Nature Nuggets - August
Inspiration, tips and other tidbits for leading an open-air life
I just saw the first ad for back-to-school shopping and felt a familiar twinge of sadness. Summers are always short in Sweden and even more so up north, in the Swedish highlands, where I typically spend most of the season. With a couple of guided hiking trips now in the books, it seems like a lifetime ago that I was on some sort of schedule, but here we are, with office commutes, PTA meetings and volleyball practices breathing down my neck.
I do have one more trip left, though, and it’s one that I’ve been looking forward to for months. This week, I’m taking my two daughters to Sweden’s Arctic north, to go hiking in Abisko National Park. It’s been six years since all three of us went on a multi-day, hut-to-hut hiking adventure like this together and I’m so thankful that they agreed to come (at ages 15 and 18, I can no longer take that for granted).
If you’ve read my book There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, you know that Abisko holds a special place in my heart. It was here that my paternal grandmother introduced me to the Swedish highlands for the first time, and by going there with my own daughters, I’m both upholding a generational bond and carrying on a tradition. It’s also an opportunity for my daughters and I to reconnect in an environment where we may hike for hours without cell phone reception (shhhh…I may or may not have told them about that part).
While I’m gone, here are some tips and inspiration for August.
One thing to consider:
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
— Aldo Leopold
Two things to do outside:
Have a fika outdoors. Fika is a Swedish word for sitting down with a beverage - typically tea or coffee for adults and some sort of juice for kids - and a pastry or cookie of your choice. It’s not a snack on the go; it’s an intentional pause in the day when you get to enjoy a little downtime and a sweet treat together with others. (And no, inhaling a coffee in the car while shuttling the kids to the next activity doesn’t count.) Some great fika spots are: under a tree, at a picnic table at a park, in your backyard, on a balcony, on a rock, on the beach…well, I think you get the idea.
Go on a barefoot walk. Did you know that shedding your shoes on a regular basis can improve your balance, strengthen your feet and encourage a more natural gait? Plus, by being in direct contact with the earth, you’re bound for a sensory bonanza - the soles of your feet contain thousands of nerve endings that are constantly sending information to your brain. Most importantly, being barefoot helps us connect with the land. Start by walking on soft surfaces like sand, grass or moss and then gradually work yourself up to more varied environments.
Three things to read:
Can a combination of sauna, cold plunges, hygge and friluftsliv hold the key to a healthier, longer and happier life? More and more Americans seem to be inspired by the Nordic lifestyle, where nature connectedness and togetherness are central ingredients. You can read more about that in this story from The Washington Times.
Nordic walking is hot again - and touted as a great whole-body workout for people who hate running. Outside Magazine has more on this popular Nordic pastime in this story.
I can’t remember if I’ve recommended Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton before, but even if I have, it’s worth mentioning again. In this memoir, Dalton tells the story about her unexpected rescue of a newborn hare - a leveret - and how it turns her world upside down in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not only does the book shine a spotlight on the perilous life of hares, but more than anything, it is also a beautiful tale of the relationship between a wild animal and a human. I’m rarely moved to tears by books, but this one tugged on my heartstrings from the first page. (Affiliate link: If you buy the book, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
See you outside!
Linda
Some housekeeping…
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You might also like…
I want to have a feral woman summer
Jane Goodall is gone. Her teachings aren’t
Why gym class almost ruined exercise for me
Before you go...
I have a curated selection of some of my favorite children's outerwear at Outdoor School Shop. When you shop through the link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check out the Rain or Shine Mamma shop at ODSS here.
I've published two books: There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather and The Open-Air Life. If you enjoyed them, you can help others find them by leaving an Amazon review here and here respectively.
I often get interviewed about outdoor play and nature connection at various podcasts. You can find all the episodes I've participated in here.
Do you have a book club or head up a nature play community? I love doing virtual author visits! Just hit reply to this message to connect.
I do virtual speaking events for corporations, non-profits and online summits. You can read more about that here.
Do YOU have something going on in the nature connection space that you think this community should hear about? If so, hit 'reply' and let me know what you're up to - I'd be happy to share!