Sweden Becomes First Country to Prescribe Travel—Doctor’s Orders

What if your doctor handed you a prescription not for pills but for a trip to Sweden?

A sauna in Swedish Lapland for better sleep, cold plunges to boost circulation, or a music festival in Gothenburg to lift your mood. Sweden is turning these experiences into a doctor-approved prescription.

A new global survey conducted by YouGov for Visit Sweden revealed that most people are not familiar with the concept of a nature or cultural prescription. In the U.S., 64% of adults reported never having heard of a nature prescription, and only 6% had ever received one from a physician.

Yet interest is high. Nearly two-thirds said they would spend time in nature if their doctor recommended it, and almost half would consider asking about it proactively.

The idea is simple. Nature, culture, and social connection have been shown to have numerous benefits for physical and mental health. The World Health Organization recognizes that access to nature can enhance well-being, reduce stress, and lower the risk of certain chronic conditions.

The idea of prescribing time in nature is not new. Programs in the U.S., such as those promoted by Park RxAmerica, have already shown evidence of cardiometabolic and mental health benefits. However, Visit Sweden’s initiative is among the first to pair this approach with international travel, providing doctors and patients with a compelling, science-based reason to plan a restorative trip abroad.

“Nature, social settings, and culture have restorative powers, and Sweden has these assets in abundance,” says Dr. Stacy Beller Stryer, Associate Medical Director for Park RxAmerica. “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.”

Sweden has released a research-backed list of activities, vetted by a senior professor at Stockholm’s Karolinska Institutet, that highlights each experience and its proven health benefits.

Examples include forest bathing in Sweden, which has a 69% forest cover, linked to lower blood pressure and reduced stress; cold plunges in one of the country’s nearly 100,000 lakes to boost circulation and energy; and stargazing overnight on one of Sweden’s 267,570 islands to help reset the circadian rhythm.

Even cultural activities are included. From music festivals in Gothenburg that raise serotonin levels to Sweden’s iconic fika tradition, an unhurried coffee break that encourages mindfulness and connection.

Sweden is well-positioned to support this initiative. Stockholm was recently recognized as having the cleanest air of any European capital, and Sweden is also home to the world’s first urban national park, the Royal National City Park, offering a beautiful green space within the city itself.

With forests, thousands of lakes, multiple archipelago trails, and a culture rooted in sustainability, Sweden consistently ranks among the world’s leaders for environmental quality and quality of life.

“Visiting Sweden is like a natural health remedy,” says Susanne Andersson, CEO of Visit Sweden. “Our cozy fika tradition, our ‘lagom’ balanced lifestyle, and our easily accessible nature are a soothing balm for body and mind.”

By connecting evidence-based wellness practices with real-world experiences, like forest baths and cold plunges, the country offers travelers a chance to return home not only refreshed but also healthier.

For those looking for a new approach to self-care, doctors’ orders may soon mean booking a ticket to Sweden.

*Survey methodology: This survey was conducted by the YouGov analysis institute during 24 June and 3 July 2025 through online panels with +9000 18+ year-old respondents in different markets: Denmark (1003 respondents), Finland (1016), France (1023), Germany (1016), Netherlands (1025), Norway (1021), Sweden (1012), UK (1037) and USA (1005). A parallel survey was conducted in the UK with medical professionals as respondents (147).