Feeling stuck at home? Why not try friluftsliv…

What is friluftsliv? ( Originally posted on January 26, 2021)

Collins defines friluftsliv as “free air life” which refers to a Norwegian philosophy that is integrated into the fabric of their way of living.  It has been suggested in research (Mutz and Müller, 2016 in Journal of Adolescence) that applying frilufstliv in outdoor adventures (or activities that promote a sense of being in nature) can help increase satisfaction, happiness, mindfulness, and self-efficacy. 

Conversely, diminishing perceived stress and being able to concentrate is also linked by the preceding authors by the simple fact of putting distance with our “fast-paced” life we encounter more in urban settings. This “open-air living” approach can be as big or as small as you liked… as long you have an adventure in nature you’re set.

I am a “small-town” guy and have had easy access to nature during my upbringing. Taking this into account,  my experience of friluftsliv has been taken for granted where I assumed that it was a “just go out” moment.  Let’s unpack this a little together…

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How can a friluftsliv informed mindset help me better manage my physical and mental health?

During the confinement period of the pandemic, I set out to solidify my mental health while keeping my physical health maintained.  Back then, our social climate was promoting social distancing, but with hybrid work now, there’s also a strong link that encourages us to lean into self-isolation. 

When I came across friluftsliv, my initial thought was: “isn’t this just going outside?” …well it turns out it’s a bit more than that. Cue the dad in me saying “kids it’s time to get outside and go on an adventure… it’s good for you”

By looking deeper into the concept, this valued Norwegian philosophy brought me to reflect on how am I while I go outside.  This small shift in perspective triggered a new beginning with an old friend of sorts.

My way isn’t on the extreme side of the spectrum in regards to friluftsliv. In my quest for feeding my health, I needed to renegotiate what felt like second nature (pun intended) to be more at peace with my pandemic experience.  My quest here was to rediscover an old friend… my bicycle. Bike packing and gravel riding are the new raves in the cycling world.

This encourages the pushing of personal boundaries regarding cycling in nature while being on a “road bike”.  It turns out that I had undervalued how much going outside has helped over the years.  My way to practice friluftsliv was to go on a daily adventure on my bike without specific limits other than being able to come home to be present as my daughters got off the school bus.

How can I use this thought shift where I live now?

My quest has taken me to push my boundaries by biking into winter and exploring my region as much as I can. With friluftsliv, “adventure” is the name of the game. But if you’re not like me, there are many ways to embrace the experience of getting “lost” in your city, if you’re not able to go out and truly live a nature experience…make sure to respect your own comfort with regards to distancing.

• Build a social group and have a photography contest documenting the “best nature” in your big city… this can be an adventure as well.

• City parks are great places to socially distance ourselves while being able to see people. Just try and make a challenge outside that day (ex: build a snow structure).

• Go visit your local outdoor shop, when permissible by your governing body… or email them and ask for online classes or “meet-up” groups with new people trying to learn as well.

• Take a lunch hour, get dressed up and walk in your neighbourhood and try to be present and curious.

• Reconnect with a childhood outdoor activity and play like you just don’t care.

• Use a video platform to connect with friends while being outdoors… just be creative and try an attainable outdoor challenge.

• Take a walk in a dedicated green area while just “breathing” and taking a moment to reconnect with your thoughts and feelings… ie just be.

Take away…

Not to sound cliché but we are all in this together.  In our household, like many parents, we have decided to be intentional with our parenting and provide the best of us for them… during a moment that historically happens once in a hundred years.

Friluftsliv takes away my personal excuse to not go out because of the weather because in this philosophy there’s no bad weather but rather “bad clothing or accessories”.  It’s not an Olympic contest but rather an experience of just being outside, breathing fresh air, and holistically reaping the benefits.

Having rekindled this practice, I am promoting this with everyone I speak with, I can attest that being in nature in a daily or weekly way helps promote better emotional health while augmenting my physical and spiritual health.

Stay driven and vulnerable,

Louis-Philippe Landry, MA, RP, CCC.

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