Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word meaning ‘free-air life‘ or ‘open-air living’. This term was first used by poet Henrik Ibsen, who emphasized the importance of devoting time to nature through his poem. Today this concept has gained profound importance and is trending. During the pandemic, people were forced to stay indoors, increasingly dependent on virtual screens with no other options.
Being in nature provides mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being and stability. Friluftsliv is common in Scandinavian countries(Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands). These countries are top in the world happiness report. Friluftsliv is comparable to forest bathing practiced in Japan and forest therapy, which is famous worldwide. Of late, people baffled by home and office life are realizing the importance of connecting with nature, the only way to get real happiness and tranquility.
Friluftsliv activities range from adventurous skiing and trekking to restful sunbathing or walking on grass barefoot or spending a night or afternoon under the sky. Friluftsliv has a profound positive impact on mental, physical, and emotional health with a prophylactic effect on known and unknown diseases. So here are the eight benefits of Friluftsliv or open-air living.
Helps in dopamine detox
Dopamine detox or fasting is a fact-based technique to treat addictive behaviors by confining them to a specific duration and fasting from impulsively engaging activities to regain behavioral flexibility. California psychiatric Dr. Cameron Sepah popularized this. This technique is very helpful in getting rid of harmful habits such as emotional eating, excessive Internet usage, gambling, shopping, and recreational drugs. Through ‘open-air living,’ one gets more and more connected with nature, which gives one a realization of calmness and the importance of life without impulsive habits. It shows that life can be celebrated outdoors without mobile and network connectivity.
For healthy microbiome
It is interesting to know that a healthy body is a natural home for millions and trillions of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses collectively called microbiomes. It can weigh up to 3kg in the human body! They mainly reside in the gut, air pipe, lungs, and skin surface. These microbiomes are very important for our health and wellness. For example, our gut microbiome helps digestion and absorption of food nutrients.
Studies have shown that imbalances in our microbiome, a condition called dysbiosis, lead to various types of respiratory diseases and allergies. Dysbiosis can best be stabilized by taking nature trips to forests or landscapes away from home. One study involving children found that going outdoors for ten weeks improved their microbiome with a stronger connection with nature.
Good for bone health and boost immunity
With lots of sunshine, outdoor activities passively increase our vitamin D3 levels. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is manufactured in the skin by a reaction of dehydrocholesterol with UV radiation present in sunlight. Vitamin D, also called the sunshine vitamin, is responsible for the healthy mineralization of our bones. Studies have shown that vitamin D is essential for our immune system. A study has shown that vitamin D3 reduces the risk of several autoimmune diseases and infections, such as tuberculosis. With Friluftsliv lifestyles, one can assure of getting stronger bones and, ultimately, longevity with a better immune system and can avoid many vitamin D supplements simultaneously.
Aids in weight loss
Friluftsliv lifestyle or forest therapy boosts metabolism considerably as our circadian rhythm sync with nature’s clock. It helps to change one’s chronotype from night owls to early birds. A study found that being a night owl increases the risk of insulin resistance, which directly affects one’s metabolism and leads to diseases like stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases in the long run. Moreover, activities like walking, trekking, swimming, etc., further aid in weight loss. Even sunbathing helps in losing extra pounds. A study reports that sunlight shrinks fat cells and can help lose weight.
Decreases stress hormones
Frantic schedules on weekdays upshots in building up the cortisol level in the blood. This is often compensated with long indoor parties or hours of virtual screen on weekends which is perceived as a way to distress results in a spike of dopamine release, aggravating anxiety and exhaustion in the long run. Going outdoors and practicing Friluftsliv provides calmness by releasing serotonin and endorphins. It gives a feeling of contentment and balance. Mental problems like depression and anxiety go away, and one can feel a state of balance within.
Improves memory and concentration in kids
A comparative study on the impact on students’ perception of indoor and outdoor learning concluded that outdoor education has a more effective and influential impact on students’ academic performance. Moreover, it was observed that students were more interested in outdoor learning with a wide range of opportunities to observe, explore, and make connections with their education. Outdoor activities and excursions develop problem-solving creativity and analytical thinking skills among kids. Besides better performance in academics, the Friluftsliv lifestyle goes a long way in developing their personality and character.
Improves work efficiency and productivity
Taking a break from our usual work routine and going outskirts gives space to our mind, which is preoccupied with work stress. These gaps enable our mind to perceive our work script with a new and more efficient perspective, contrary to the ideology that it is a waste of time that would have increased work productivity.
Taking sabbaticals improves employee motivation and morale and helps deal with job burnout situations. In a study published in the Journal of Education for Business, the author examined various forms of sabbaticals in diverse industries and concluded that it positively affects business organizations and employees.
Expands healthy aura
An aura is like an invisible hug around us, made of energy. It’s like a bubble of feelings and health that goes a little way from our body. How we feel and how healthy we are can connect to our aura. When our aura is strong, we feel good in our body and mind. Being in a good place helps our health and thoughts. Our aura takes good and bad vibes from people we meet and places we go. When we’re in busy places or around not-so-nice people, our aura can become smaller.
Friluftsliv is the magical way to fix and grow our aura. When we’re in nature, with happy feelings all around us, our aura gets better and bigger. It’s like nature makes our aura strong, and that helps us feel super happy and full of energy in life.
Final words
In this new time after the pandemic, lots of folks are choosing healthier ways to live, like the natural lifestyle and holistic lifestyle. These ways help us handle stress and even heal our insides. Practices like friluftslivs can really help in these ways of living. They can fill our life with strong energy that changes us from the inside. It’s like they help our inner self meet the big world outside. So, keep going! You’re on a wonderful journey to a brighter, more connected life.
I hope this information was helpful!
If you want to read more of our content, please visit our blog
Featured Image by jcomp on Freepik
DISCLAIMER – The tips provided are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.
