SAD . . . Seasonal Affective Disorder is attributed to the long, cold, dark days of winter. Yet, Scandinavian countries, where cold-dark thirty resides for 5 months each year, are consistently ranked among the happiest countries . . . Why?
Friluftsliv – “free air life” – the mood-boosting Nordic concept of connecting with nature; breathing in fresh, frigid air; and embracing the beauty and simplicity of nature in the great outdoors. Promoting spiritual and physical well-being, it was popularized by Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen in the 1850s.
As a far-eastern Scandinavian (AKA Alaskan), I can attest this icily inspiring therapy works! . . . though some may claim I’m merely delusional 😊.
“But I don’t have the parkas, snow boots, scarves ,mittens, long-johns, etc. to endure such harsh winter conditions.” . . . no attire excuses! . . . as my Swedish heritage says (my Ancestry profile claims I’m 8% Swedish), “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.”
Soooooo . . . suit-up and get out there to enjoy some uplifting 3-F activity . . . Freezing, Frolicking, Fun 😊.
Here’s a few pics from Freddy’s refreshing, 22 degree, Friluftsliv day.
“They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty – and I will proclaim your great deeds.”
Psalm 145:5
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
Abba's Art 
Whenever I had jobs where I went to work in the dark and got home in the dark (much of my life) and worked inside, I had that winter time SAD clobber me for a few months.
They are right about good clothes in cold weather. One can stay very warm in very cold weather.
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Gorgeous pictures! It always fascinated me, that despite the long spells of cold days in the Scandinavian regions, their people are one of the happiest.
This post makes us want to “feel alive”. Wonderful!
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