First things first. Wrapping up is a key aspect of friluftsliv.
There’s no point getting all wholesome and outdoors-y if you’re not
a) warmly dressed and b) looking the part. Check out the aptly
named Danish brand Rains for stylish shell jackets and coats, and
stock up on thermal underlayers such as these SKIMS leggings for extra warmth. Norwegians
have an expression that goes: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare
dårlige klær.” It roughly translates as: “There is no such thing as
bad weather, only bad clothing.”

A ritual that anyone can fit into their working-from-home day, a
20-minute walk around the block before you hunch over your computer
for the remainder of the sunlight hours. Pop on a podcast such as
the hilarious Isolation Tapes or SUITCASE’s The Upgrade to brighten your mood, or even better,
listen to the sounds of nature. Forget step counting, start
counting time spent outside – research suggests we should be aiming
for at least 120 minutes a week to boost good health and
wellbeing. These wool-blend ski socks by FALKE will come in handy.

One for those crisp, sunny days we all long for in winter (and
even bright overcast days to be honest) – wrap up warm and take
your lunch outside if you possibly can. Even 10 minutes of sunshine
a day will boost those much needed vitamin-D levels, and we all
know food tastes better outdoors. If you have a garden or outdoor
space, winter barbecues are definitely a thing: togging up and
roasting some bangers over coals is so much more atmospheric in
freezing weather, anyway.

We appreciate this isn’t for everyone, but if you have access to
somewhere to go for an icy dip then the endorphin rush is better
than any drug, and mental health experts have been talking about
the benefits for years. In Finland, there are more than 250
winter-swimming ‘centres’ open to the public, which often include
changing facilities and saunas. While we don’t quite have that
level of luxury in the UK yet, there are plenty of rivers and lakes
to take a plunge. If you’re lucky enough to live near any of these

wild swimming spots, take advantage during the winter months.
Wear warm clothes, and make sure to read plenty of advice on
tolerating the cold water if you’re new to it.

Norwegians have a saying that goes “Ut på tur, aldri sur” –
which translates as “out on a hike, never in a bad mood”. While
we’re not sure we always agree, there’s certainly some sense in it.
At the weekend, make a day of it and go for a proper walk around
your nearest park or nature reserve, if you’re lucky enough.
Katinka Friis from Visit Denmark explains that the pandemic has seen an
increase in hiking in Denmark, too: “During lockdown, many Danes
use friluftsliv as a way to get out of the home office and find new
ways of exploring their own surroundings. New hiking and biking
routes have opened too, for example Istidsruten and the
Amargermino.” Let’s follow suit.

Flasks aren’t just for tea or coffee. Oh no, there are all sorts
of meals you keep warm. Packing a hunk of crusty sourdough and a
flask full of stew is a classic, but you can also use them to keep
curry, pasta, warm couscous salads or even wraps warm for hours
while you’re outside. Check out British start-up Swivlit for an
ingenious little flask-cum-slow cooker that can gently cook curries
and stews all morning on the go, and then be ready to eat by
lunchtime.

While stargazing is normally associated with remote cottages
and mountain adventures, you’ll spot plenty of twinklers from
Morden Hall Park in south London – right at the end of the Northern
Line. Its 125 acres of open parkland are perfect for stargazing
thanks to a lack of light pollution. In fact, many rural areas in
the UK have great stargazing potential – set your sat nav for
Dark Sky Reserves such as the Brecon Beacons,
Snowdonia and Exmoor national parks. Pack blankets and a good pair
of binoculars.