Storfjord, Norway

What is the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv & how can you incorporate it into your travels?

Translating as ‘free air life’, friluftsliv is more about having an intrinsic relationship with nature and spending as much time as possible outdoors.

Ask a Norwegian their thoughts on spending time outdoors during the winter months, and they’ll more than likely tell you ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.’ Many people in Norway enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, wild swimming and skiing as part of their daily routines, spending as much time in nature as possible, all year round. Of course, they are surrounded by beautiful landscapes – even those who live in cities only need to make a short journey to find themselves in the wilderness – but there is much more to friluftsliv than simply having access to nature.

Akin to the Danish hygge and Swedish fikafriluftsliv is a Norwegian lifestyle concept that does not have a direct translationRather than simply meaning ‘free air life’ or ‘outdoor life’, friluftsliv expresses the close relationship that Norwegians have with nature and how they prioritise time spent outdoors. It doesn’t just mean being outdoorsy, however; it’s more about interacting with your surroundings and relishing the fresh air. This deep love of nature is embedded in them from an early age, as outdoor activities are encouraged by every aspect of society, from families to schools.

It’s no wonder that Norway consistently finds itself in the top 10 on the list of the happiest countries in the world, according to the annual World Happiness Report. It’s well documented that spending time outdoors, especially amongst nature can improve both our mental and physical health. For example, the Japanese tradition of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) is known to reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness, boost creativity, lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.

Although enjoying time in nature is innate to Norwegians, friluftsliv is something that everyone can aspire to, and one simple way to incorporate the concept into your own life is through your travels. When we travel, we already tend to spend more time outdoors, exploring and admiring our surroundings – we just need to take this one step further and consider how we are spending this time. Lazing on a sun lounger doesn’t count – you need to interact with your surroundings and enjoy activities such as hiking, horseback riding or paddleboarding.

Photographs by Andrew & Gemma Ingalls from a wild swim and sauna session in Norway

Where to stay for friluftsliv

Arctic Bath, Harads – Sweden

This unique hotel in Swedish Lapland boasts luxury rooms that hover above the water (or ice, depending on when you visit) situated around a statement floating spa that offers traditional treatments and an arctic ice bath. Guests at Arctic Bath can spend most of their days outdoors, enjoying dog sledding, snow shoeing, moose safaris and cross-country skiing.

Arctic Bath

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