08-09 Apr 2024
St. Martins Spa & Lodge,
Frauenkirchen,
Austria
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14-15 Apr 2024
ExCel,
London,
United Kingdom
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22-24 Apr 2024
Galgorm Resort,
York,
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23-25 Apr 2024
Phoenix Convention Center,
Phoenix,
United States
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28-30 Apr 2024
Radisson Blu Hotel,
Glasgow,
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08-08 May 2024
Hotel Melià ,
Milano ,
Italy
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10-12 May 2024
China Import & Export Fair Complex,
Guangzhou,
China
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13-16 May 2024
Conrad Chia Laguna Sardinia ,
Italy
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What is friluftsliv and how could it help people’s wellbeing during the COVID-19 era? |
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By Megan Whitby 05 Oct 2020 |
Research published in 2015 went so far as to call natural areas Credit: Shutterstock/Dzmitrock
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The pandemic’s outbreak caused many people to use time in nature as a coping mechanism and an outlet to deal with the global health crisis and subsequent lockdown.
In Scandinavia, time outdoors is passionately encouraged and even celebrated, using the philosophy of ‘friluftsliv’ which is deeply rooted in the nation’s history.
The term was originally coined by Norwegian poet, Henrik Ibsen, who used the term to describe the ‘value of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical wellbeing’, according to BBC Worklife.
Translated loosely as ‘open-air living’, friluftsliv is the Scandinavian concept of celebrating the outdoors and the important connection between humans and nature.
Prior to COVID-19, the increasingly urbanised and fast-paced world made it harder for people to both easily access natural spaces and make time to explore them. However, growing numbers of people are spending more time outdoors and it seems this could have the potential to improve physical and mental health too, with scientists providing a host of evidence to support that nature is beneficial for wellbeing.
For example, research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in 2003 indicated that trees and woodlands can have a healing effect on the mind, while a 2010 study by scientists at the University of Essex’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Environment and Society found that regular nature walks can improve mental wellness.
Another article – published in 2015 with American Academy of the Sciences – even went so far as to call natural areas "vital for mental health".
With this in mind, friluftsliv could become a driver to help people sustain their wellbeing using nature during the pandemic and potential future lockdowns. It could be used as a celebratory concept to inspire people to spend even more time outdoors and take it up with a newfound enthusiasm.
As spas have reopened, many have begun embracing the outdoors, with Glen Ivy Hot Springs offering outdoor treatments and Lefay’s Lake Garda resort launching guided wellness retreats in nature.
"Even before COVID-19, more and more academic studies were highlighting the benefits of prescribing a connection with nature and the great outdoors,” said Dr Carlo Barbieri, president of Lefay’s Spa Method Scientific Committee.
“Physical issues such as joint pain and obesity as well as mental states of anxiety and depression are all proven to benefit from connection with nature and outdoor activities.”
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News |
1 to 12 of 8682 news stories |
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28 Mar 2024
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28 Mar 2024
A new urban city centre in Gothenburg, Sweden is in development with the aim of accelerating health innovation. Next Step Group and Vectura Fastigheter joined forces to create GoCo Health Innovation City, with over US$400 ... More
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28 Mar 2024
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27 Mar 2024
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26 Mar 2024
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25 Mar 2024
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22 Mar 2024
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21 Mar 2024
The Covery, a lifestyle optimisation wellness brand, has announced a new licensing partnership with Aura Spa, solidifying its commitment to broadening access to recovery and wellness therapies throughout the US. This strategic partnership will introduce ... More
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20 Mar 2024
The International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation has released the 2024 edition of its Consumer Snapshot research initiative, shedding light on the behaviours and preferences of regular spa-goers in the US. This research series, commissioned by ... More
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19 Mar 2024
The team behind TRIB3 has launched a reformer Pilates studio concept called PILAT3S, which will be available either as a standalone franchise, or as a club-in-club concept, aiming to take the exercise modality into the ... More
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19 Mar 2024
Wello Works, a new concept which mixes a wellness centre and a co-working office, has launched its first site in Sydney. The brainchild of wellness veteran, Tony de Leede, Wello Works has been designed to ... More
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18 Mar 2024
The International Sauna Association's (ISA) Sauna Aid initiative is asking for donations to establish a sauna complex in Ukraine to provide a sanctuary for Ukrainians amid the conflict with Russia. The organisation wants to realise ... More
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Lemi Group |
Lemi Group designs and produces treatment tables, chairs and multi-functional furniture and
[more] |
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Living Earth Crafts refreshes market-leading Century City bed
Living Earth Crafts (LEC) has re-launched its best-selling multipurpose spa treatment table
the Century City™, redesigned to include both the ultra-luxurious Strata Cloudfill™
replaceable SpaMattress™ and the only Thermasoft™ Dual-Zone Embedded Table Warmer on the
market. ... more
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