A complete guide to Friluftsliv, the Nordic secret to unplugging and connecting more deeply with nature. In The Open-Air Life , Swedish-American writer Linda McGurk introduces readers to a wide array of Nordic customs and practices that focus on slowing down and spending more and more of ones’ time outdoors. An outdoorsy cousin of hygge , friluftsliv is what Nordic people do outside all day before they cozy up in front of the fireplace with their wool socks on and a cup of hot cocoa.   From the pleasures of foraging for wild berries and birding to how to stay warm and cozy outside in the middle of winter, this charmingly illustrated, inspirational guide shows readers how to harness the power-of-nature to improve their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships with both other people and Mother Nature. Readers will learn:   Why and how they should spend more time outside - How to use friluftsliv to combat stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout - Practical skills like making fire, cooking outdoors and cleaning water on the go.    For country and city lovers alike, this book will serve as an essential guide to slowing down in this modern, fast paced society and connecting with the natural world. “Whatever you do, get outside! It’s time to reclaim our mind-body health, as well as the lives of our children, from the indoor grind of always-on tech and brain-scattering media. Linda Åkeson McGurk’s gentle but inspiring approach rekindles our faith in the outdoors, whether we’re just sleeping on our own porch or taking a long hike in the woods. With her useful everyday tips, we’re reminded how easy it can be to reconnect ourselves and our families to the instant and deep benefits of nature.” —Anu Partanen, author of The Nordic Theory of Everything “In The Open-Air Life, Linda Åkeson McGurk takes us on a fascinating journey to explore how nature can enhance our lives. While some of the general concepts are familiar, she adds a unique perspective by introducing us to terminology and customs rooted in strong tradition from her native country, Sweden, and the surrounding Nordic countries. Through poetic storytelling, helpful checklists, and informative illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, she educates and inspires us to step outdoors into the fresh air and bring a number of nature-connection habits into our daily lives no matter where we live, our age, or what language we use to describe them.” —Sandi Schwartz, author of Finding Ecohappiness “Discover the Nordic secret to unplugging and connecting more deeply with nature: friluftstliv. I highly recommend The Open-Air Life to nature lovers everywhere.” —Dr. Qing Li, professor, Nippon Medical School, and author of Forest Bathing “Linda McGurk has given us a fine guide to caring for our true nature by connecting to the rest of nature. My hat’s off (but soon to be back on, as I’m going for a hike).” —Richard Louv, author of Vitamin N and Last Child in the Woods “Reading the prose of Linda Åkeson McGurk is always a reminder to be intentional about connecting with what I know deep in my bones: that going outside is going home. The Open-Air Life is an invitation to claim a way of being in the world that deems time outside as essential as breathing or drinking clean water. Full of practical tips and inspiring stories, this book is an essential guide for anyone who wants to further embrace life in the open air.” —Heidi Barr, author of Collisions of Earth and Sky and 12 Tiny Things Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish-American freelance writer and author who believes life is better outside. Her first book, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secret for Raising Healthy, Resilient and Confident Children was published by Touchstone/S&S in October 2017 to critical acclaim. She lives with her family in Sweden. Introduction   On any given workday, I spend most of my time sitting at a desk, in front of a screen, while my phone and email notifications are constantly poking me for attention. I have about fifty-six differ­ent website tabs and seventeen Word files open on my laptop while simultaneously fighting Wi-Fi issues and at least a couple of soft­ware installations gone wrong. Subconsciously my brain is also processing an incessant flow of mental clutter, from remembering to schedule dental appointments for my daughters to planning what we are going to have for dinner and wondering if I really emp­tied that load of laundry that I ran two days ago. By the time I wrap up work and the girls come back from school in the afternoon, I often feel like I’m spent, finished, deep-fried.   I know I’m not alone. In fact, this is the reality for many of us. We do our best to balance the demands of family life, work, and other commitments, but many of us do it in an environment that researchers have found is inherently bad for our mental and physical health—indoors, plugged into our various elect