Living in an age of too much information and being always online, more tourists are interested in wellness adventures close to nature. The Nordic Countries are a clear example: friluftsliv,(the Scandinavian concept of open-air living) the way they use nature, is used to support healing in everyday life. In Sweden, Norway and Finland, spending time in nature for sustainable travel and mental health is gaining popularity.
What is Nordic Wellness in the Wild?
Nordic wellness forms by linking time-old customs with methods based on nature. Using the wilderness, it helps people focus, heal their bodies and feel at ease. Workshops and seminars pay most attention to ancient, effective rituals, rather than fancy spa treatments. One of the best ways to experience this is to book Stuga i Sälen ( book a cabin in Sälen ) — where you can immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of nature, disconnect from modern distractions, and reconnect with yourself.
- Taking a relaxing time in nature (skogsbada).
- Taking a cold water plunge in lakes or rivers
- Saunas heated by wood in remote places
- Hiking or snowshoeing with focus on the environment
Such activities are based on Nordic philosophy dating back for centuries — that healing is found in getting back in touch with nature.
Why Sälen is the Right Place to Access Nordic Nature Therapy
Although Lapland and the Lofoten Islands are what many think of, Sälen, founded in Dalarna County, Sweden, is an easier and less well-known way to approach Nordic wild wellness. While the town is well-known for skiing, off-season, Sälen becomes peaceful. It offers quiet woods, peaceful paths, hidden lakes and cozy log cabins for complete relaxation.
Such retreats often feature forest meditation, wild food picking and Swedish saunas which might be finished by a plunge into a nearby mountain stream. The quiet of the fjäll (mountains) invites you to look within and reconnect with your surroundings.
Best Nordic Wilderness Wellness Activities
- Winter weather brings on cold therapy and ice dips.
Even though it seems the opposite, getting into freezing or cold water during or right after a sauna can help with your body’s immune system, blood circulation and stress. In most Nordic towns, sauna is most commonly enjoyed along quiet and scenic rivers or lakes, often amid snowy trees.
- The effect of snow outside and inside.
It is hard to find an equal experience to coming out of a sauna into the snow. Wilderness cabins across Sweden, Finland and Norway are now offering private saunas built to preserve the ancient tradition. Detoxification occurs because of the heat and the practice quiets the mind and helps you be present.
- The act of forest bathing (Skogsbada)
This idea originated in Japan but reflects Nordic beliefs; forest bathing means carefully and quietly making your way through a forest. It is thought to reduce levels of cortisol, improve night sleep and boost a person’s creative side. Special forest therapy sessions are available throughout the year in Sälen such as when the branches are covered in snow.
- Mindful Walking in the Mountains
Unlike other hiking, Nordic mindful hiking leads people to slow their pace, take deep breaths and watch their environment closely. Confined trails in Sälenfjällen and Fulufjället National Park let you experience beautiful scenery as well as moments to reflect on your own.
- Silence Retreats
Nordic silence is not only quietness, but also a sign of peace. More and more in Sweden and Norway, silence retreats provide guests with a chance for a digital detox and time to practice attentive listening, journaling and calm. Picture meditation with the soft sounds of snow and birds far in the background.
How Nordic Wild Wellness Helps
Physical activity, time in the cold, being silent and enjoying nature strengthens our health.
- It lessens the experience of anxiety and depression.
- Better sleeping patterns and a better mood
- More energy and concentration
- Better understanding who they are
- More awareness of nature
Nordic wild wellness isn’t focused on results like urban trends; it is all about awareness and connectivity in the moment.
Conclusion
Being in nature in Sweden, for example, encourages a slower way of living which is truly special. With everything moving at a fast pace, the Nordics show us that the real path to well-being is actually to do less mindfully, not more.
