Relax & Reload - 10 reasons for an autumn getaway

Weekends and getaways can be exactly what you need to help you relax and reload your batteries for times to come. If you are the kind of person who love being outside in beautiful places, you're in luck. There are studies showing that being engaged in nature and it´s beauty can reduce stress, improve the way you feel, change the way you see things around you, and boost your creativity.

What would be a good place to get all these effects? The world is full of beautiful places but being from Sweden, there is one standing out from the crowd; Jämtland Härjedalen with the mountains, lakes, forests and cultural destinations. The alpine playgrounds are particularly inspiring in the fall, when empty trails and vibrant colors make it the perfect place to relax, reset your mind and recharge your reserves for winter.

1. Find your Happy Place

Blanktjärn is a tiny tarn with the most amazing turquoise water. The hike to get to this small swedish lake goes through windswept pine trees and past small meadows used for summer grazing in the old days. Walking or running to this lake isn't just a good workout in a stunning setting. It’s good for your spirit, too. Studies have shown that people who spend time outdoors have fewer negative feelings about themselves and spending time outdoors near "blue spaces," including lakes, rivers, and oceans, improve overall happiness. 
https://adventuresweden.com/trail-running-around-swedish-lakes/

2. Solitude as a Remedy

Leave your phone, fidget spinner and even companion and clear your head, focus your mind, and make space for new ideas. The St Olavsleden pilgrim trail will take you at least 30 days to walk in its entirety. But you are likely to find peace after a maximum of two days walking between Selånger on the swedish east coast through Bräcke, Östersund and Åre in Jämtland towards the Nidaros Dome in Trondheim, Norway. If you do not have 30 days to spare you can divide your pilgrimage and do it in stages. The train run by Norrtåg from Sundsvall to Storlien runs alongside most of the part for a perfect combination. September and October with the leaves sparkling in yellow, orange and red will give you memorable moments on your pilgrimage. 
https://adventuresweden.com/st-olavsleden-a-nordic-pilgrims-dream/

3. Sharpens Focus

Spending time outdoors improve your flexibility and help you concentrate. This also applies on kids. Bring your kids outside, experience nature together and you will help them feel calm and at peace as they have to concentrate in school. A good place to work on your focus together with your kids is Funäsfjällen with lots of MTB trails in a beautiful mountain setting. The highly scenic trails are marked so you will know which ones are technical singletrack, and which will be better for beginners. 
https://adventuresweden.com/cycling-in-funasfjallen/

4. Mindfulness

Life is to be enjoyed, says Evelina Åslund, the entrepreneur behind Joy Event, a company offering hunting in Sweden combined with health and wellbeing. Hunting in the morning, yoga after lunch - a whole-body experience to make you better at taking in what is here and now. Hunting for grouse is all about focus and interplay between the hunter and the dog. The setting for the hunt and the yoga afterwards is the colourful autumn mountain. Perfect for practicing mindfulness!
https://adventuresweden.com/mindful-bird-hunting-sweden/

5. Reduce Stress

Anyone who likes to take a walk in the woods will most likely recognize statements of it helping to lower stress than do urban environments. Why not do it like Emil Åreng, one of Sweden´s top bartenders, who combines his forest walks with foraging to get new ideas and invent fresh flavours for his famous drinks. 
https://adventuresweden.com/forest-cocktail/

6. Connect with Your Loved Ones

It is hard to go hungry in Jämtland Härjedalen. Over the years the artisan food producers of the region has won a considerable number of medals in the Swedish Culinary Cuisine Championships. Östersund and the surrounding destinations have quite a few restaurants on the best-of-listings, this combined has led to the appointment by UNESCO of Östersund being a city of Gastronomy. Eating out for a picnic or at a restaurant is a great chance to hang out with friends, and studies confirm what we all feel: Deep friendships make life better.
https://adventuresweden.com/nordic-cuisine/

7. Back to Basics

It’s easy to be caught up in social media, watching marathon tv-series, working late, missing out on exercising, eating bad and totally wreck your inner balance. Take a trip to the stone age rock carvings at Glösa and tune into a past reality. It is hard to get closer to our ancestors than in a place like this, by their actual artwork, next to a creek, in the forest with the birds as the only sounds surrounding you. Why not take a nap in the stone age hut and dig deeper into what we can figure out about the people living here about 4000 years ago. Take in the exhibits on their beliefs and everyday tools at the small adjoining museum and start your new life in Glösa!
https://adventuresweden.com/rock-carvings-culture-sweden/

8. Boost Your Creativity

Trying to come up with a killer new invention, or trying to finish a report? Take a hike! Chances are high for you to come back as a new person boosted with creativity after a multi-day backpacking trip. It may well be the time away from social media or the influence of time spent under the stars, either way, it is worth a try don´t you think? Follow the link for info on the top 10 hiking routes of Jämtland Härjedalen and find your fuel:
https://adventuresweden.com/top-10-hiking-routes/

9. Stay Sharp & Smart

One of the best late autumn or early winter experiences in Jämtland Härjedalen is skating. There is a network of skaters who communicate which tarns are first to freeze and you can meet people far out in the mountains on MTB with their skates tied to their backpacks. Good thing there are studies showing exercise keeps people sharper as they age than their non-exercising peers. A skating experience on a frozen lake is something you will want to remember! https://adventuresweden.com/outdoor-ice-skating/

10. Indulge Yourself

Treating yourself to a spa moment or dreaming away in a hot tub with the colourful autumn mountains around you do not need a particular introduction. Everyone, young or old, will want to come back time and time again after having spent time in the swedish mountains, indulging themselves with a spa treatment after a strenuous day hiking or biking. It is that perfect combination and a perfect ending to this list! 
https://adventuresweden.com/swedish-sauna-spa-hot-tubs/