Enter friluftsliv (pronounced free-loofts-liv). It literally means “free air life,” and the concept is part of Norwegian culture. You’ll find nearly a million Instagram posts tagged with #friluftsliv full of forests, gorgeous landscapes, and people hiking, canoeing, camping, and otherwise exploring the great outdoors. The idea behind friluftsliv (and friluftsliving) is to be out in the fresh air to commune with nature, even when the weather’s not great. As the days grow colder and shorter, our activity options usually grow narrower. Spending a couple of hours outdoors per week has been shown to improve stress levels and give your physical and mental health a boost (who doesn’t need to improve their stress levels and health?). And if you’re deciding between taking a walk or adding another hour to your daily screen time, some time outdoors—even if the weather isn’t ideal—is probably better for your mental health. If you’re more of a hygge fan than a brave-the-outdoors type, there are ways to make enjoying the great outdoors more palatable. Add a little friluftsliving to your life—here’s how. RELATED: Create the Ultimate Outdoor Patio Setup for Fall Entertaining
