The Week of Wellbeing Arrives at the Perfect Moment

The idea was initiated by our lived experience coordinator, Sirpa Sinisalo, who wanted to strengthen a culture of positive feedback at Niemikotisäätiö. Sirpa is training to become a work supervisor, and the theme has been present in her studies as well. We met with Sirpa at Malmitalo to talk about the topic.

“I realized how easy it is to give feedback when something goes wrong—so why is it so difficult to say something positive?” Sirpa reflects.
She recalls how the idea started gaining momentum.
“It’s not just a one-off event; it’s part of building a culture where people can truly thrive.”

The Week of Wellbeing aligns naturally with the recovery-oriented approach that guides Niemikotisäätiö’s work. Recovery orientation emphasizes a person’s strengths, sense of meaning, and potential for growth. Sometimes everyone needs a little help in recognizing their own strengths.

Behind the theme lies a solid understanding of how individuals and communities function. Research in positive psychology shows that wellbeing grows when we pay attention to strengths, gratitude, and positive emotions.

“Wellbeing is exactly what we want to strengthen,” Sirpa says.
When we direct our attention to what is good, it begins to grow. Noticing the good is not always easy.
“I think of it as a brain skill—something you need to practice,” Sirpa reminds us.

When we praise and encourage others, we strengthen their sense of capability. When we participate together, we build a sense of belonging. And when it happens voluntarily, it also supports autonomy.

Trust and reciprocity nurture positivity. When a community shares positive feedback, it increases willingness to cooperate and builds a sense of safety.

“Good feelings are contagious,” Niina smiles. 

Building a Structure for Wellbeing 

During the week, each unit will explore themes of appreciation and gratitude in different ways. Every day has its own small task. These tasks were developed by Elina Salo from the editorial team of Hyvä mieli magazine and the me/us-team.

We also encourage everyone to create a compliment wall, where people can leave messages for themselves or others.

“We want to lower the threshold: feeling good doesn’t require big words. It can be something as simple as ‘I cooked good potatoes today,’” Sirpa laughs.

Why Now?

The timing is no coincidence.

“The darkness of autumn and the year-end rush take a toll on many people,” Sirpa notes. “That’s why this is the perfect moment to pause and notice what’s working and what we can feel grateful for.”

Niina adds:

“In summer, at least for me, it’s easier to feel well.”

A Starting Point for Change

The Week of Wellbeing is not a single campaign—it’s the beginning of a long-term cultural shift.

“We want this to become part of everyday life,” Sirpa emphasises. “Noticing the good should become a habit, not an exception.”

The theme week will become a recurring part of our activities, and Hyvä mieli magazine will continue to highlight these themes annually toward the end of the year.