Therapeutic Power of Nature: Forests and Morning Swims Boost Mental Health in Sweden

In Sweden, nature is increasingly recognized as a vital resource for mental health improvement against the backdrop of rising stress and anxiety. Recent insights highlight the therapeutic effects of spending time in forests and engaging in morning swims.

Crown Princess Victoria recently inaugurated the Storkriket biosphere area in Skåne, a prime example of natural landscapes providing spaces for recreation and psychological recovery. Ann Dolling, a researcher at SLU, has demonstrated that forest exposure significantly reduces stress markers such as pulse rate and blood pressure, while enhancing mood and emotional harmony. Importantly, these benefits arise not only from vigorous exercise but from simple activities like slow walking or sitting quietly in nature—practices akin to Japan’s Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing.

Parallel to this, psychologist Helena Kubicek Boye underscores the mental health benefits of year-round morning swims. Particularly for individuals experiencing depression, regular swimming in the morning elevates mood throughout the day, offering a natural boost to psychological well-being.

The Centerpartiet party stresses the importance of prioritizing natural areas both for public health and biodiversity. They propose promoting "nature on prescription" as an effective treatment alternative and advocate for voluntary conservation efforts to increase access to recreational forests.

Together, forest immersion and morning swimming stand out as accessible, evidence-based methods for managing stress and enhancing mental health across Sweden, suggesting a promising shift toward harnessing nature’s healing properties.