Fresh air as a way of life
Discover friluftsliv, Norway’s “free-air life” philosophy that makes outdoor time a right, not a luxury. Learn why Norwegians embrace nature year-round—and rank among the world’s happiest people.
Getting outside in nature isn’t just something to do on sunny weekend, but a core part of the Norwegian identity. Blessed with breathtaking fjords, spectacular mountains, and enchanting forests—it’s fair to say Norway has no shortage of alluring nature to get you outside. But what sets Norwegians apart—even from their comparatively outdoorsy Nordic neighbors—is their commitment to being in nature come rain or shine, even in the darkest days of winter.
Known as friluftsliv, a term coined by playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1859 but a concept that dates back long before then. Friluftsliv, which literally means “free-air life”—is a Norwegian philosophy that prizes time in nature and guides many aspects of Norwegian life from citizen’s rights and workplace policies to how children are raised and educated. Norwegians enjoy strict laws protecting their right to time in nature, a work life balance through generous PTO and strict 4pm finishes, and where a love of nature is ingrained early in life through a focus on outdoor learning in early years. Even in winter you’ll commonly see babies and toddlers napping outside every day in temps as low as 14°F and most pre-schools spend 80% of their time outside.
With the benefits of time in nature long since proven to improve both mental and physical health, it’s no surprise to find that despite the long dark winters, Norwegians are consistently ranked among the happiest nations on Earth, with Bergen & Oslo as two of the happiest cities on the planet, which just goes to show, there must be something in the air. Here’s to a free-air life!
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