Friluftsliv − embracing the outdoors
Recently, I put to myself a simple question: Are there any benefits of undertaking physical activity in the outdoors environment as compared to indoors, whatever the latter entails? This chain of thought came about since the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to the outdoors for many who usually undertook their physical activity inside. There was also a plethora of individuals who picked up regular exercise for the first time during this time, and outdoors was the most natural location. My gut instinct told me, yes, for sure, there must be mental and physical advantages in partaking one’s physical activity outdoors. But then, you see social media plastered with multiple instances where individuals complain on the reduced safety and accessibility of our roads for pedestrians and cyclists, and that countryside access has become more of a hazard rather than an enjoyment, due to the, legal or not, land grabbing of our coastal areas and countryside in general. So is it worth this extra hassle? For clarification’s sake, I walk outdoors regularly and am often baffled at how our countryside has been overridden with interesting signage on where I can and cannot go. This definitely...