As summer fades into autumn, many of us return to more structured routines. After the lazy days of summer, getting back into the swing of things can feel like a challenge. For some this is a welcome change but for others it feels like a let down after the carefree summer days. But instead of dreading the return to the grind of every day life, why not embrace the change of season with a few Nordic-inspired habits that can help ease the transition?
Here’s how you can bring some of those simple Nordic habits into your life this fall.
Embrace Friluftsliv: Reconnect with Nature
Friluftsliv is the Nordic concept of “open-air living”. It is all about spending time outdoors, regardless of the weather. This outdoor lifestyle can be summed up by the enthusiastic Scandinavian motto "there is no bad weather, only bad clothes".
If this sounds a little intimidating and overly peppy it does not need to be, it simply means being outside.
As the days grow shorter and cooler, it can be tempting to hide indoors, but I think autumn is one of the best seasons to head outside. It's less hot, less humid, and less buggy! Take a walk, go for a hike, or simply enjoy your coffee break (“fika”) outside.
Spending regular time outside can help reduce stress and improve your mood. And it does not have to be a lot time, research shows that spending 2 hours outdoors every week increases your mood and wellbeing.
Prioritize Rest: Slowing Down
When fall comes it feels like the world is slowing down and getting ready for a long rest. As the season changes, so do our energy levels and sleep patterns. As we move towards winter we tend to sleep longer, as the days get shorter and the temperatures decrease.
I often find myself trying to push ahead and through this sluggish feeling, but this fall instead of fighting it, I am going to try to embrace it and listen to my body.
Allow yourself to rest more, perhaps even going to bed a bit earlier (so hard, so very very hard) . Creating a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation can help you adjust to the new season and ensure you’re well-rested.
Savor Seasonal Foods: Try Nordic Inspired Fall Dishes
Nordic cuisine is deeply rooted in seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Fall dishes tend to be warm and hearty. Think root vegetables, wild mushrooms, and wholesome grains.
Incorporating seasonal foods into your diet has many advantages. First of all it is fun to explore markets for what is in season, finding new fruits and vegetables to try. Fruits and vegetables that ripen naturally also have higher levels of vitamins and minerals, tend to taste better and are often cheaper. Finally shopping for seasonal and locally sourced foods also help support the local farmers (and the local economy) and is more environmentally friendly as goods are not transported around the world.
As we fall into fall a classic Nordic dish like a root vegetable stew or oven-baked salmon with roasted potatoes can be both comforting and nutritious.
Practice Hygge: Create Cozy, Comfortable Spaces for Fall
As the temperatures drop, the Danish concept of hygge seems even more important to me. Hygge is all about creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere that makes you feel happy. I love Lauren Garvey's quote "I think of Hygge as mindfulness wrapped in a blanket". To get comfortable and cozy do what makes you feel happy; maybe lighting a few candles, wrapping yourself in a soft blanket, or enjoying a cup of tea in your favorite cozy place. You can even make it part of your weekly time outdoors! Why not bring a blanket outside with a cup of tea and some lights or candles?
Creating small moments of comfort in your daily life can make the transition into fall feel more gentle. It is all about finding small moments of joy and contentment every day.
"I think of Hygge as mindfulness wrapped in a blanket." – Lauren Garvey, MS, CRC, NCC
Set Intentions: Reflect and Plan for the Season Ahead
Fall is a natural time for reflection. As we kick off the new school year, or come back after vacation it is often a time of planning and taking stock of your goals and priorities. Take some time to think about what you want to achieve in the coming months. Whether it’s focusing on personal growth, starting a new project, or simply maintaining balance in your life, setting clear, achievable goals can give you a sense of purpose and direction.
Conclusion
Transitioning from the freedom of summer to the structure of fall doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on simple habits and routines in our every day lives we can refocus on ourselves and our wellbeing. Reconnect with nature, listen to your body, savor seasonal foods, create cozy spaces, and set meaningful intentions. I’m excited to dive deeper into each of these practices this season and explore how they can enrich our routines. Stay tuned as we journey through these Nordic-inspired habits together this fall.
Sources and Resources
White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
Mattingly SM, Grover T, Martinez GJ, Aledavood T, Robles-Granda P, Nies K, Striegel A, Mark G. The effects of seasons and weather on sleep patterns measured through longitudinal multimodal sensing. NPJ Digit Med. 2021 Apr 28;4(1):76. doi: 10.1038/s41746-021-00435-2. PMID: 33911176; PMCID: PMC8080821.
University of Maryland Medical System (n.d.). The Benefits of Seasonal Eating. Retrieved from https://health.umms.org/2022/04/05/seasonal-eating/
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Barley and Fall Vegetables (Oct. 16, 2020). True North Kitchen. https://true-north-kitchen.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew-with-barley-and-fall-vegetables/
Norwegian Salmon with Dill Sauce (n.d.). Seafood From Norway. https://www.seafoodfromnorway.co.uk/recipes/salmon/norwegian-salmon-with-dill-sauce-/
Being Cozy Is Good For Your Health (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/being-cozy-is-good-for-your-health
Riopel, Leslie (June 14, 2019). The Importance, Benefits and Value of Goal Setting. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-goal-setting/
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