“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”
Blair Braverman, adventurer, dogsled racer, survivalist, dynamo
My good friend Caroline tipped me off to a movement that has us circling back to basics. As screen time rockets across the globe, 1000 Hours Outside urges us to dial back to an era when being outside just for the fun of it was the norm, not the exception. Many of us fondly remember a childhood in which you went home when the streetlights came on.
THAT time.
This idea is as straightforward as it comes. GET. OUTSIDE. Ideally, for about 1000 hours per year.
“The entire purpose of 1000 Hours Outside is to attempt to match nature time with screen time”.
Ginny Yurich, M. Ed., Founder of 1000 Hours
The concept is aimed at children but could just as easily be aimed at adults. We’re ALL addicted to those screens. I don’t need to tell you the dreary statistics.
We’re at a junction in history when our relationship to technology will either consume us or will pendulum back to a more moderate pace, one which takes the best technology has to offer and consciously makes time and space for the glory in simply being alive.
Not surprisingly, there are heaps of research to back up the health benefits of being in nature without an agenda, stopwatch, or step counter. Children who play freely are shown to be more resilient adults, for one.
Common sense, and more heaps of research, tell us the physical and mental health benefits are true of all people, regardless of age (for said research, feel free to check out my book, which is just rife with this kind of stuff).
Friluftsliv (I can’t pronounce it either)
The Norwegians have been practicing this philosophy for a very long time.
Friluftsliv, or ‘outdoor life’ is as essential to Norway’s national identity as cross-country skis or woolen sweaters. The art of just being outside, whether for a walk, hike, ski, or purely for relaxation, is practiced widely and enthusiastically. In fact, it’s the most popular leisure activity – higher than all organized sports put together.
Interesting, considering Norway dominated the 2022 Winter Olympics, setting the record for more gold medals than any other country at a single Winter Games.
A whopping nine out of ten Norwegians report getting some form of outdoor time daily, in a Northern nation no less. That’s a staggering statistic.
Hitting 1000 hours outside in one year roughly translates to 3 hours daily.
Depending on your habits, this can seem a shocking number or entirely doable. In Norway, it would seem, it’s a way of life.
The Elephant in the Room
Let’s be real. There’s that little thing called weather to factor into this equation. It’s easy to spend long stretches of time outside in the spring, summer, and fall. Who wouldn’t want to be out in nature on a gorgeous day?
But depending on your geography, winter is a beast, and though I’m a Canadian, I hear rumours summer can be equally fierce.
Let’s assume that we naturally spend more time outdoors for 6-8 months of the year. Then there’s all those mundane tasks life throws at you, such as work! Three hours a day can seem like an impossible target, and on some days, it is.
The spirit of this philosophy is not holding yourself to a hard and fast daily number. It’s about intent.
If you like counting the hours and it helps, fantastic. But if you prefer to freewheel, that works too.
The end goal is to increase outdoor time whenever you have a chance, and to bring an awareness of when you’re on autopilot (usually staring at, you guessed it, a screen).
Even a rainy, cloudy, or stormy day can be downright gorgeous once you’ve kicked yourself off the couch. Go on. Just do it.
You’ll be happy you did.
Hi, I’m Heather.
I’m a licensed naturopath, an unlicensed free spirit, a mother, a yogi, a dog lover, a mystic, a goofball, an average but enthusiastic dancer. Most of all, I’m curious.
I’m on a mission to bring you on a magical mystery tour of wellness, whimsy, and wanderlust. Thanks for tuning in.
Connect with me on Instagram @heather.r.martin