One of Europe’s ‘happiest’ countries ‘prescribed’ by doctors

One of the EU’s cheeriest nations, Sweden, has become the first country in the world to be prescribed by doctors, Euronews writes.

In a satirical new campaign, Sweden’s tourist board has leaned into its holistic culture and way of life, arguing it offers a whole host of unique activities that can support both mental and physical health.

The country, which ranks as a global leader in quality of life and is consistently crowned one of the world’s happiest countries, has joined forces with senior professor Yvonne Forsell to create the ‘Swedish Prescription’.

Recommendations include “recharging in the Swedish forest” to help ease stress and improve focus, getting a restorative night’s sleep thanks to the country’s cool temperatures, clean air, and lack of noise pollution, as well as trying the Swedish habit of ‘Fika’.

Other ‘prescriptions’ include raising your spirit with Swedish music, boosting your energy on a bike ride, or visiting one of the many museums and public outdoor art across the country.

“Sweden is filled with activities that make you feel good,” Forsell says in the campaign’s promotional video. “Here in Sweden, the sun won’t go down for 100 days. Just imagine what 24/7 light therapy could do for you. So get your doctor to prescribe Sweden and see what we can do for your wellness”.

While Visit Sweden’s campaign is supposed to be lighthearted, it has been endorsed by a slew of professionals, including board-certified paediatrician Dr Stacy Beller Stryer, Vice President of the British Medical Association Dr Sam Everington, researcher PD Dr Michael Jeitler, and physical and rehabilitation medicine specialist Dr Maaike ten Thije-de Boer.