A sauna in Swedish Lapland for better sleep quality, cold plunges in the archipelago for improved circulation or a music festival in Gothenburg to raise serotonin levels? These activities could become doctor’s orders. Patients from around the world can now request a medical referral from their physician to benefit from the restorative qualities of visiting the country.
Watch how experiences in Sweden can boost health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqo3PZwOZhk
Sweden is raising awareness of doctor-recommended nature, social and cultural activities as complementary or alternative approaches to conventional treatments. This research-backed list of Sweden-based experiences, reviewed by a senior professor and outlining the health effects of each activity, is publicly available and can be downloaded. While many (72% across 9 countries) are unaware of nature prescriptions, 64% said they would be open to following a doctor’s recommendations to spend time in nature. According to a global YouGov survey, seven out of ten medical professionals (67%) in the UK would recommend Sweden as a travel destination to improve health.
“Visiting Sweden is like a natural health remedy. Now doctors from around the world can prescribe a visit to Sweden for the benefit of their patients. Our cosy fika tradition, our “lagom”-balanced lifestyle and our easily accessible nature feel like balsam to the body and soul”, says Susanne Andersson, CEO at Visit Sweden.
Over 80% of UK medical professionals in the survey would consider issuing a social prescription even if the patients didn’t request one. Notably, only around 30% of the respondents would consider making such a request during a doctor’s appointment.
“Nature, social settings and culture have restorative powers, and evidently, Sweden has these assets in abundance. Though many patients seem not to know that they can initiate this discussion with their doctors, as a physician, I would welcome discussing with my patients how Swedish nature and lifestyle could benefit their health – and am open to prescribing a visit to the country if my patients request it”, says London-based GP, Dr. Sam Everington.
Nature plays a crucial role in human health and wellbeing, says the World Health Organisation (WHO). And medical prescriptions to spend time in nature, so-called nature prescriptions, have been increasing as a preventive healthcare strategy. A systematic review of studies revealed that nature prescription programmes showed evidence of benefits for physical and mental health.
With its extensive forests providing easily accessible space for a soothing forest bath, a capital boasting the cleanest air in Europe, and clean lakes for taking cold plunges that enhance blood circulation, global indices consistently rank Sweden very high for its natural environment and lifestyle. An opportunity to highlight how travelling there on a nature, social or cultural prescription can boost health and wellbeing.
Did you know that Sweden has:
- 69% forest cover, and with only 3% of land inhabited, Sweden is one of Europe’s most sparsely populated countries
- The world’s first urban national park: Royal National City Park in Stockholm
- 267,570 islands, the most islands of any country in the world
- 31 national parks and 5,755 nature reserves
- Over 100,000 lakes, which cover almost 9% of the country’s surface area.
The Swedish Prescription – how it works
A research-backed destination prescription programme has been curated and made available at visitsweden.com. The programme is based on three intervention themes: nature, culture and social prescribing. The health benefits of each activity presented have been reviewed by Yvonne Forsell, senior professor at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, one of the world’s leading medical universities.
Also online, patients around the world can now download a medical referral to support an application to their General Practitioner, and benefit from a restorative experience in Sweden that could improve their health. For instance, picking cloudberries in the forest to lower blood pressure or sleeping under a starry sky on an island in the archipelago to help regulate the circadian rhythm.
GPs can now generate a prescription and advise patients to spend time in Sweden. General Practitioners/Doctors have been identified who are ready to issue such a prescription when appropriate. For patients who choose to visit, Sweden, together with doctors, has curated three medical programmes that patients can benefit from: nature, social, arts and culture. All expenses incurred in relation to the prescription are paid by the patient themselves.
But be aware, side effects may include a heightened desire for cinnamon buns and friluftsliv.
About a social prescription in the UK
In the UK, 73% have never heard of a social prescription, while 21% have heard about it but not been prescribed it. Only 3% had a prescription issued by their physician.
Two out of every three patients (66%) would be open to spending time in nature if their physician prescribed it, and almost half (42%) would be open to asking their doctor about a nature prescription.
“We have made great strides in making the social prescription a more integral part of public health in the UK – but there is still so much more to be done. I welcome Sweden’s initiative and hope it will help break down institutional and organisational barriers, ultimately benefiting all patients”, says Dr. Sam Everington.
For more information about nature, culture and social prescriptions in the United Kingdom:
- RSPB Nature Prescriptions
- Dose of Nature
- NHS England
- NHS Forest
- Greener Practice
- National Association of Link Workers
- Artlift
More Information on the Swedish Prescription:
visitsweden.com/the-swedish-prescription/
Tags: social prescription Dr. Sam Everington, visitsweden
