Scandinavians show us the way (once again)

WE TEND to look to Scandinavians as the grown-ups in the room. They lead the way and seem to look down on the rest of us smugly when it comes to telling us how to live.

A few years ago, we had the hygge phase; the Danish concept of cosiness, involving woolly blankets, fluffy slippers and expensive candles. What’s not to like? It was made for Covid times.

But now it’s the Norwegians with their friluftsliv. Even when you say it phonetically (free-luftz-leev) it’s not any more obvious, but apparently it’s the equivalent of the 1970s Irish mammy whooshing you out the door in the morning, telling you to stick on a warm coat and hat and not to come back in until it’s dinner time.

As it’s Norway, naturally, they have a state organisation for it. Norsk Friluftsliv gives its 950,000 members tips on enjoying their ‘free air life’ – everything from how to light a campfire (carefully) to what to wear while out and about in the freezing cold (answer: layers).

The hardy Norwegians embraced it throughout Covid. In fact, they increased their friluftsliv activities to more than three times a week. They even hired extra staff at camping and outdoor shops as essential workers.

Of course, the key difference is that most people live within easy reach of fjords, forests, campsites, national parks or the sea. Working short weeks, with every weekend off, is normal. Most families have a ‘cabin’, or second wilderness home to retreat to between all the hiking and cross country skiing.

I think we have a way to go just yet.