Monday, September 27, 2021

Uitwaaien: Dutch word for spending time in the wind

In the Netherlands, people have been seeking out windy exercise for more than a hundred years. Today, the practice is so common that it’s known as “uitwaaien.” It “literally translates to ‘outblowing,’” explains Caitlin Meyer, a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam’s Department of Dutch Linguistics. “It’s basically the activity of spending time in the wind, usually by going for a walk or a bike ride.” Meyer has lived in the Netherlands for more than 20 years and has come to specialize in the language, despite being a non-native speaker. She says uitwaaien is a popular activity where she lives—one believed to have important psychological benefits. “Uitwaaien is something you do to clear your mind and feel refreshed—out with the bad air, in with the good,” she tells me. “It’s seen as a pleasant, easy, and relaxing experience—a way to destress or escape from daily life.”

https://nautil.us/blog/the-simple-dutch-cure-for-stress

uitwaaien

[ out-vahyn ]

noun
the Dutch practice of jogging or walking into the wind, especially in the winter, for the purpose of feeling invigorated while relieving stress and boosting one’s general health: I halfheartedly gave uitwaaien a try, but now I long for windy days so I can get out there and breathe in a nice relaxing gust of good health!
verb (used without object)
to engage in this practice: I enjoy the everyday walks with my friends, but when I uitwaaien I'd rather be by myself.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/uitwaaien

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