Embracing Friluftsliv: The new Nordic way to disconnect and recharge

Scandinavian trends influence our lives. They are present in fashion and interior design, and lately, they have increasingly impacted our lifestyle.

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about Danish hygge – a trend that involves finding happiness in everyday activities. This idea, which is based on appreciating simple pleasures, such as drinking coffee on the terrace on a sunny day or reading a book under a blanket on a chilly evening, is meant to teach us how to relax in a simple way.

Now, the new Scandinavian trend on top is friluftsliv, which comes from Norway. What does this mysterious term mean?

The word friluftsliv dates back to the 19th century, and it was coined by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, who used it in one of his poems: "På vidderne" ("On the Mountain Tops", 1859). Friluftsliv, 'life in the open air', is an old Norwegian tradition of living close to nature. The word consists of three parts. The first part – "fri" – translates to free, the second – "luft" to air, and the third – "liv" to life. This term can thus be translated as: life in the open air.

Some call friluftsliv a philosophy, while others treat this tradition as a way of relaxing, a form of rest that positively affects both physical and mental health. Regardless of how it is perceived, this trend brings many benefits. It is an excellent method of calming down, relaxing, and escaping from too many stimuli. Friluftsliv involves spending time without phones, tablets, and computers. It gathers enthusiasts of outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking, kayaking, or camping. The advantage of this approach is being in the bosom of nature, accompanied by the motto: "there is no bad weather, only bad clothes."

Research conducted by Kantar TNS (June 2024) reports that 77% of citizens of this Scandinavian country engage in various outdoor activities every week. 25% of respondents spend time outdoors every day. Interestingly, Norwegian studies on the living conditions of residents revealed that in the past year, 25% of Norwegians spent at least one night in nature. The sight of people with backpacks heading to spend time in nature surprises no one.

The data speaks for itself – Norwegians highly value time spent in nature and treat it as an essential element of their culture and daily life. Such an approach is particularly commendable, considering the weather conditions in Norway. It certainly cannot be said that the weather is conducive to this, quite the contrary – the weather in this country is rather unfriendly and highly variable.

Adverse conditions do not deter residents from enjoying being outside. According to this year's "World Happiness Report" prepared for the UN, Norway is in the top ten happiest countries in the world (seventh place on the list).

According to research by Kantar TNS, up to 83% of Norwegians confirm their interest in friluftsliv. It should come as no surprise that in Norway, there is a nationwide organization called Norsk Friluftsliv, which has over 950,000 members and 500 outdoor clubs. The organization aims to promote spending time in nature and using the environment while adhering to ecological principles.

To practise friluftsliv, you must learn and fall in love with using nature according to Norwegian philosophy. How can you do that? First of all, it is worth leaving the house and engaging in outdoor activities. Biking, kayaking, walking, playing ball, running – anything outside falls into the friluftsliv trend. We are not afraid of the weather; it is enough to take care of appropriate clothing and preparation. If possible, escape the city to the bosom of nature, where you can enjoy greenery and fresh air. It is best if there is no mobile phone signal, as it will not be needed – phones, computers, and tablets should be left at home to focus more on enjoying nature. We eliminate distractions and minimise stimuli by giving up all electronic tools and communicators. Friluftsliv is all about deriving pleasure from being outdoors and learning to relax regardless of the weather.