Swedish Tourism Board Launches Innovative Initiative
The Swedish Tourism Board has launched a groundbreaking global initiative, allowing doctors to prescribe a trip to Sweden as an alternative to certain medications, with the goal of promoting well-being through immersion in nature and participation in cultural activities.
The official campaign website offers visitors the opportunity to download a "travel prescription" form, which they can present to their doctor as a suggestion for a complementary treatment focused on relaxation, nature, and mental well-being.
American doctor Stacy Blair Steirer, a specialist in environmental activities for her patients, commented: "Nature, social interactions, and culture have real therapeutic power, and Sweden offers all these elements in abundance. I am open to the idea of recommending a trip to Sweden to improve my patients' mental health."
This initiative is part of the development of "green prescriptions," medical recommendations that encourage time spent in nature or participation in social and cultural activities, considered complementary treatments for anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
