20 Friluftsliv Activites You Can Do Outside

Have you heard of friluftsliv? This concept is all about appreciating the beauty of the nature world.

Here are 20 creative and original friluftsliv activities that allow you to embrace the outdoors and connect with nature:

Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku): Try spending at least 15 minutes in nature. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest such as by lying on the ground or placing your hands on a tree trunk. The act of spending time in the forest is what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, a term originating in the 1980s that means "bathing in the forest atmosphere," says Qing Li, a researcher on this topic and a professor at Nippon Medical 

The ideal place to forest bathe is well, in a forest. But if you live far away from one or don't have the means to get there, any place that has a lot of trees and quiet spaces will do. Or city park 

Sunrise Yoga: Try doing yoga outside instead of inside. Practice yoga outdoors during sunrise for a gentle start to the day.

Cloud Watching: I love taking photos of clouds. Try lying on your back in your backyard or outdoors and observing the cloud formations. Try in different weathers. I love when it is cloudy just before a storm.

Natural Dyeing: Collect plants, berries or flowers to create your own natural dyes that you can use to dye fabric or other items. 

Outdoor Poetry Writing: Have you tried writing poetry outdoors? Let nature inspire your creativity by writing poems outdoors.

Night Sky Stargazing: Identify constellations and planets without any electronic devices. 

Outdoor Photography: Capture the beauty of landscapes, wildlife, or macro details.

Geocaching: Use GPS coordinates to find hidden treasures in natural settings.

Nature Mandala: Create your own fun intricate mandalas using leaves, flowers and natural materials.

Outdoor Sketching: Bring your art supplies and sketch the landscape or wildlife. 

Have a Picnic: Enjoy a meal outdoors during magical golden hours.

Sound Mapping: Record natural soundscapes (birdsong, rustling leaves) and create a sound map.

Have a Campfire: Gather around a campfire and share stories with friends or family. Prepare meals over a campfire or portable stove. I love making s’mores outdoors.

Enjoy these activities and let nature rejuvenate your spirit! Let me know how you celebrate nature in the comments.