The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day

by Linda Åkeson McGurk

Discover the Nordic way of living the "open air life" and unplug and connect more deeply with nature.

In Friluftsliv, Swedish-American writer Linda McGurk introduces readers to a wide array of Nordic customs and practices that focus on slowing down and spending more and more of ones' time outdoors. 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, this book will serve as an essential guide to slowing down in this modern, fast paced society and connecting with the natural world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Self Help, Parenting, Audiobook, Outdoors, Health

272 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and audiobook! This book was informative. It has recipes and how-to and advices about living the open-air life.

I feel inspired to go outside to enjoy nature. No hardcore hiking or anything but like one character mentioned in the story, I might only be afraid of it because I don't know how to navigate the outdoors.

I'm surprised to learn about how people relieved themselves when hiking. There are advice on cooking outdoors. Challenges on unplugging from technology as the family live off grid once in a while or several times a year to enjoy each other and nature.

I like learning about how nature heals sickness and relieve stress. I like advice on reaching out to others to join in group hike, group walk, group outdoors experience. It's interesting to learn about Sweden and the Nordic life and their eagerness for outdoors.

This book is excellent and I will definitely refer back to it often for advice because I don't go outside much on my free time.

Thank you TarcherPerigee for the opportunity to read and review. I also listened to the audiobook via Libby App.

[Kaelee Dewit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author. In typical fashion of this author she includes a lot of stats to convince you that spending time outside is good for you and a worthwhile endeavor. Personally I could do without all the stats because I already am convinced of the benefits of spending time outside. What makes this book valuable to me is the practical tips that she gives. As someone who doesn’t naturally gravitate towards spending time outside, I feel a little clueless at times. I appreciate that she gives practical tips like how to build a fire starting kit, what to pack for a backpacking trip, different types of fires you can build and what they’re good for, different cooking over the fire tools and how to use them. I also appreciate how she always encourages you not to be overwhelmed by the different gear options as well as the cost, to keep it simple, have a good mindset and get outside.

[Ashley Jane Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really resonates with me as a parent of a toddler and someone who loves the outdoors. This book really spoke to me and has compelled me to go outside more with my daughter and to also plan more camping trips. I also feel inspired to do more exploring of my local environment for good nature exploring/hiking.

[Kathryn Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has INSPIRED ME TO GO OUTSIDE MORE and practice my right to roam <3

[Tanya Knepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this authors way of drawing you in with personal anecdotes, expert interviews, and vivid accounts of nature. Made me want to embrace the outdoors more. Particularly lovely as a relaxing bedtime read. I enjoyed the non-chapter format.

[Lydia VanOsdol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this & inspired to learn how to enjoy nature year-round, no matter the climate and weather! The friluftsliv way resonates with my deep love of nature & desire to be outside as much as possible ☀️

[Buck Wilde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Nordic art of hiking without exerting yourself. It's also OK to exert yourself while hiking. You can roll around in the woods and base jump and fistfight an ocelot if you want, but that's not friluftsliv. Friluftsliv is when you just kick it in the woods, wander around, look at some moss, maybe touch a mushroom. It's also when you camp on top of buildings. It's mostly just getting off your damn screens and going outside.

So go on. Git.

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed it at 55% when author started sharing anecdotes insinuating that hiking and ice bathing can cure depression/endometriosis/etc, and that “natural” remedies are better than medications with “scary” side effects. I’m all for spending more time in nature, but don’t inflate the benefits so it sounds like a cure-all.

[Sarah Haynie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ • hard copy book • I love Linda Åkeson McGurk’s general purpose for her blog and books and I loved No Such Thing as Bad Weather, I found this one a bit harder to get through because of the format but I loved the research on her topics, the insight into Scandinavian friluftsliv culture, and the inspiration it get outside and explore! 🏕️

[Jennifer Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friluftsliv, loosely translated as “open-air life” or “free-air life,” is the Nordic ideal of embracing nature and enjoying outdoors as a way of life. The book is divided into sections covering Air, Earth, Water, and Fire and includes tips on everything from walking barefoot to building the perfect campfire.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the outdoors. This book reminded me of all the walking, swimming, and exploring I did as a kid, and all of the times I brought my own children outside, and the cherished memories I have. It made me want to take the grandkids camping. I enjoyed reading this. The author tapped into that part of me that wants to be outside, and inspired me to make it more of a priority.

[Caprise Satterfield]

Get outside. Often!!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very appreciative of the beautiful place I live and this book reminded me I don’t need to travel far to get the most out of being in nature.
Also, a great reminder not to let the weather stop you from getting outside!
“Sometimes the greatest reward of being outside is actually coming back inside to the comforts of home. So why let the rain clouds stand in the way of a good time?”

[Ashley Finafrock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview
In this book, Linda Akeson McGurk demystifies friluftsliv, the Nordic way of life of embracing nature as a part of one's everyday lifestyle. Literally meaning "open-air" or "free air" life, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency explains that it's about "spending time outside in natural and cultural landscapes for personal wellness and to experience nature without pressure to achieve or compete." McGurk describes friluftsliv as

"It's the pleasure of going for a brisk walk right before a storm, feeling the sun on your forehead on a chilly spring day, and making food over an open fire in the company of friends. It's the joy of devouring a fistful of berries straight from the plant and the excitement of making the first snow angels of the season."

  • Reading McGurk's example of friluftsliv, I feel joy and connectedness like I did while reading Mike Wiking's Little Book of Lykke (happiness) and recalling my own happy memories with friends.
  • And I was also particularly drawn to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's idea of friluftsliv, as it connected to a dot regarding mindfulness and meditation.
    • Jon Kabat-Zinn, professor emeritus at University of Massachusetts Medical School, who professes a secular version of mindfulness and yoga, defines mindfulness as "paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgement," and expands that there is no where to go while meditating, no competition, no need to get to a specific destination or achieve a specific state of mind.
    • Both friluftsliv and meditation involve not putting pressure on oneself to achieve or compete for a specific goal (unlike, say, an outdoor sporting competition, for example)



Core Principals of Friluftsliv
  1.) Be one with nature
  2.) Don't mind the weather (or the season)
  3.) Use your body + Propel yourself
  4.) Appreciate your nearby nature
  5.) Learn useful skills (natural curiosity about the natural world and hands-on experience)
  6.) Keep it simple
  7.) Do not compete
  8.) Disconnect to connect
  9.) Nurture your sense of wonder

What this book inspires me to do
  This book, as expected, makes me want to spend more time outdoors! And I am trying my best now to be less of a weenie when it comes to the cold. (which as a tan-very-easily, California native, is very rough, but I'm getting better...)
    • In Open-Air Life and also in the author's previous book's title (which I have not read), McGurk repeatedly says that, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing," and that folks in Scandinavian countries more readily embrace all weather conditions, not just fair-weather, sunny days. Which totally makes sense! Imagine only being happy on sunny days in countries that are so far north that have winter periods that do not even see sunlight; that'd be miserable.
    • I realize that living in Seattle I should make peace with the 9-month stretch of cloudy, grey days, and take action to be outside the house more while also making sure to get sufficient vitamin D (be outside more for UV rays while also supplementing; started using a HappyLight couple days ago after waking up for fuller spectrum light in cloudy Seattle--these things were not prescribed by the book, btw, but it's what I'm doing in addition to being outside more)
    • If I'm working from home, I intentionally sit outside on my deck for an hour or two while working
      • In the past I definitely would not have done this, unless it was a sunny day. But now I just bundle up, grab my laptop or book, and sit outside. The cool air feels refreshing and not abrasive, dagger-stabbing chilly (yet...we'll see how this goes once it's winter).
  • I've scheduled some small farm activities with my 4-yr-old daughter and some of her daycare friends. Yesterday we went to a small farm with a forested plot of land, giant bubbles, sensory bins of dirt and twigs, petting area of chicks, hens, and goats and the farmer had us try raw corn--something that we shouldn't do with typical store-bought corn, b/c of the weeks it takes for corn in supermarkets to actually get to us the consumers and tastes starchy without cooking, but the corn he provided us was just picked the day before and it was delicious! We bought a half dozen for $5, but now I'm thinking we should've gotten more (support the small farm and our tummies).
    • I realize that if I don't get over my aversion to non-sunny weather, that I will be depriving my daughter of some wonderful outdoors time, which we know to be something severely lacking in our society today at the detriment of both physical and mental health.
  • Our little family has made a fire in the communal fire pit 2 nights now, surrounded by towering trees from the wetlands that borders our home, chatting, roasting marshmallows, sipping hot chocolate, keeping the fire alive, stargazing, just being together...
  • With the endurance of a 4-yr-old in mind: I want to go camping again! I want to go hiking! I want to forage for fall mushrooms in the forest! I want to go for walks after work/school! I am oddly curious as to what it'd feel like to jump into a lake or beach during the autumn/winter even though I hate the cold?!

Why only 3 stars and not 5?
  McGurk does a great job of introducing the concept of open-air lifestyle and listing examples, however maybe it's the formatting of the book that makes consuming the book a bit awkward as a piece of text that you're supposed to read from cover-to-cover? It's not quite rigidly structured as a reference book, but also has enough branching and random examples where it doesn't quite feel like a narrative surrounding a uniting concept--she does try to break friluftsliv down into elemental sections of air, earth, water, and fire, but the concepts of what you can do with each elements feel very...list like and disconnected, almost like the format should've been different revolving around a specific scientific benefit rather than forcing into elemental boxes? idk...
  Also the plethora of examples means you sort of get a superficial down-low about a topic, rather than deep diving. So I suppose use this book as a primer into embracing nature, then look to other resources to get a deeper understanding, is a way I'd use this book
  Sometimes she expounds on Nordic history or mythology for a bit too long. It's good to know the history to see how something arises within a culture, but maybe where it's inserted or the duration for how long it's talked about makes it awkward to consume

[Alexandria Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abandoned about halfway. Just couldn’t get into it. I really enjoyed her memoir so I was hoping this would be of similar par. But really it was just a bunch of rambling about nature.

Personally I’m more of a practical life person maybe that’s why I didn’t enjoy it. I already know being outside is helpful and has many benefits. You don’t need to describe that to me in pain-staking detail. There just aren’t many real-life applications in this book, and it’s a little woo-woo. Air, Earth, Sky, Fire, on and on… Her first book was much better.

[Amy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was very practical. I love how she touched on the relationship between nature and mental health and how to enjoy the outdoors even in your own neighborhood

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspires me to continue to be one with nature! Ever since the covid pandemic, I have been motivated to get my kids outdoors...But time has gone by and sometimes you get comfortable doing things inside more often than you should. I liked that this book was a kick in my pants to keep up the good work of touching the moss on trees and bringing my hammock outside to read instead of my comfortable couch. Since we aren't sports people and in addition we live in a rainy place, we as a family have to get really creative. But I am always looking for new inspiration, and this book was a fun read. Here are some of my favorite parts of the book:

“The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency contends that it’s about “spending time outside in natural and cultural landscapes for personal wellness and to experience nature without pressure to achieve or compete.”

“Just like there is slow food, slow parenting, and slow entertainment, friluftsliv is a form of slow nature. It’s about embracing simplicity, resisting consumerism, and living in a way that is sustainable to both ourselves and the planet.”

“When you are raised in a friluftsliv culture, you will forever have a little voice inside your head that cajoles you into going outside every day.”

“He summed up his feelings in the word friluftsliv—a compound of the Norwegian and Swedish words for “free,” “air,” and “life.””

“If walking is as close to a magic bullet for good health as it gets, why have so many people in the Western world come to view it as something you only do if your car is broken down?”

“From the national park movement at the start of the twentieth century to the push to combat global climate change today, friluftsliv has always been a reaction against modernity and the damage it has wrought on nature.”

“What friluftsliv does is encourage you to experience the outdoors in everyday life instead of thinking that nature is a destination to which you have to travel. It broadens our definition of “nature” and encourages us to find it closer to home, sometimes where we least expect it.”

About the forest cemetery... “And the tombstones, typically the focal point of a cemetery, are discreetly nestled, all the same size, among stands of gangly pine trees to highlight that in death, everybody is equal.”

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I very nearly gave up listening to the audiobook because of the breathy voice of the narrator, which, combined with the breathless admiration of the Nordic way of doing things, came across as quite insufferable. It starts out with quite a bit of gatekeeping: it's not real Friluftsliv if you're doing anything competitive. It's only because the book had a several-months waitlist at the library that I didn't return it after the first chapter.

But either I acclimated to the yoga-class voice or the book got more interesting, becuase I found myself reading it every spare chance.

Look-- a lot of this isn't groundbreaking: people live better when they interact, in varying degrees, in nature. Whether you live in a remote cabin with no electricity for a week or just take a lunchtime walk in the park, getting outside is beneficial. McGurk comes up with some novel ways to get and stay outside, like setting up a "cooking over a fire" dinner group, telling stories outside, or foraging for ingredients. To her credit, McGurk even addresses how other countries outside of Northern Europe bring their flavor to the out-of-doors life (although, admitted, not much of the global south).

Her ultimate goal, stated towards the end of the book, but probably better suited to the beginning, is to make friluftsliv the new hygge--a trendy lifestyle choice embraced by the pinterest crowd around the world. A collective move towards friluftsliv could lead to legislation to allow more wandering rights and get kids off screens in their critical years. Making getting outside a priority in all kinds of conditions can and should be a trend as much as coming back inside to a fire and a cup of cocoa.

[Genna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Our brains simply gravitate towards what we know and need, and from an evolutionary perspective, that is neither five-lane highways nor advanced cloud storage solutions."

Listened to the audiobook version of this, then purchased it in print for my library's collection and wished that I had read that version instead. The physical version of The Open-Air Life comes with lovely illustrations, recipes, and inset details that are certainly more enjoyable in the printed format. But that's neither here nor there. Overall, I did enjoy this, although there were definitely sections that did not hold my interest. This is something of a primer on engaging in outdoor activities, as well as an introduction to the cultural phenomenon of friluftsliv. I was inspired by many of McGurk's musings on our relationship with nature (particularly in regard to consumption) and how to be more mindful and ground oneself while participating in outdoor activities, but I did skim through some of the tips for getting started, being a seasoned hiker/backpacker myself. Most of interest were the scientific tidbits around ice, cold plunging/wild swimming, circadian rhythms, etc. Which did, in fact, inspire me to try a bit of cold plunging in a local creek this winter. So far, so good! Lovingly crafted and overall an enjoyable read, but you may find yourself skipping over sections if you're someone already comfortable in outdoor settings.

"There is a fine line between experiencing nature and consuming nature."

[Lauren (Bookquoth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Once you start to adopt the mindset that time spent in nature is never wasted, letting go of less meaningful or even toxic habits will become a lot easier. Keep in mind that not every encounter with nature needs to be an epic adventure; open-air life spans everything from observing the birds on your street to climbing a mountaintop.” ⛰️

This book is namely about the Nordic concept of friluftsliv (“FREE-loofts-leeve”) which aims to fill your life with more outside moments in a complete chill way. ⛰️

This was a very easy and encouraging read about getting outdoors and moving around and exploring. It’s also about training your mind to tune into nature wherever you are. It’s about using all your senses to notice everything in the outdoors and how that can be an antidote for bad moods. About walking in the rain and how there is no such thing as bad weather. About the *joy* of missing out (JOMO instead of FOMO!). ⛰️

I always enjoy books that are about getting outdoors and connecting with nature! While I did skim through a fair portion of this one, there were a lot of good pointers throughout. Aesthetically, I enjoyed that the whole text is in a dark green ink vs. black! Such a cool choice. Thanks again to @tarcherperigee for the copy! ⛰️

I’ll leave you with this book’s mantra: Live simply. Go outside often. Be kind to the earth.” ⛰️

[Ferna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good reminder of why we should get outside and appreciate nature as it is. The book was well written and I believe approachable to all folks, whether they are beginners to the open-air life or well seasoned. I learnt quite a bit of new information and tid-bits throughout the read, often sending me on further research to discover more. The book introduced me to ice singing, which is absolutely fascinating and worth going down a rabbit hole to discover. I am often inspired by the Nordic countries and their passion for getting out- and I often find myself wondering, how can that practice be brought to other places around the world? There are many ideas and ways to participate in the open-air life and I appreciate this book for being able to demonstrate that getting outside does t have to always be an epic adventure.

This is a great read for people who want to find ways to get outside and connect with their natural surrounding, for parents wanting to teach their kids about outdoor play and for just about anyone who wants to foster a deeper connection to the great outdoors. Highly recommend as an intro to getting outside and appreciating nature.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
There is nothing new or startling, but lots of reminders of the benefits of spending time outside in nature.
The author talks at length about the different elements of friluftsliv, a Nordic way of life that embraces time outside in a variety of ways.
I skimmed parts that weren't overly relevant to my life (i.e. the many different ways to build a campfire; it was interesting, though).
Some things aren't very realistic in the context of North American living. For example, she talks about how preschoolers in the Nordics are taught how to light fires and safely do all sorts of things in an outdoor capacity. Our society here (for better or worse, likely worse) DOESN'T function that way. So the main thing missing from this book (in my view) was discussion of how to incorporate some of these great principles in a different culture. Another example: she frequently talks about the Swedish law that allows anyone to wander freely on all private land. You can forage, camp, swim, ski, on anyone's property. That isn't the way it works in North America, so it's hard to reproduce some of the freedom and flexibility she is praising in my own environment.

[Valerie J K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've given a lot of thought to how free and unencumbered I feel when I'm outside and engaged with nature, and this book caught my attention. The term "Friluftsliv" describes the Nordic tradition of connecting more often and more deeply with nature. The book reads like a self-help guide, but the information makes sense and I appreciate the research behind it. I especially liked reading about Scandinavian children and their outdoor-based upbringing. Current technology often results in extensive screen-viewing, and it's more important than ever for parents to create and engage in a healthy outdoor-based lifestyle for themselves and their kids.

I was surprised to learn that in Sweden the public has the right to access private property via the common law of allermansratten, which trusts that people will use common sense as they walk, bike, horseback ride, ski, pick berries/musrooms/flowers, build a fire, and even camp on someone else's private land, except not right in front of their house.

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Live simply. Go outside often. Be kind to the earth”. This sums up the basics of friluftsliv’s can-do, outdoor spirit. The author marvelously fills in the details of how to live these basics in this comprehensive guide to a life that favors slowing down and spending time in nature. Just about anything you might need to know before you head for the woods is covered here: foraging in the wild, wearing the right clothes and bringing the essential gear; even how to go about pooping outdoors or starting a fire with a fluffed out tampon as kinder. The good thing here: it’s not about spending a fortune on fancy gear or special clothes either. Remember, keeping it simple is a big part of the friluftsliv ethos. So of course, one of the best pieces of advice here is the reminder that camping and hiking with family and friends in the outdoors is just a great way to create deeper connections and make some terrific memories.

[Angie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoying reading books about the benefits of spending more time outdoors. This is the author’s second book and this one is more in depth about the scandinavian concept of friluftsliv- or open-air life, free air life, fresh air life. It means to embrace nature and enjoy the outdoors as a way of life, a possibility of recreation, rejuvenation, and restoring balance among living things. To spend time outside in natural and cultural landscapes for personal wellness and to experience nature without pressure to achieve or compete. Paddling a kayak and watching birds are friluftsliv while snowmobiling, waterskiing, and running a 10k are not. It’s a mindset and less about a location or activity.

[Allison Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy The Open-Air Life quite as much as her first, "There's No Such Thing As Bad Weather," but still found it inspiring, interesting, and well-researched. In both, I found Akeson McGurk's talent for weaving personal narrative and data-driven arguments about the benefits of nature engaging and easy to read. I love her commitment to nature and the "open air" lifestyle as accessible to all regardless of age, ability, or location and found much of the book both encouraging and easily applicable. Overall, I was inspired both by the science and the narrated personal experience of the benefits of nature for human flourishing and am reminded that God created us for this world and this world for us.

[Sherry Bentley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy to read book about living an open-air life, and spending more time in nature, called friluftsliv. As someone who loves being outdoors, I loved the author's encouragement of various activities one can do outdoors, in a non-competitive way. Many outdoorsy folks only want to compete or get an adrenaline rush, but this book encourages outdoor living simply to enjoy nature. There are also tips on dressing for cold weather, building a fire, and camping. With everyone spending so much time indoors on smartphones, this book is a must read for those looking for ways to spend more time outdoors, living a simpler life than the fast-paced one we see others living daily. I will be incorporating some of her suggestions to get outside every day.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swedish American writer Linda Akeson McGurk introduces readers to friluftsliv, a wide array of Nordic customs and practices that focus on slowing down and spending more of one's time in nature. Friluftsliv is what Nordic people do outside all day before they cozy up in front of the fireplace with their wool socks and a cup of hot cocoa. From the pleasures of foraging for wild berries and bird watchin, to tips on how to stay warm while hiking in the middle of winter, this charming guide to the open-air life shows readers how to channel the power of nature to improve their physical and mental health. This is an essential guide to slowing down in the modern, fast-paced society and connecting with the natural world.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars…part manual for getting outside, part ode to being outside, part Nordic culture and tradition. I enjoyed this book! It definitely encourages me to further foster my family’s and my open air life. I enjoyed the practical nature of the book on one hand (“here’s how you poop in the wild”…seriously) and the hopelessly idealistic nature of it on the other. I have not even one little desire to go snow backpacking in wintertime Sweden, for instance. But yeah, worthwhile. I don’t believe nature is the great healer that fixes all ills, and there was a hefty dose of worshipping the creation rather than the Creator. But enjoying creation IS a vast part of delighting in the Creator; I appreciate being encouraged to get outside more and become more self-sufficient in the wilderness.

[Kateryna Maw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some of the parts were super interesting (e.g., ice making sounds constantly reshaping and reforming; bird songs done on the radio, etc).

Some other parts were a bit simplistic as "how to's". I had to skip a few pages as some things did not apply to me. I would appreciate more research done around being in nature and its effects on our well-being than recipes of food one can make while on a camping trip.

Overall, the book helped me solidify my own ideas around simpler living and how to live an open-air life (even if only on weekends) developing skills that are invaluable.