“Just go outside and play! Enjoy nature! Get out of this house already!”
For nearly twenty years, I have repeated (or perhaps yelled) these phrases to my children. There’s something inherently unnatural about keeping energetic little bodies confined within the four walls of our home. Yet, across the nation, many children, even those engaged in competitive outdoor sports (if they’re lucky enough to get a mere 15 minutes of recess three times a week), are spending far too much time indoors.
It’s not just the kids; parents are also stuck inside. We find ourselves glued to screens for hours, catching glimpses of blue skies only through car windows and inhaling fresh air only in parking lots as we shuffle our kids in and out of stores.
Perhaps this confinement is a reason behind the increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among both kids and parents. But this isn’t the case everywhere. While I urged my children to “go outside and connect with nature,” I unknowingly embraced a well-regarded Scandinavian parenting principle known as “friluftsliv” (pronounced FREE-loofts-leav). This philosophy gained traction in Scandinavia after World War II, when people sought refuge from urban life in the great outdoors.
Recognizing nature’s healing power, friluftsliv—meaning “free-air life”—has become an integral part of Scandinavian culture and family life. In countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, it’s common to see individuals cycling to work and taking lunch breaks for walks in nature, or preschoolers playing outdoors in conditions that would make polar bears shiver.
Swedes often say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Their love for the outdoors translates into healthier and happier lifestyles.
Why Nature Matters
So what is it about nature that revitalizes our spirits, recharges our energy, and restores our inner balance? Linda Johnson, the author of Nature’s Playground: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids, puts it this way: “We have biological rhythms that align with nature’s cycles, which our modern lives often disrupt.” In simpler terms, humans are not designed to be cooped up staring at digital screens all day.
In her book, Johnson details the emotional advantages families, especially children, can gain from spending time outdoors and adopting the friluftsliv lifestyle. Unfortunately, American children have limited opportunities to experience this, as their outdoor time is often restricted at school, and the outdoor activities they do partake in are frequently competitive sports—something friluftsliv does not advocate.
Essentially, kids benefit most from unstructured outdoor play, free from adult supervision, allowing them to develop higher self-esteem, curiosity, and creativity. The Swedish government even distinguishes friluftsliv from competitive sports, defining it as “time spent outdoors to enjoy nature without the pressure to achieve or compete.”
Overcoming Fears
Regrettably, many parents in the U.S. hesitate to let their children play outside due to unfounded fears—worries about nosy neighbors, unsafe equipment, or lurking dangers. Johnson encourages American parents to ease up, emphasizing the importance of outdoor play for building resilience in children. “When kids play outdoors, they tend to be calm yet alert. Statistically, it isn’t riskier now than before to let them play outside,” she explains. “The only difference is that we hear more about unfortunate incidents.”
American kids are often confined indoors, which disrupts their natural temperaments—and theirs, as well as their parents’. Nature beckons us to step outside, yet educational and work structures hinder this connection. Johnson advocates for a collective effort among parents, educators, and caregivers to recognize the benefits of outdoor play. “Real change requires awareness among those who influence policies around public green spaces and preschool guidelines,” she asserts.
Embracing Friluftsliv
Spending time in nature should be a natural part of life, not a luxury we have to seek. So, the next time you find yourself shouting, “Get outside and play, darn it!” give yourself a pat on the back. It’s not a sign of parenting frustration; it’s embracing friluftsliv—a philosophy rooted in enjoying freedom in nature and connecting spiritually with the landscape. Yes, that too. Thank you, Scandinavia.
In conclusion, embracing friluftsliv could transform our parenting approach and enhance our children’s well-being. For more insights on navigating parenthood or to explore at-home insemination options, check out this informative guide on at-home insemination kit and artificial insemination resources. Additionally, for those expecting, March of Dimes offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination advice.
Leave a Reply