The Nordic lifestyle celebrates the small joys in life – simple luxuries like time spent outdoors, appreciating moments of happiness and free time spent relaxing. It’s also about caring for your body and mind through movement, nutritious food and living in a functional and beautiful home that supports you. Balance is key to the Nords and they prioritise enjoying time with friends and family, caring for their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of the environment and focussing on comfort and simplicity. We can be inspired by the Nordic way of life to build these habits into our daily lives, helping to make it much easier to notice when things feel misaligned to us and the life of balance and peace we seek to have. I was inspired to write this blog post after reading a wonderful book called ‘The Book of Nordic Self-Care’, written by Elisabeth Carlsson.
1. Health and Beauty Through Nature
Friluftsliv, translated to free open-air life, is a Nordic term that explains the experience of being immersed and surrounded by nature and how this supports our spiritual and physical wellbeing. Being in nature slows us down and calms our nervous system, helping us to breathe deeper and move with more intention. Our focus changes from the stresses of our daily lives to connection with our natural environment. The Nordics invite nature into every part of their lives, by focusing on exercising outdoors, eating nutritious and seasonal foods, using nature as their pharmacy and in their skincare routines, as well as pushing themselves out of their comfort zones through cold water swimming. The key is to use nature to find the sweet spot of balance that supports us to live the most peaceful and intentional lives possible. I try and bring nature into my life by opting for skin care products that are as natural as possible, and making sure to get out into nature as much as I can for some good movement, whether it’s a swim in the ocean, a hike in the woods or even just a walk around the garden. It’s not about pushing yourself or achieving something, it’s about choosing nature to be a part of your everyday life.
2. Living with the Seasons
Nordic homes and diets are both influenced by the seasons of the year. Seasonal, locally sourced whole foods form the basis of how most people eat in the Nordic countries. This includes fruit and vegetables, lots of berries, wholegrains and dairy and fish. At its heart, the Nordic diet is about eating seasonal and local foods that support sustainability. Foraging for wild, naturally growing berries or herbs is also a tradition that many families enjoy doing together. Meals are heavily connected to the seasons and most Nordic children have a clear understanding of what foods are in season and when. When it comes to food and the way we eat, balance is essential. Our bodies are built by what we eat and it is so important to eat food that brings us nourishment, as well as joy. I love a good Sunday roast, because it reminds me of happy childhood memories and brings me joy, but I know I have to eat those veggies, too! Through eating nutritious, seasonal food that tastes good and brings us joy, we can find the balance of feel-good eating that’s good for us and the planet.
Another way that the Nords live seasonably is through their homes. We need to rely on our homes to be our sanctuaries now more than ever. A place where we can disconnect from the pressures and craziness of modern life, and fully embrace relaxation and peace, is essential. By curating the items in our spaces and making sure we are surrounded by things that we love and feel comforted by, our homes can help our nervous systems relax and calm down and ultimately, reduce the stress that we experience daily. You need to create spaces in your home that uplift you and make you feel most comfortable. Natural materials like linens, wood, woven baskets, wool blankets and of course plenty of house plants, can help make you feel connected to nature inside your home, which adds an extra layer of calming energy. Nordic homes often have large windows that let in as much natural light as possible, and soft lighting from lamps and candles, to keep the dark winter days at bay. The changing seasons are celebrated in Nordic homes year-round through scented candles (cinnamon and citrus scents for autumn and winter; floral scents for summer and spring), flower wreaths, displays of fresh seasonal flowers and other décor that represents the specific time of year. The Danish concept of Hygge incorporates all of these elements to create an atmosphere that is easy to relax in. If you’d like to read more about Hygge, you can head over to a previous blog post I wrote about it here. Decluttering and keeping our homes organised and tidy is another way to add balance and peace to your home. Clutter often distracts us and creates background ‘noise’ that can take our focus off of what we’re trying to do and this definitely makes it harder to relax and destress. Crafting a home that leaves you feeling at peace and in balance is a key way to support your mental and physical wellbeing.
3. Mindfully Balanced
There is a slow, intentional and calm approach to life in the Nordic countries. Friday afternoons are often spent away from work and purposeful time for coffee breaks is set aside during work days for teams to enjoy altogether. Flexible and remote working is also very normal in the Nordic culture. All of these things add up to a really good work-life balance, supporting overall wellness. In their personal lives, the Nords focus on being together with family and friends, either in their homes, or outdoors in nature. There isn’t any pressure to prepare the perfect table settings or plan the perfect day, things are kept simple and comfortable for everyone. High expectations and fast paced living have placed tremendous pressure and stress on our every day lives. We’re living in a world that seems to never stop. This, of course, creates huge amounts of stress and anxiety and can really impact our mental health badly. Across the Nordic region, nature therapy is being used as a treatment for chronic stress and burnout. It’s been proven that surrounding yourself by nature can be more effective at treating mental health issues than meditation, and we all know how calming meditation practices can be. Nature reminds us to slow down, take notice of the little things and to embrace the moment. It teaches us to be intentional and mindful in the way we’re living our lives. Breathe in the smell of the fresh earth, listen to the brush of the trees or the call of the birds, feel the soft mosses or rough tree bark on your fingertips. Doing these activities brings us back into the present moment and allows our minds to peacefully calm down. Some ideas to help you stay mindfully balanced in our busy world include allowing yourself time to enjoy nature, enjoying the feeling of the sun shining on your skin, spending time connecting with your inner self, and with your loved ones and, simplifying your life and home to avoid over consumerism and over committing in your schedule. Be mindful in crafting a life that feels truly aligned to you.
We can learn a lot from these Nordic traditions to intentionally build a life that feels good and aligns with our core values. It’s essential that we live mindfully and on purpose so that one day, when we look back at our lives, we feel truly proud, grateful and blessed for the life we’ve lived. If you need help creating a peaceful and balanced life and home, please feel free to contact me here, and I’ll gently guide you along this truly rewarding journey.
