You’ve heard of hygge and lagom, but have you heard of Friluftshiv?
Friluftshiv is a Norwegian concept, pronounced ‘Free-Loofts-Live’, which briefly translates as “free air life” and is the fundamental understanding of the healing effects of nature and the outdoors. To practice it, you must dedicate time spent outside and embrace nature as a way of life.
The benefits?
Well, it can make a big difference in your mental health, according to a Stanford study1. It found that people living in urban settings have been associated with rising rates of mental illness worldwide, however, a 90-minute walk in a natural setting was shown to decrease negative thoughts in depressed study participants. With urbanisation expected to jump to 70 percent by 20501, the idea of using nature as a potential therapy for mental illness has never been more relevant.
In the UK, Google searches for the ‘Friluftshiv’ term have increased 387% in the past year, with interest up 631% between August and October2. It’s worth noting that, despite the weather being more challenging for outdoor pursuits now, Friluftshiv is a year-round commitment rather than a fair-weather hobby.
In fact, the winter is the time when it can really help to be outdoors. The NHS recommends getting out in natural daylight and keeping active as key ways to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)3, a winter-time condition which affects 2 million people and is characterised by low mood, lethargy, irritability, social isolation and overeating.
To help you get started, the walking boot experts at Fitflop have compiled 5 easy ways to practice Friluftshiv during the winter months:
1) Find A Favourite Spot
Friluftsliv is rooted in mindfulness and connecting with nature, rather than physical activity, so it doesn’t have to be a 10 mile hike off-grid, or camping under the stars. All that is needed to experience this happy state is to be in the context of nature. This could be as simple as finding your favourite quiet park bench to sit at, watching ducks float around a pond, or tending to your garden whilst listening to birdsong. So, pick a spot that works for you and commit time regularly to sit, stand or walk there.
2) Make A Date Of It
Active first dates are popular with Norwegians, with couples choosing to visit cycling and hiking trails. So, rather than meet a date at your usual coffee shop, instead suggest a walk along the seafront, explore a National Trust nature trail, set up a bonfire and smores in the back garden, or even just move your coffee meet spot to your favourite park. You’ll be surprised by how much easier it is to talk with less noise and distractions around – and more romantic! Just be sure to set a no-phones rule.
3) Eat Alfresco
Food is an important component of friluftsliv, too, as everything tastes better when it’s eaten outside4. Ideally, this would include cooking something outside on an open fire but, in reality, bringing ready-made food to eat outside can work just as well – Norwegians actually have a brand of biscuit called Kvikk Lunsj (“quick lunch”), similar to our KitKat, which is popular for camping trips!
In winter, outdoor eating is easier to do at breakfast or lunch time rather than dinner, when the sun has already set and temperatures can drop quite significantly. Prep is key, so make yourself something delicious the night before work, and make a mental note of a calming, outdoor spot you will visit on your lunch break to enjoy eating it at, whilst enjoying the blissful benefits! At weekends, you can venture further afield and choose somewhere even more remote. Thermos flasks are great for keeping soups and stews warm for hours, and team well with some crusty bread for dipping.
4) Get Kitted Out
We all know how unpredictable the UK weather can be, often scuppering the best of plans. Being soggy and wet-through from a sudden downpour isn’t going to do wonders for your friluftshiv vibe, so planning for all weathers is wise. If heading out for a walk you’ll need comfortable walking shoes, a thermal base layer, a mid-layer and water-proof outer layers that can wick away moisture to keep you warm and dry. A hat, scarf and gloves are also great layers to add as can easily be stored in your pocket if too hot.
For longer hikes, you’ll need an essentials kit containing water, personal medication, snacks, a torch, a first aid kit, a survival blanket and a power bank for your phone.
5) Finish Early On A Friday
But not for after work pub drinks! No, we’re talking about ending the week with some outdoor exploration. Traditional office hours are 8am to 4pm in Norway, and many offices in the UK now offer early Friday finishes or flexible working, so take advantage of this perk.
Either use the time to enjoy a walk home instead, do a Friluftsliv date night idea (see above), or travel somewhere out of town for a couple of nights in nature. There’s plenty of fantastic places to stay, from a cosy converted shepherd’s hut in the middle of a field, to a cute English Heritage cottage bordered by snowdrops. If feeling energetic, you could even bring your bikes and find some new trails to explore.
References
1) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1510459112
3) https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/low-mood-and-depression/beating-the-winter-blues/
