For nearly two decades, I’ve found myself repeatedly urging my children, “Just go outside and play! Embrace nature! Get out of this house!” It seems instinctually wrong to confine energetic little bodies within the four walls of their home. Yet, many children in our country, even those who engage in competitive outdoor sports, primarily experience life indoors.
This issue extends beyond just the kids; parents too are often glued to screens, catching glimpses of the sky only through car windows or the brief moments spent in parking lots while shuffling kids in and out of stores. Perhaps this is a contributing factor to the rising stress, anxiety, and depression among both children and their caregivers.
However, this isn’t the case everywhere. In fact, while I was urging my kids to explore the outdoors, I was unknowingly implementing a well-regarded Scandinavian parenting concept known as “friluftsliv” (pronounced FREE-loofts-leav). This lifestyle gained traction in Scandinavia post-World War II, as people sought refuge from urbanization and longed to reconnect with nature.
Translating to “free-air life,” friluftsliv has become deeply embedded in Scandinavian culture, particularly in parenting. In Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, it’s common to witness adults cycling to work and enjoying lunch breaks on nature trails, while preschoolers play outdoors in weather conditions that might deter even polar bears. A popular Swedish adage states, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” reflecting their unwavering love for the outdoors, which contributes to their overall health and happiness.
The Benefits of Nature
So, what is it about nature that rejuvenates our spirits, recharges our minds, and restores our natural rhythms? Linda Jensen, the author of “There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Guide to Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids,” articulates it succinctly: “We have internal biological clocks that synchronize with nature’s rhythms, functions that our modern lifestyles suppress.” In other words, humans are not designed to be confined indoors, staring at screens all day.
In her work, Jensen elaborates on the emotional benefits families, especially children, can derive from spending more time outdoors and engaging in a friluftsliv lifestyle. Unfortunately, American children have limited opportunities for such experiences, as outdoor time in schools is often restricted, and the time they do have is frequently consumed by organized sports—an aspect not aligned with friluftsliv.
Children truly benefit from unstructured outdoor play, which fosters self-esteem, curiosity, and creativity. The Swedish government emphasizes that friluftsliv is about enjoying nature without the pressure to compete or achieve. Regrettably, many American parents hesitate to let their kids play outside due to unfounded fears—be it over safety concerns regarding playgrounds or anxiety over potential accidents or abductions. Jensen urges parents to relax these fears for the sake of their children’s resilience. “When children play in nature, they are often calm yet alert, and statistically, it’s no more dangerous today for kids to play outside than it was in the past. Our perception of danger has simply been amplified by media coverage of unfortunate incidents.”
In the U.S., children are often confined indoors, adversely affecting their natural dispositions, as well as those of their parents. Nature calls to us, yet school and work policies frequently hinder our connection to it. Jensen advocates for proactive measures to embrace the benefits of outdoor play, especially by parents, teachers, and caregivers who can influence policymakers and shape public green spaces and preschool regulations.
Embracing Friluftsliv
Our relationship with nature should be inherent, not an occasional privilege we have to plead for. So the next time you find yourself exclaiming, “Go outside and play, for heaven’s sake!” take pride in this instinct, as it embodies friluftsliv—a philosophy centered on the freedom nature offers and our spiritual connection to the landscape. Thank you, Scandinavia, for this invaluable insight.
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Summary
Friluftsliv, a Scandinavian lifestyle emphasizing outdoor play and connection with nature, offers significant emotional and developmental benefits for children and parents alike. As modern indoor living becomes more prevalent, embracing friluftsliv can help combat stress and promote well-being for families. Encouraging unstructured outdoor play is essential for fostering resilience and creativity in children.