Enjoy Freeluftleeve – Open Air Living in Norway
Look, we’re in this pandemic for a long time. As much as we want everything to be back to “normal” by the holidays, we actually need to buckle up for the winter . And in order to preserve our collective sanity, it is time to embrace life in the outdoors at any time of the year and in all temperatures.
While it was fairly easy to hike and camp or just go for a walk around the area in the spring and summer, it is much more difficult to get the motivation to go outside when it’s dark and cold.
Discover free-loofts-liv, the Norwegian concept of outdoor living in any weather. This includes changing the way you think about being outdoors, from fear of the cold to surprising your surroundings and preparedness for winter. Friluftsliv doesn’t require you to buy equipment or learn any new skills – it is a minimalist form of outdoor recreation .
We know that spending time in nature has a significant positive effect on our mental health, which may explain why Norwegians are so much happier than most. And in these times of COVID, the outside is truly the only place for social interaction, which is also important for our well-being.
If you are not (yet) a winter person, start slowly with friluftsliv:
- To tie. The key to being comfortable in the cold is to dress properly. You don’t need any fancy gear, but layers are key.
- Focus on the little things. Take a walk around the block, have a picnic on the terrace, or socialize in the park.
- Let the children play outside. Encourage children to join in the winter fun.
- Get out into nature. If there are trails nearby, keep using them. Or, if you’re into winter sports that you can safely practice, do it more.
- Leave your phone at home . This may not be an explicit requirement for friluftsliv, but disabling is in line with general ethics. Go outside for yourself, not for a gram.
You can balance that with hygge, a Danish coziness idea that became a buzzword in winter a few years ago. Like freelancing, hygge is not so much a concrete activity as a respect for winter and the opportunities it offers. While hygge is interpreted as a cozy blanket and coffee in front of the fire, it also means embracing winter fun and looking for joy in the little things.