Would you like to boost your wellbeing? Ask your doctor if he can prescribe a visit to this European country
It appears that Sweden is the European country to go if you’re after a wellbeing treatment.


We’ve all probably had the unwelcome experience of leaving the waiting room at our local health centre with a small paper bag full of antibiotics, but have you ever left there with a plane ticket to Sweden?
A new, very cheeky tourism initiative from Visit Sweden identifies scientifically-backed lifestyle, cultural, and nature-based experiences in the country that cane help improve both physical and mental health. The ad explains that they have identified “activities proven by science to help you feel better” and that you should “ask your doctor to prescribe Sweden.”
Sweden, it turns out, has many qualities that align with a positive healthy lifestyle: vast forests, clean air, tens of thousands of lakes, and the principle of friluftsliv (open-air living).
The new program takes research from Karolinska Institutet and other health authorities to recommend things like forest bathing, cold-water plunges, sauna sessions, outdoor sleeping under starry skies, and even the simple ritual of fika (a relaxed coffee break) as formally recognised wellbeing tools.
The tourist board teamed up with a number of doctors to identify cultural experiences in Sweden’s “accessible and welcoming” green areas that can being about positive health changes. They selected foraging, sky watching, sleeping, cycling, and forest bathing - all ‘musts’ when visiting the Scandinavian nation.
A report from the BBC cites Francisca Leonardo, CEO of the Stockholm-based, women-led experiential travel company, XperienceSthlm, who says: “We definitely see many travellers seeking these types of activities in Sweden. Over the years, Sweden has done an effective job of advertising its immense nature and outdoors as a selling point for travellers looking for a ‘green break’ away from their daily lives in concrete-made cities.”
Falun, Sweden ✨ pic.twitter.com/ront5DTitd
— Earth (@earthcurated) October 3, 2025
Related stories
The tourist website provides a link to ‘Get Your Swedish Prescription’, which leads to a PDF. “Bring this document to your doctor and ask to have a visit to Sweden prescribed. Use it to start a conversation about how Sweden – and the way of life it represents – could support your wellbeing," it says. It’s worth a try.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment