Friluftsliv - ‘Open-Air Living'
2nd October 2022
“In the lonely mountain farm,
My abundant catch I take.
There is a hearth, and table,
And friluftsliv for my thoughts.”
— Henrik Ibsen, On The Heights (1859)
The Scandinavian equivalent of ‘Shinrin-yoko’ (Forest Bathing) is called ‘Friluftsliv’ (pronounced free-lufts-leav) and translates into English as ‘free air life’ or ‘open-air living’.
The term was first coined by the poet Henrik Ibsen in 1859, who used the term to describe the physical, psychological and spiritual benefits that you get from spending time in the outdoors. Today it is increasingly recognised as a way to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing, and is now used to describe being outdoors and (re)connecting with the natural landscape. However, this has also brought about a great (and unnecessary) commercialisation of the concept. It is not about equipment, or extreme outdoor activities - quite the reverse - it requires no equipment and can be described as ‘as state of mind that doesn't require any physical activity - all that is needed is to be in nature’. In essence, Friluftsliv is the Scandinavian belief that by spending time outdoors in nature, we are returning ‘home’, and helping to balance out our lives.
The Scandinavian countries usually appear at the top of the rankings in the World Happiness Report, and this appreciation of nature is seen as a contributing factor in this. Friluftsliv is perceived more as a way of life than a specific philosophy in Scandinavia. Flexible working policies are common, allowing people to engage in friluftsliv when it is light and work when it is dark. Whereas the Danish term ‘Hygge’ emphasises togetherness, relaxation, and comfort, friluftsliv empasises the human need to interact with nature.
Both Forest Bathing and friluftsliv go beyond just being active outdoors, and involve a degree of mindfulness, and a desire to connect with nature on a deeper level. They are a state of mind that doesn't necessarily require physical activity, just to ‘be in the moment’ in nature, without external distractions such as emails and texts and provides a break and respite from the pressures of daily life.
Similarly to Scotland, Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden have ‘right to roam’ laws or allmansrätten (everyone’s right), permitting people to engage in exercise and camp practically anywhere as long as they do it respectfully and in an environmentally-friendly way. Both have also been visibly shaped by the forces of nature, both have stunning coastlines of fjords and sea lochs, rolling hills and mountains, small populations and climates warmed by air from the Gulf Stream. Friluftsliv is about people taking advantage of the opportunities and benefits to spending time outdoors and living in beautiful natural surroundings. It is about recognising that whilst being happy and healthy relies on a variety of factors, spending time outdoors can be one. Allmansrätten also gives people the right to pick natural resources such as berries and mushrooms, as well as enjoy greater access to nature and wildlife.
A problem that is highlighted in many places in Scandinavia is that they are some of the most digitally advanced economies in Europe. Extensive 4G mobile phone coverage means that there are few places where phone calls, emails and texts cannot get through if people do not consciously silence them. This freedom to work and check emails at all times is reported to be leading to a rise in stress levels as people cannot ‘switch off’ from work in the evening, on weekends, when on holiday, or when engaging in friluftsliv in the same way that they could in the past. However, phone apps do make it easier to plan outdoor activities and many people find that having a camera with them, and looking for inspiring pictures to take, adds an element of mindfulness to their friluftsliv, although we do suggest that you turn it off completely.
Whilst in some places it can be hard to escape the noise of traffic, airplanes and people going about their daily lives, here in Ardnamurchan we are fortunate that we can easily find peace and tranquility on our doorstep (other than the occasional low-level fly-by up the the loch by the RAF!).
We incorporate many of the values of Frilufstliv into our Forest-Bathing and Nature-Connection walks and also activities that we offer as part of our Social Croft programmes. We encourage people to switch of their mobile phones; live in the moment for a wee while with minimal distractions; experience connection with the natural environment; learn some mindfulness techniques; and discover how easily the power of nature can be harnessed to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing. Both Friluftsliv and Shinrin-Yoku require connectedness and participation with nature - without this people are just spectators. By encouraging people to use all their five senses to explore what is around them, we hope to help people to overcome this.
It should be noted that the quote at the top of the page is a literal translation of:
I den øde sæterstue,
al min rige fangst jeg sanker;
der er krak og der er grue,
friluftsliv for mine tanker.
When translated into English, in order for it to rhyme, it is usually translated as:
Here in this deserted dwelling
I have housed my wealth of treasure;
There’s a bench, a stove, sweet smelling
Air, and time to think at leisure.
If you wish to bring a little more friluftsliv in your life and increase your nature-connection, we have some useful resources in our store:
