4 Nature-loving Norwegians know the key to contentment

GIVEN THE DARK EVENINGS, GLOOMY WEATHER AND HIGH PRICE OF ALCOHOL, IT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE AN OBVIOUS CONTENDER FOR THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, BUT THIS YEAR NORWAY EDGED PAST DENMARK TO BECOME GLOBAL LEADER IN THE HAPPINESS RANKINGS IN THE 2017 WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT. WHY MIGHT THIS BE? IT’S ALL DOWN TO “ALLEMANNSRETTEN”, ESSENTIALLY EVERYONE’S RIGHT TO ROAM. ANYONE CAN WANDER FREELY – WHETHER ON PRIVATE OR PUBLIC LAND – OR PITCH A TENT FOR THE NIGHT AS LONG AS THEY CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES. AS A RESULT, LIFE FEELS MORE FAIR. WHAT’S MORE, SPENDING TIME AT

ONE WITH NATURE IS PART OF THE NORWEGIAN WAY OF LIFE WITH “JORDNÆR” – OR “NEARNESS TO THE EARTH” – BEING PART OF THE NATIONAL CHARACTER. WITH STUDIES SHOWING THE STRESS-BUSTING BENEFITS OF NATURE HELP US TO CHILL OUT, IT MAKES SENSE TO TAKE A LEAF OUT OF NORWAY’S BOOK AND ROAM FREE.