The Open-Air Life

A complete guide to friluftsliv, the Nordic secret to unplugging and connecting more deeply with nature.

Could the road to health and happiness in fact be a narrow trail in the woods? Ask a Scandinavian and the answer is likely a resounding “yes.” For the better part of two centuries, the people of Northern Europe have turned to nature as a way to get away from it all – the factories, the cities, the noise, the crowds and, more recently, the enslaving pinging of their own smartphones. They do it in the name of friluftsliv, “open-air life,” the practice of unplugging and connecting with nature in everyday life. An outdoorsy cousin of hygge, friluftsliv is what Nordic people do outside all day before they cozy up in front of the fireplace with their wool socks on and a cup of hot cocoa.
 
From the pleasures of foraging for wild berries and birding to how to stay warm and cozy outside in the middle of winter, this charmingly illustrated, inspirational guide shows readers how to harness the power-of-nature to improve their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships with both other people and Mother Nature. Readers will learn:

• Why and how they should spend more time outside
• How to use friluftsliv to combat stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout
• Practical skills like making fire, cooking outdoors and cleaning water on the go. 

 For country and city lovers alike, friluftsliv offers a path to slowing down in this modern, fast paced society and connecting with the natural world. In its simplest forms, it doesn’t require a lot of money or gear and can be practiced almost anywhere. At a time when more and more people are starting to appreciate why they should spend more time outside, this book will tell you how, with a decidedly Scandinavian twist. And yes, please bring the wool socks.

Praise for The Open-Air Life 

Discover the Nordic secret to unplugging and connecting more deeply with nature: friluftstliv. I highly recommend The Open-Air Life to nature lovers everywhere.
—Dr. Qing Li, professor, Nippon Medical School, and author of Forest Bathing

Linda McGurk has given us a fine guide to caring for our true nature by connecting to the rest of nature. My hat’s off (but soon to be back on, as I’m going for a hike).
—Richard Louv, author of Vitamin N and Last Child in the Woods

Reading the prose of Linda Åkeson McGurk is always a reminder to be intentional about connecting with what I know deep in my bones: that going outside is going home. The Open-Air Life is an invitation to claim a way of being in the world that deems time outside as essential as breathing or drinking clean water. Full of practical tips and inspiring stories, this book is an essential guide for anyone who wants to further embrace life in the open air.
—Heidi Barr, author of Collisions of Earth and Sky and 12 Tiny Things

Whatever you do, get outside! It’s time to reclaim our mind-body health, as well as the lives of our children, from the indoor grind of always-on tech and brain-scattering media. Linda Åkeson McGurk’s gentle but inspiring approach rekindles our faith in the outdoors, whether we’re just sleeping on our own porch or taking a long hike in the woods. With her useful everyday tips, we’re reminded how easy it can be to reconnect ourselves and our families to the instant and deep benefits of nature.
—Anu Partanen, author of The Nordic Theory of Everything

Product detail

Publisher ‏ : ‎ TarcherPerigee (November 1, 2022)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593420942

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593420942

Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds

Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.77 x 0.89 x 8.51 inches