged, and it’s hard to argue that the production of “excess” food, which then gets into the garbage, serves as an additional unjustified burden for the environment.

After all, agricultural and food production needs land and water. It is a source of various harmful waste polluting the soil, water and atmosphere. It is estimated that the production of food thrown into the garbage by consumers leads to the formation of such an amount of carbon dioxide, which is produced in a year by 100 thousand cars.

Specialists develop certain recommendations, the observance of which should lead to a decrease in the mass of products that are turned into waste.

In particular, they advise to go to the store for groceries only when it is really necessary, because almost always in the refrigerator you can find something from which you can cook dinner.

In order not to buy excess food, before going to the supermarket it is recommended to look in the refrigerator and make a list of what you really need to purchase.

Do not be tempted by the price discounts associated with a large number of purchased products, if this product is perishable.

Fruits are best bought by weight rather than in packaging, because it may contain spoiled or moldy fruits.

It makes sense to place perishable products in the refrigerator in the most visible place, so as not to forget about them.

Particularly noteworthy is the advice regarding the period of consumption of the product indicated on its packaging. A mark of this kind can have two meanings. In one case, she, as it were, recommends using the product until a certain day. Finnish Parasta ennen (Better before). This mark indicates the period during which the product retains its inherent properties. If the product is outside the specified date, then this does not mean that it is certainly harmful or hazardous to health. In this situation, it is necessary to use the senses: vision, smell, and also taste buds.

In another case, the mark indicates the last day of use: Viimeinen käyttöpäivä.

This means that this product must be eaten before the specified date. Later, microbiological changes that are difficult to detect can occur in it. In such a situation, the consumption of an expired product can be harmful to health or spoil your well-being.

The date of the last day of use is applied to products stored in vacuum packaging or in packaging using protective gases. It is also available on packages of meat and broilers.

In total, in Finnish home kitchens, 10-15 percent of all food consumed goes to waste. In restaurants, the situation is even less comforting. About twenty percent of restaurant food is thrown into the trash.

The struggle for respect for food is being waged today, above all, under the sign of environmental protection. This is understandable.

You just need to remember that environmental pollution will inevitably take place as long as humanity exists. Of course, unnecessarily unreasonable overproduction of any product, including food, should be avoided. But it is necessary to understand that modern man is difficult to change.

In the current high level of production, people behave accordingly. They relate to food, as they are used to relate to what is in excess. The upbringing and implementation of an appropriate culture of behavior can change something for the better. Nevertheless, a drastic change is unlikely to happen. It is possible only in conditions when food becomes scarce. Then everyone begins to relate to food extremely carefully.

But hardly anyone wants to live in conditions of lack or limited food. This is much worse than a careless attitude towards her. Limited products entail a lot of negative consequences: increased speculation, crime, morbidity, etc.

Therefore, urging people to be careful, and to protect the environment, it is not necessary on this basis to exert psychological or other pressure on the consumer, and, moreover, to adjust the level of food production, as well as, by the way, do not passionately refuse cars or airplanes. The consequences of such hasty actions can be much more tangible and more rapid than the consequences of environmental changes.

Foreign Minister Haavisto: Nobel Peace

Foreign Minister Haavisto: Nobel Peace Prize was given to those who deserve it

According to Pekka Haavisto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has great merit in promoting peace in his region.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Greens) believes it is the right choice of the Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

According to Haavisto, Ahmed is in the midst of a transformation in his country, and during his reign, relations with Eritrea became better.

Ahmed also made a significant contribution to the peace process in Sudan, said the head of the Finnish foreign ministry.

Haavisto, who has visited the region dozens of times, is personally acquainted with Ahmed.

“I met him many times.” He is a dynamic leader of the young generation of African leaders, who has done a lot for the region.

“Africa is changing thanks to his work,” said Haavisto.

Helsinki Public Saunas

Helsinki Public Saunas: Sompasauna

This sauna with a wood-burning stove was built on the seashore in the Kalasatama area by a group of Helsinki volunteers and is maintained in order. She works on the principle of self-service - there are no permanent employees. Anyone can come to the sauna at any time of the day, flood the stove and enjoy the steam for free (however, in winter it is recommended to bring a small package of firewood and a bottle of water, which can be purchased at the nearest gas station). And visitors to this sauna are free to swim in the sea.

In another country, such a sauna would be a risky venture, but in a calm and respectable Helsinki it is safe. Good for budget travelers.

Address: The southern tip of the Kalasatama area, a 20-minute walk from Kalasatama Subway Station.
Website: www.sompasauna.fi

Parking spaces

Finland wants to create 600 thousand parking spaces for electric vehicles

HELSINKI, October 4 - RIA News. To improve the infrastructure for electric vehicles by changing building codes that require charging in the parking lots of residential buildings and office centers, starting in 2021, the Finnish Ministry of the Environment is proposing.

Authorities are requesting comments from all interested parties on the bill, the government’s press service said Friday. The law is part of the implementation of the EU Energy Performance Directive for buildings.

“It is clear that electric vehicles need more recharging points so that more and more people can use them. Therefore, we noted in the Ministerial Working Group on Climate and Energy Policy that a significant increase in the number of recharging points is proposed. Electrification of transport is an important way to move Finland to carbon neutrality by 2035, "said Krista Mikkonen, Minister of Environment and Climate.

“The share of low- and zero-emission vehicles, such as electric cars, in the fleet should be increased in order to achieve climate goals for road transport. In addition to the public charging network, the availability of charging stations for residential buildings and workplaces plays an important role in electrifying traffic ", - said the Minister of Transport and Communications Sanna Marin.

According to government estimates, by 2030, with the help of the bill, about 171 thousand charging spots can be created, which will give about 621 thousand parking spaces in Finland.

The bill provides that all new or overhaul residential buildings with more than four parking spaces must be equipped with chargers without fail. The owner of the building must provide the tenant with a charging point if he purchases an electric car. The following obligations apply to new or major renovated non-residential buildings: if there are more than 10 parking spaces, at least half of them must be electrically charged.

It is proposed to apply new standards from 2021.
According to a VTT Technical study commissioned by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Finland in February 2019, 93% of housing companies that answered the questionnaire of the Finnish Real Estate Federation have not yet taken any measures regarding the construction of charging for electric vehicles.

Finland is significantly behind the neighboring countries in the region in the number of electric vehicles sold in the country. According to statistics for 2016, in Norway there were more than 100 thousand electric cars that are sold without VAT, in Sweden more than 10 thousand electric cars that are sold under a special program of state subsidies, in Estonia there were about 1.2 thousand electric cars, in Finland - 1039 electric cars. The country lags behind in terms of infrastructure. There are about 9 thousand electric vehicle charging stations in Norway, 3.3 thousand in Sweden, and 800 in Finland. At the same time, the cost of a new Tesla S car in Finland is about 100 thousand euros.

Finland ranked 2nd in the World Press Freedom Index

Finland took 2nd place in the World Press Freedom Index 2019 from the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders, located in the top of the list of countries with the most free press. The first place went to Norway, and the third to Sweden.

Compared to 2018, Finland managed to rise two points, jumping from 4th to 2nd place. In 2017, Finland took 3rd place.

Estonia ranks 11th, Latvia 24th, USA 48th, Ukraine 102nd, and Russia 149th. The last two positions in the list were taken by North Korea (179) and Turkmenistan (180).

1. Norway
2. Finland
3. Sweden
4. Netherlands
5. Denmark
6. Switzerland
7. New Zealand
8. Jamaica
9. Belgium
10. Costa Rica

Mall of Tripla is an example of green and energy-efficient construction

Guests from Russia can already see the Tripla shopping center from the window of the Allegro train.

Mall of Tripla, built by YIT in the Pasila area of ​​Helsinki, will open to visitors on 10/17/2019. It will become Finland’s largest shopping mall and holder of the maximum LEED points. He was awarded the LEED platinum certificate, which is the highest level of international environmental certification, the YIT report said.

LEED is the rating system for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings The Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), translated as "Leadership in energy and environmental design." The assignment of this certificate was particularly influenced by construction solutions that contribute to the energy efficiency of the shopping center and take into account environmental aspects.

The energy consumption of the shopping center and the consumption of clean water are approximately 40% lower than those of the corresponding new construction projects. The low level of electricity consumption reduces the operational costs of real estate and their environmental burden. The same applies to water consumption. Thus, lessees of premises will receive invoices for smaller amounts.

One of the LEED assessment criteria is storm water treatment. At the Mall of Tripla, the storm sewage system is designed so that storm water is either absorbed by the ground or reused, for example, to wash cars in a car wash. Approximately 41% of the total roof area is occupied by the green roof, which is designed to increase the area of ​​green spaces, increase the comfort of stay and control storm water. After the construction of all residential, office and hotel premises of the shopping center is completed, the green roof area will be about one hectare.

During the construction, attention is also paid to the cleanliness of indoor air, according to YIT. Numerous carbon dioxide sensors continuously measure air quality throughout the mall.

During the construction of the Mall of Tripla, not only LEED certification requirements were taken into account, but also the requirements of Helsinki regarding sustainable development and environmental friendliness. For example, the city considers it important to improve mobility conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. Therefore, the Mall of Tripla provides the maximum number of parking spaces for bicycles - as many as 3,250, much more than in other shopping centers in Finland. There are also sockets for charging electric bikes and 277 points for charging electric vehicles. There are also usual parking spaces for 2,200 cars in the building.

LEED certification was also influenced by the excellent location of the facility in a densely built-up urban environment with good transport links and numerous services facilities. It is believed that the Pasila area has optimal accessibility in Helsinki: it can be reached by any means of transport, and when the construction of the Central Pasila area is completed by 2040, the Pasila railway station will become the largest in terms of passenger traffic. By the way, guests from Russia can already see the Mall of Tripla from the window of the Allegro train.

Three islands of Airiston Helmi sold for half a million euros

Sold three islands owned by Airiston Helmi. A Russian-owned company in the summer announced the liquidation of its activities.

Three islands were put up for sale, located near the Innamo Island in the Archipelago Sea, Svenska Yle reports. The islands were bought by a businessman from the Turku region, which has several companies in Turku and Helsinki. The new owner declined to comment on the deal.

In the summer, it became clear that Airiston Helmi could not continue its business, as banks did not agree to open accounts for it. The owner of the company Pavel Melnikov announced his intention to sell all the property of his company.

The islands were sold, although the preliminary investigation into the Airiston Helmi case has not yet been completed. The owner has the right to sell the property, because large sums of money were withdrawn from him.

“The police found such a large amount of cash that they are likely to cover unpaid taxes,” said the head of the investigation, inspector Tomi Taskila from the Central Committee.

Three beneficiaries demanded a total of two million euros from Airiston Helmi. According to a company representative, two debts have already been paid. The third lender is the Internal Revenue Service, which requires EUR 1.7 million from Airiston Helmi.

Three islands sold
The first property consists of two lakes of Kolkan and Tampankari with an area of ​​six hectares. On the island of Kolkan there are a bathhouse, a warehouse and a pier. The businessman paid 285,000 euros for the two islands.

The third island of Hepokari, an area of ​​one hectare, was sold separately. It cost 250,000 euros. There are a bathhouse, a warehouse, a guest house and a pier on the island.

The price paid for the islands was acceptable, rated by Swedish real estate agent Yle Åboland.

The police last September conducted a large-scale search in dozens of real estate properties of Airiston Helmi. About 3.5 million euros were seized during the search.

Investigation of suspected money laundering and tax crimes continues.

Wine as an alternative

For hundreds of years, beer has remained the national drink of the Finns. However, recently, natural wine has also become in demand.

Studies show that among the population of Finland, the popularity of natural red wine is growing. Its one-time consumption, as a rule, is limited to one or two glasses.

Red wine in Finland, as in other countries of Northern Europe, is by far the most common of all natural wines. But this does not mean at all that sparkling wine and white wine are not in demand, their consumption has also increased.

The popularity of red wine and natural wine in the whole country has reached an international level. There are as many wine lovers in Finland today as in Sweden.

However, unlike many other European countries, Finland still does not have a pronounced separation of tastes by type of red wine. If somewhere in France or even in the same Sweden people immediately call their favorite brand of wine, then the Finns are limited to indicating the color: just red wine or just white wine.

There are several explanations for this. Basically, reference is made to features of a Finnish character.

The Finnish consumer, according to wine experts from Helsinki, is positively curious and straightforward. Seeking to get acquainted with the world of wines, he rushes into its variety without unnecessary delays and weighing. And for example, for many Swedes, the image of the drink, brand, etc.

In addition, in Finland, many wine consumers are quite pragmatic. The simplicity of choosing a drink is very important for them. The shape of the packaging of the wine, which should be appropriate for the situation, also matters.

As for the dose of wine consumption at a time, then in all the Nordic countries it is about the same and is, like in Finland, one or two glasses. According to more precise data, 45 percent of Finnish wine lovers drink two glasses of wine at a time. A quarter of respondents drink one glass each.
According to the conclusion of Finnish wine experts, the main mistakes made by Finns as consumers of wine are as follows.

Cheap wine is selected.

The problem of the Finnish wine buyer is that you don’t want to spend a lot of money on wine. The pain point is 10 euros. Almost 90 percent of ordinary Finnish consumers buy wine at a price of 7.5 - 9.5 euros. Although, as experts acknowledge, adding a few euros, you could buy a truly high quality wine.

The second mistake is that the same wine is bought from time to time and from year to year.

Here again, the Finns' inherent dislike for a long reflection on the choice of wine is affected. Most often, something that is already familiar is chosen in order to eliminate the danger of error and not to buy wine that is not to your liking. That is, when the Finnish buyer finds what he likes, he already tries not to change his choice.

The following common mistake is related to the order in which wine is consumed.

In most cases, wine is drunk immediately after the bottle is uncorked, when it has not yet had time to interact with the air. Because of this, the taste of the wine does not appear completely.

Wine should be poured into a decanter, or at least left open for a while, so that it can “breathe”, or rather, so that sulfur sulfites can get out of the wine.

As one of the Finnish experts put it, it’s very difficult for the Finns to open the wine a couple of hours before consumption, as if we were afraid that it would evaporate from the bottle.

From myself, I would like to add one more explanation of the mistakes made by the Finns in matters of selection and consumption of natural wines. I believe that these mistakes come not only from national character traits, but from the traditions that have developed in the country regarding alcohol consumption.

For hundreds of years, beer has remained the national drink of the Finns. In terms of its consumption, Finland is in ninth place in the world. About 85 liters of beer per person are drunk per year in the country. As for natural wine, it remains for the Finns a drink of the "second plan", the consumption of which is very insignificant in comparison with many other countries.
As a result, most people do not have the corresponding taste habits, the language is not prepared for evaluating the shades of the drink, and the desire to enjoy wine is not as strong as that of representatives of those peoples who are more familiar with it.

It is natural and understandable that under such conditions people buy wine cheaper. Buying expensive wine with an inability to appreciate its merits will be a waste of money. This can also explain the attachment to a particular type of wine. A person who does not have experience in the consumption of wines is justifiably afraid of changing the familiar variety to another, because for him it will be a blind choice.
In this regard, we can cite the example of the USSR and Russia, where vodka remains the unconditional national drink. Dry wine in Russia has always been drunk extremely rarely, and when choosing, they paid attention only to the price. But the choice of vodka was taken more seriously, just knowing which is better and which is worse. In many ways, the situation has remained the same to this day. Everything takes time.

If the popularity of red wine in Finland will grow, then the taste will naturally develop. And for this you do not need to immediately buy fine wines. The taste will develop on simple varieties of wine, there will be sensitivity to the shortcomings of the drink and its advantages. And then, of course, there will be a craving for the better.

In conclusion, I would like to touch on a topic related to wine and alcohol consumption in general. As a rule, alcohol and its use are associated with negativity, and this is justified in many cases. However, in fairness, one cannot ignore the positive that an alcoholic drink can give.

A study conducted at the University of Michigan, USA, led to the conclusion that alcohol helps ... strengthen marital relations. It was found that couples who drink alcohol together are happier than those who do not have a tendency to such a common pastime.
It also turned out that the closer the tastes of the parties in terms of drinking, the higher the positive effect.

Finnish food tastes better

In Finland, there has been an increase in the popularity of domestic food products.

The Finnish media and public opinion centers have found an inexplicable connection between the entry into force of Russian economic sanctions, expressed in the restriction of food imports from the EU, and the behavior of Finnish consumers. Residents of Finland, it turns out, began to more actively buy domestic products, giving them preference over imported ones.
A rather large-scale study was devoted to this issue, during which persons aged 15 to 70 years were interviewed.

The greatest commitment to domestic products was demonstrated by people over 56 years old. In this age group, more than 70 percent of respondents expressed their desire to buy mainly Finnish products. However, young people, in this regard, are not too far behind veterans. In the age group from 15 to 22 years, more than 50 percent of respondents showed their preference for their own products.

The survey was conducted at the end of August, literally 2-3 weeks after the entry into force of Russian economic sanctions. This is probably why the growth of consumer patriotism began to appear as a reaction to the actions of Russia.
But how exactly could Russian sanctions rally the Finns around a domestic producer? This is difficult to explain. Their only real impact on the Finnish consumer market is that a lot of relatively cheap products were destined for shipment to the Russian Federation.

Demand for these goods was really high, and this somewhat affected the increase in the share of domestic products in total sales. But this is not a momentary surge, but a significant change in the mood of the mass consumer.
If this is a protest against Russian actions, then the form of his expression looks rather strange. Russian food products are presented on the Finnish market in a scanty assortment and in the same scanty amount. We are talking mainly about several types of canned goods, which are bought, first of all, by the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Finland.

For the vast majority of Finnish customers, Russian products are actually exotic and completely unfamiliar to them. So, a change of preferences in favor of domestic products could not harm the Russian side.
Imported products on the Finnish shelves are mainly represented by products from Spain, Sweden, Germany and other Western countries. Therefore, refusing to import in favor of their own food, the Finns are attacking not their Russia, but their EU partners.

It seems that in this case it is not a real relationship between Russian sanctions and Finnish consumer behavior, but a simple coincidence. Sanctions may have been the impetus that gave some additional acceleration to the growth of patriotism of buyers. But no more than that.
The main reason for the revealed phenomenon lies, apparently, in another.
As it turned out, the growing popularity of domestic products in Finland has been observed for more than two years. And this is no coincidence.
It was about two years ago that Finnish society, as if waking up from a long oblivion, realized the whole dramatic nature of the situation in which the economy found itself after a recession that lasted morSubsequently, external problems related to the exchange of sanctions between the EU and the Russian Federation were added to domestic economic difficulties. The situation began to look very difficult. And this has a special effect on people's moods.
The fact is that the character of the small northern people has the ability to sharply increase cohesion in the face of serious problems or troubles. And the more difficult the situation, the more united and more stable the society becomes.
The Finns demonstrated this quality both during the war of independence, and during the period of the reflection of Stalinist aggression, and in the post-war period, when the USSR was able to pay a clearly exorbitant indemnity in a short time.

The current situation, of course, cannot be compared with these historical examples, but it is already serious enough to give an impulse to awaken a sense of national unity. The people rally again in the face of difficulties. The increased consumer patriotism is most likely due to this.
Another fact revealed in the August study is evidence that the growing interest in domestic products is not related to Russian sanctions. It turns out that, in addition to their own products, Finnish citizens have become more supportive of domestic services, giving them preference over foreign ones.

If this trend in the development of consumer addictions is strengthened, then this will undoubtedly serve to boost the Finnish economy.
I would like for the current difficulties for the Russians to provide the same incentive in terms of maintaining their own producer and economic growth.e than 10 years.

The first snow fell in northwestern Lapland

The thickness of the snow cover is several centimeters.

Not far from the village of Karesuvanto in Enontekiyo municipality, the first snow fell on Wednesday. Reindeer breeder Per-Antti Lubba is currently at the local hills with her reindeer.

- Snow fell a few centimeters. It's foggy, cloudy and cold, ”says Labba.

For local reindeer herders, the first snow in the second half of September was not a surprise.

“It often snows here this week, but it still has time to melt many times before the start of this winter.”

Last year, the first snow fell in Kilpisjärvi on September 25th.

According to meteorologists Yle, while there is no official data on snowfall in Lapland. According to meteorological radars and traffic cameras, snow or sleet fell in Enontekiyo.

The snow, however, melted immediately. On the hills, a small amount of snow may have accumulated. There is no information about the thickness of a possible snow cover.

Rainfall in the form of snow or wet snow is expected in northern Lapland in the coming days, meteorologists Yle said.

Women and men in the same barracks.

The Finnish Ministry of Defense is planning an experiment in which urgent male and female military personnel will be housed in the single sleeping quarters of the barracks. To ensure privacy, for example, in case of a change of linen, it is planned to use screens. At the same time, at least two people of the same gender are required to be placed in the general barracks.

According to the military, the law adopted in 1995 is fundamentally outdated. According to the current charter, it is necessary for women to organize separate sleeping quarters, which, in the opinion of representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Union of Conscripted Military Forces, does not contribute to the development of equality and the strengthening of team spirit.

However, this rule has more exceptions, because now women and men share sleeping space in exercises, in the field and other special conditions, as well as while serving on the Navy ships.

The experiment is under development and its details are only being specified. It is only known that it will be held simultaneously in various military units throughout Finland.

Recall that in 2018, a record number of female persons filed an application for military service - 1,500 people. A year earlier - 1,126, and in 2016 - 842 girls.

What does health depend on?

In 2018, under the auspices of the Department of Health, a study called FinTerveys was conducted in Finland. This study is conducted regularly and aims to check the health status of the population in various regions of Finland and in the country as a whole.

The study in question is, by far, the freshest in the series of such events in the health sector.

The results of the study were generally positive. They say that Finland’s health status continues to improve.

The pace of improvement in 2017 slowed somewhat compared to the previous two years, but this slowdown is not significant. The movement in the positive direction continues.

When conducting research for each specific area, the incidence index was determined. This is the name of an indicator that displays the incidence rate in the region in relation to the average incidence rate in the country. At the same time, the incidence rate in the country was indicated by the number 100.

The list of diseases examined during each study includes oncological and cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the organs of motion, mental problems and dementia. All these diseases belong to diseases that are called national.

The magnitude of the danger of each of these diseases is determined on the basis of the following factors:

Impact of the disease on mortality statistics

Impact of the spread of the disease on the number of sick leave and on quality of life

The scale of funds spent on the fight against the disease.

When comparing the situation in cities with a population of more than 50 thousand people, it turned out that the healthiest citizens live in Espoo (incidence index 73), Helsinki (81) and Vantaa (83). All these three cities have long merged with each other and represent, in fact, a single metropolitan center.

Among the most disadvantaged, in terms of public health, were cities such as Kuopio, (129), Oulu (115), Joensuu (114) and Kotka (113).

Comparison of the health status of the population of different regions showed that the residents of the Alansky Islands (63), the capital region (83) and the Pohyanmaa region, located on the western coast of the Gulf of Bothnia with the center in the city of Vaasa, turned out to be the healthiest (89).

The highest incidence rate was found in regions such as Pohjoys-Savo (130), Pohjoys-Karjala (122), Pohjoys-Pohjanmaa (122), Kainuu (118) and Lappi (115).

It was also noted that the incidence index increases with distance from the southern and western regions of the country towards the north-western regions.

Although the incidence index for Finland as a whole has decreased, the degree of its decrease in different places is not always the same.

In recent years, the incidence rate in the country has decreased by 16 percent. At the same time, in the top ten, in terms of population health, it became 36 percent lower, but in ten lagging areas the decrease was only 5 percent. According to experts, such unevenness is based on such reasons as living conditions, lifestyle, hereditary factors and differences in the degree of effectiveness of the work of health authorities.

The study showed that the education of the population also affects the level of its incidence.

Among people with higher education, health problems are much less than among people with only a primary level of compulsory education.

In this regard, I would like to note that this circumstance cannot be a matter of pride for more educated people.

Of course, it is more difficult for a driver of a heavy truck, who sleeps at customs in a truck cab, or a welder who inhales metal combustion products, to maintain his health than an office worker or a person who studies, for example, the problems of globalization.

It seems that people studying public health issues need not only to compare numbers and indicators, but to go, so to speak, to the people, getting acquainted with those areas of work where the threat to the health and even the lives of workers is most real and concrete.

Among such areas requiring close attention should be construction, dyeing and chemical production, deforestation, many transportation sectors, metal and metalworking, work of personnel in homes of disabled people, etc.

It is strange that, exploring a wide variety of topics, ranging from artificial intelligence to animal dreams, researchers bypass the topic of the impact of work on the health status of workers, as well as the theme of the development of occupational diseases.

At least in the media, these issues are not in sight. So when conducting the FinTerveys study, the incidence rates were compared by region, not by occupation.

But it is precisely the people who work in uncomfortable and, at times, hazardous to health conditions, create the very GDP in its final form. That’s the budgetfrom which funds are allocated to finance institutions and the large state apparatus.

A healthy lifestyle is not only good nutrition and proper leisure. In many cases, the workplace and working conditions have a decisive influence on the health status of thousands of people. This effect is often so significant that it can negate the benefits of proper nutrition and morning jogging.

Best beer

Finland's best beer - Kuopio Brewery wins decisively

The competition for the best beer was held for the ninth time.

The best Finnish beer of 2019 was Groteski-olut produced by the Iso-Kallan Panimo brewery.

This Piwo Grodziskie style beer is distinguished by its moderate alcohol content, as well as the aroma of wheat beer and haze.

“According to the jury, this fresh and interesting beer is the undisputed winner of the finals,” said the chairman of the jury, Mariaa Nelimarkka, in a press release.

This year 46 breweries took part in the competition and offered 300 types of beer.

CNN: Entrepreneur from Rovaniemi plans to open a pop-up hotel at the North Pole

You can book a hotel room at the North Pole for 100,000 euros.

Luxury Action from Rovaniemi next spring will open a pop-up hotel at the North Pole, according to CNN. The luxury travel company will transport ten heated snow-ice igloos to the North Pole. Hotels advertise under the name North Pole Igloos.

Company founder Janne Honkanen says in an interview with CNN that the North Pole has long been the most exclusive tourism destination in the world, but there are no options for comfortable accommodation. About 1,000 people visit the North Pole annually, but they usually sleep in cold tents.

Most of the year it is impossible to travel to the North Pole, but in April helicopters can land there, which means that goods and people can be transported to the North Pole.

The North Pole Igloos Hotel will be open only in April. The igloo and tourists will be transported from the Norwegian part of Svalbard.

According to Honkanen, the hotel has, among other things, a warm toilet, a cook and customer service staff.

Despite all the comfort, the character of a traveler-explorer is required from clients.