Did you know that Nordic countries consistently rank highest in the world when it comes to happiness and well-being? What if I told you that the key reason Nordic countries do so well in these global rankings is as simple as their connection to the outdoors? From children to adults, the Nordic mindset embraces nature, connection to others, and reinventing the way we work. This philosophy fosters resilience, adaptability, and well-being. It’s something we could all benefit from adopting and it’s easier than you think!
The power of a life in the outdoors
In Nordic countries, children play outside year-round, regardless of rain, snow, or sunshine. They’re encouraged to explore, to take risks, and to discover their capabilities. Instead of constantly hearing, “Be careful,” they’re given the freedom to develop their own problem-solving skills. This not only strengthens their bodies but also builds emotional resilience and self-confidence.
It doesn’t stop with childhood, however. Nordic adults carry this outdoor lifestyle with them into their work and personal lives. Walking meetings, weekend adventures, and a strong cultural connection to nature keep them grounded, healthy, and happy.
Contrast this with many of our modern lifestyles. We spend most of our days indoors at work, in gyms, or glued to screens. Even when we venture outside, it’s often brief, controlled, and accompanied by technology (does anyone else simply have to have music while they walk?). While mindful walks or moments of stillness in nature are valuable, we need more than a few minutes outside to truly thrive. We need a systemic shift including a new way of thinking about our relationship with nature.
What can we learn?
The Nordic approach isn’t about completely turning your life on its head, although it will give your mood and well-being a complete 180. Instead, it’s about embedding outdoor connection into daily life so it becomes a routine and something you actually enjoy. Here are some ways we can integrate these lessons:
1. Make the outdoors non-negotiable
Adopt the mantra: There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Normalise outdoor time as essential, not optional. Start small with daily walks, weekend hikes, or outdoor family games, and build from there.
2. Transform our workplaces
Instead of just adding greenery to offices, let’s encourage outdoor engagement. You could:
Hold walking meetings.
Organise team-building activities in nature.
Replace after-work drinks with outdoor adventures or sports.
Offer incentives for employees to spend weekends exploring trails instead of the local shopping centre or pub.
3. Rethink community spaces
Advocate for cleaner, safer, and more accessible green spaces. Support the development of parks, outdoor gyms, and trails. As a community, we can create places that make it easier and more enjoyable for everyone to get outside, regardless of age or ability.
4. Encourage adventure and resilience
Children thrive when they’re allowed to explore the world on their own terms. Let’s empower future generations by encouraging outdoor play and adventure. Replace overly cautious warnings like “Be careful” with positive encouragement to explore, climb, and discover.
5. A systems approach to well-being
Nature’s benefits aren’t just personal, they’re organisational and societal too. Health and well-being initiatives should include outdoor engagement as a core component. Urban planning should prioritise green spaces. Workplaces and schools should embed outdoor activities into their daily routines.
Obviously we’re not all urban planners or in charge of schools, but we all have the power to raise these issues with local schools, our own workplaces, or even with local MPs. This way, we can make a difference in accessibility to green spaces by advocating to our community.
In a world plagued by burnout, screen fatigue, and perfectionism, stepping back into nature offers a profound antidote. Whether it’s a short hike, a mindful walk, or a family camping trip, the outdoors has the power to restore and recharge us.
So, ask yourself three questions:
How much time do you spend outside each day?
What could you do to embrace nature more in your life?
How can your workplace or community encourage outdoor engagement?
By modeling this connection to nature, we not only improve our own lives but also set an example for future generations. We teach our children that adventure, resilience, and well-being start with stepping outside.
The path forward is simple: breathe deeply, explore freely, and reconnect with the world around you. Let’s make outdoor living a routine and way of life, not just an occasional escape or a quick walk when we remember.
Share your thoughts on our Facebook Community Page HERE. How do you incorporate the outdoors into your life or workplace? What changes would you like to see in your community? Let’s start a conversation!
