WHAT IS FRILUFTSLIV? THE NORWEGIAN PHILOSOPHY OF EMBRACING THE OUTDOORS

It’s time to embrace the Scandinavian idea of friluftsliv instead of hygge.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

I was awakened by the familiar silence of snow this morning rather than a familiar sound. that lovely, spotless blanket that envelops the landscape in serene repose. I opened the bedroom window’s curtain while still feeling sleepy, and as I pushed my face closer to the drafty window (a good indication that it’s probably time to install storm windows), I caught a whiff of the lovely, chilly, new scent of snow. One of my preferred scents.

Even I would agree that October 30th is too early for snow. After all, Autumn still has about 8 weeks left. However, this early blizzard made me feel as though nature had wrapped up a special gift just for me. We need more crisp, clear blue sky and crunching underfoot leaves. I enjoy snow.

After rushing through my morning ritual, I put on my winter boots, hat, and coat and stepped outside for a leisurely stroll in the snow before I had even finished my coffee. Those of you who live in the Northeast are undoubtedly cursing my upbeat appreciation of this chilly, soggy inconvenience that falls from the sky for what seems like half the year.

I understand. It is chilly, wet, and slick, and it creates accidents and delays in traffic. We feel cooped up in our houses by it, forced to shovel it, clean it off our cars, drag our baby strollers and wheelchairs through it, and go grocery shopping in it.

Norwegians embrace the outdoors and nature as a way to cope with winter

Many of my friends have expressed anxiety about the impending winter and what it would entail for gathering outside with pals during the pandemic. The illness has already made us feel cooped up in our houses, and now we have another excuse. But what if a better option existed?

Translation of friluftsliv

The Norwegians refer to this as “free-air life,” or friluftsliv, and the philosophy’s central tenet is the idea that everyone should somehow interact with nature each and every day, regardless of whether it’s snowing, raining, or terribly cold outside.

Living in a place as dark, cold, and snowy as Norway may make this sound like an odd habit to adopt, but it’s a survival strategy, and if anything, the Norwegians increase their outdoor activities in the winter. If you can’t control the weather, embrace it, is their guiding principle.

And you need to prepare in order to embrace it correctly and safely. There is just lousy apparel, according to the Norwegians: “There is no such thing as bad weather.” They create some of the best outerwear in the world as a result. We’re talking about parkas with built-in heating components, packable waterproof gear, warm snow boots, stunning hand-knit wool mittens, and so much more.

Translation and Pronunciation of Friluftsliv

Even if leaving your warm, cozy nest isn’t always tempting, especially in inclement weather, practicing friluftsliv doesn’t require you to be miserable. You don’t even have to be a skier or a mountaineer to participate. It’s OK that not everyone can hike in a snowstorm due to physical limitations. Friluftsliv includes activities like yard maintenance, brisk walks around the block, using outdoor hot tubs, sauna, and just opening windows to let in the cool, fresh air.

There are opportunities to interact with nature even in the heart of the metropolis. When you go for a walk in your neighborhood, always choose a different path. Purchase a field guide or an app to help you identify the trees and plants that are growing next to the sidewalk or in public green spaces. The variety of flora that are flourishing right there in the city will amaze you. Even some of them might be tasty or therapeutic!

Being in tune with nature

Going outside during all four seasons allows you to observe the ongoing changes in the surroundings you have grown accustomed to. Then the snow crunches beneath your feet as it melts and shows all the new shoots and buds of spring, and the cycle repeats itself as you watch the leaves change and the animals go in search of foo

How to Deal With Winter

Seeing these natural ebbs and flows can be comforting when it feels like we’re stuck in an unending challenge. With the pandemic forcing most of us to forgo the usual family gatherings of the winter holiday season, this winter already feels like it will be long and isolating. We can and should take steps now to bolster our spirits and help provide structure to our days, so I urge you to get out there and friluftsliv your way through these dark days and stormy nights. You just might find that you love snow as much as I do.