Norway's 'Frilustsliv' Made Me Happier And Healthier: 7 Ways To Experience More Nature

First made popular in the 1850s by playwright Henrik Ibsen in his poem On The Heights, the term “frilustsliv” (pronounced free-lufts-liv) roughly translates to “open-air living”. 

The term is necessarily broad. Per the BBC, it can include everything from taking a lunchtime walk to going camping on the weekend – the point is not to stick to a prescriptive number of minutes or steps a day, but to change your entire attitude to nature. 

It is also, the Guardian writes, a “year-long commitment”. That could mean frosty winter walks, heading to a forest to look at emerging daffodils, or listening to birdsong in your local park, no matter the weather. 

It does not always require rigorous physical activity, which was what drew me to it after a foot injury that made my previous running routine redundant. Gazing at a lake or eating by a campfire counts, too.

Since trying my hardest to adopt the practice, I’ve felt happier, healthier, and calmer – a combination some studies say is almost inevitable after embracing the great outdoors. 

Why is ‘frilustsliv’ so good for us? 

A frilustsliv lifestyle seems structurally easier in Norway, where a combination of high forest cover, a nature-friendly work culture, a right to roam, and plenty of outdoor volunteer groups has led to a remarkably outdoorsy population.

But even in the rainy UK, I’ve found ways to spend more time outside (not least because I feel put to shame by snow-stomping Scandinavians).

With a reduced ability to jog, I’ve spent more time wandering mindfully through my local wilderness. A 2022 student study found that 30 minutes of present walking improved participants’ sleep and mood. 

Listening to birdsong appears to make walks healthier, too, which I missed with my previous, more transactional and stat-based relationship to nature.

And learning to love wildlife no matter the weather – even in a year of endless storms – has had its benefits, too. Taking a lunchtime walk in winter is especially important for keeping your vitamin D stores high and boosting your mood.

Often, frilustsliv involves physical activity, which is great for everything from our hearts to bones and brains. It can sometimes include other people, and we know that companionship is key to longevity (we might push ourselves harder in group exercise settings, too).

But even if all you do is sit outdoors, some research says that can still go a long way. Exposure to nature can help to keep us calm, improve our sleep, and boost focus.

No wonder I’ve felt less stressed and more able to stay consistently active since giving frilustsliv a go.

How can I incorporate “frilustsliv” into my life? 

A 2019 paper found that spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature seems to be good for our mental and physical wellbeing.

Happily, it doesn’t seem to matter whether you do it in big chunks or little pieces – “weekend warriors” may benefit just as much as “movement snackers”. 

There are no set rules for how to do this, aside from “get outside if you can”. 

But some expert suggestions, if you’re unsure where to start, include: 

1. Walking on your lunch break or on your commute to work.
2. Taking a stroll around the block (or a local park) when you have free time.
3. Incorporating nature into your routine, i.e., through morning Tai Chi.
4. Meditating or staying mindful in nature.
5. Volunteering to care for wildlife or getting involved in an outdoor group.
6. Eating some meals outdoors.
7. Growing or harvesting food.