Sweden becomes the first country to be available on prescription

"A research-backed destination prescription concept has been curated by Visit Sweden, based on three intervention themes: nature, culture and social prescribing, in a bid to get more people to enjoy the best of Sweden. The health benefits of each activity presented have been reviewed by Yvonne Forsell, who is a senior professor at a world-leading medical university, Karolinska Institutet, in Sweden."

"Patients around the world can now download a medical referral from Visit Sweden to support an application to their GP, and benefit from a restorative experience in Sweden that could improve their health. For instance, patients can be sent to pick cloudberries in the forest to lower blood pressure or head to a sauna in Swedish Lapland to improve sleep."

"However, be aware that side effects may include a heightened desire for cinnamon buns and a shopping splurge in IKEA. Plus, it's unlikely many GPs in the UK will take your request seriously - and any expenses built up from the prescription are to be paid by the patient themselves. There is, however, a list of doctors who have been identified and ready to issue a 'Swedish Prescription' when appropriate."

Visit Sweden offers a research-backed destination prescription curated around three intervention themes: nature, culture and social prescribing. A senior professor at Karolinska Institutet reviewed the health benefits of the activities. Patients can download a medical referral from Visit Sweden to support an application to their GP and pursue restorative experiences in Sweden. Examples include picking cloudberries in forests to lower blood pressure and using saunas in Swedish Lapland to improve sleep. Side effects may include increased cravings for cinnamon buns and shopping at IKEA. Many UK GPs may not accept requests and patients must cover prescription expenses. A list of doctors ready to issue a 'Swedish Prescription' exists and a global YouGov survey found 67% of UK medical professionals would recommend Sweden to improve health.

Read at Mail Online