Healing Through Sweden
The concept of healing journeys prescribed by doctors, developed by Visit Sweden, is grounded in extensive scientific research. It revolves around three main themes: nature, culture, and social purpose (which refers to the connection with non-medical activities and groups for wellness). All these elements encourage people to enjoy the best that Sweden has to offer.
Leading this innovative public health model is Professor Yvonne Forssell, a senior lecturer at the Karolinska Institute. On the Visit Sweden website, she and her team wrote: “Sweden’s unique lifestyle, rooted in harmony and accessibility to nature and culture, makes it an ideal place for restoring the mind and body.”
Anyone interested can download a prescription for healing through Sweden from the Visit Sweden website, then present it to their family doctor to discuss whether a health trip to this country is advisable.
What Will Heal You?
The authors of this concept remind us that connecting with nature and engaging with culture are scientifically supported methods for maintaining both mental and physical health. And Sweden is the perfect place for this.
Here, for instance, you can relieve stress by heading into the woods to pick wild apples or cloudberries, where the only sounds breaking the silence are the songs of birds. Notably, cloudberries help detoxify the body, shed excess weight, and lower blood pressure.
In Sweden, you can swim carefree in crystal-clear lakes and fall asleep under a starry sky, far from .
Another wonderful way to rejuvenate is by immersing yourself in the local way of life, which is steeped in harmony. A followed by a dip in cold water enhances well-being and improves sleep, as reported by Daily Mail.
Boosting serotonin levels—the hormone of joy and happiness—can be achieved through a stroll along the world’s longest art exhibition, visiting museums, or attending classical music concerts or one of the many heavy metal bands.
A potential side effect of this wellness journey may be an increased craving for cinnamon buns, which are exceptionally delicious in Sweden.
British Doctors Show Interest in This Initiative
Not all general practitioners may take the idea of prescribing Sweden seriously. However, in the UK, there is already a list of doctors willing to issue referrals to this Scandinavian country upon a patient’s request.
Moreover, according to a global YouGov survey, 67 percent of healthcare professionals in the UK would recommend Sweden as a destination for improving health.
Dr. Sam Everington from London noted, “Nature, social environment, and culture have restorative power, and it’s clear that Sweden has plenty of these resources.”
“I welcome Sweden’s initiative and hope it can break down institutional and organizational barriers for the benefit of patients,” he added.
Photo: Unsplash