The Scandinavian way to tackle winter - BBC REEL

The cosy Scandinavian concept of 'hygge' has become popular in recent years, but there's another wellness idea that helps Nordic people through long, cold winters.

'Friluftsliv' is a word used by Swedes, Danes and Norwegians. It translates literally as ‘fresh-air life’, and is all about embracing the great outdoors whatever the weather, being active, and immersing yourself in nature.

A video by Maddy Savage and Benoit Derrier for BBC Reel and BBC Culture.

#bbcreel #bbc #bbcnews

[cocolasticot]

"There is no bad weather, only bad kleather."

[DonChillum]

For anyone interested. The literall translation is Fri(Free)lufts(air)liv(Life)

[jespergran]

hmm as a northern swede, never really thougt about tackling winter, its always been like that. i just live like normal. instead of mowing my grass i shovel the snow.

[Trendkilla]

Nature is where Nordic people goes to be humbled. It's our church, it's where we mend psychologically, where we grow spiritually. Our beginning and end.

[arctic-]

As a scandinavian this sounds so weird. "Tackle winter". Jeez, there's winter every year and it's a beautiful season. Just wear proper clothes and enjoy it!

[Jjozz]

I'm from Finland and I can tell you that -10 C is a perfect winter weather to go do some outdoor activities! When it hits -25 C, that's when it starts to hurt your face. Anyway, winter is fun and beautiful. You just need proper clothing and a certain attitude, that's it! I think everyone should experience the magic of winter!

[simonscowled]

1. Proper layered winter clothing
2. Being with good social group
3. Enjoying the great outdoors

[TheEdnar]

I'm a city boy, born and raised. Lived in the tenth most populous city in my country for my entire life. Never been a boy scout or in other outdoor activity group. Didn't even attend our mandatory military service due to health reasons.

And even with that low a skill level, my entire journey to enjoying the woods was very short and straightforward:

1) Buy a decent pair of boots.
2) Start going for walks.

It genuinely is that simple. Just stick to ready made paths in the beginning and learn as you go. I promise it will make you feel better both mentally and physically very quickly. Doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, raining or shining, you can have a whale of a time.

[Perception_]

I'm norwegian, and I have to say that this is just a minor step in tackling life. Weather just is, and is nothing we can ever change which is why it's bullshit spending so much energy dwelling over it. Just go out and do what you *_NEED_* to get done. You can evaluate it when you are done.
I ride a bicycle 365 days a year no matter the weather, and it is actually just to do it. If my wheels can turn around, there is no excuse, simply none. Focus only at where you personally are standing and where you need to place your next step. Comparing ourselves to others is a road to destruction, period. We can only progress in our own life, and that's it.

[emmab]

Funny talking about Scandinavian winter when most of it seems to be filmed in early autumn. The leafs on the trees are still green. That is not what winter looks like here...

[NiklasForsman]

-10 is a mild winter day. Saying we "tackle" winter sounds weird. We enjoy and embrace the winter and what it brings. Some things aren't that fun, like slipping on the ice and hurting oneself, or getting hit by icy snow from the roof, but winter brings a lot of fun activities, a beautiful landscape and ups the coziness to 100.

[APetula]

Here in Quebec, the French heart of Canada, winter is thoroughly celebrated. There's a ridiculous amount of sports we can and do. Sports are common year around, and that includes the occasional and healthy walk. A lot of city parks are available but also natural wilder parks close by. We have winter festivals. January and February can observe -25C yet people still go out. The more northern you are I guess it just becomes your instinct to go out and move and reconnect with nature and see light. Winter is a blessed time when nature sleeps and prepares itself for the bounty of the warmer seasons.

[Jenn]

Love this idea. Personally, every time I go for a hike in the woods I always feel like some dislodged part of me clicks back into place.

[bluelotus]

-When you go outdoors in -10°C your face hurt.

“Northern Sweden laughs while struggling to breath in -30°C”

[boomerangfish]

It doesn't always have to be nature, it can be public farms and calm neighborhoods too. Only a couple of times in the weekend makes a great difference in productivity and the mood.

[nordiskkatt]

Oh, BBC, never change. Take a perfectly mundane behaviour - people in areas with unbridled access to nature like to use that nature for recreation - and turn it into some ~mystical~ exotic thing.

[broadbeaver]

I am from Sweden, and I imagine the russians must be laughing about our winter climate.

[papaneurodoc]

Went walking for a couple of miles this morning in 30 degree weather with my half Danish wife in Louisiana. (The other half is German and English). She has taught me how to appreciate the cold weather. And there have been plenty of times I have experienced below negative 20 with her. But there is nothing I can do when the temperature tops 80 degrees. Then the Viking comes out and she starts to curse up a storm about how can anyone live in hot weather. I just look at her and say, "Me!"

[chalphon]

Yes... as a Swede this is how I live my life, never thought about it as something that would appear weird to others. I guess that's normalisation for You. Also, we don't tackle winter, we enjoy it just like all the other seasons. In the winter you can go skiing, skating, sleighing, ice swimming after a nice sauna, why would you ever stay indoors the whole day?

[rynrbnsn]

Always felt this connection with nature and a deep love for the outdoors. But i never knew there was a word that described it. "friluftsliv" describes my way of life perfectly.