Stressed out, running on fumes, or just one meeting that could have been an email away from a meltdown? You’re in good company.
Turns out, the cure might just be a little Sweden in your system.
Visit Sweden recently rolled out
“The Swedish Prescription,” a tourism campaign disguised as a doctor’s orders. The pitch? Sweden’s forests, fika breaks, and knack for balance aren’t just easy on the eyes—
they’re clinically proven to dial down stress, help you sleep, and give your brain a much-needed reboot.
The best part? Even if you’re not about to book a one-way ticket to Stockholm, you can sneak a little Sweden into your daily routine. Consider it your new stress-busting toolkit, now with extra Scandinavian flair.
Forests: Sweden’s ultimate pharmacy
Fun fact: nearly 70% of Sweden is blanketed in forest. Science says wandering among the pines actually lowers your stress hormones and gives your brain a chance to hit reset.
What you can do: Find the nearest patch of trees, whether it’s a sprawling forest or a scrappy city greenbelt. Try a slow, phone-free wander and let the woods work their quiet magic.
Silence & stillness
Swedes don’t just tolerate silence—they practically celebrate it. Those quiet moments help your nervous system finally step off the hamster wheel.
What you can do: Carve out a few minutes of pure quiet every day. No screens, no playlists, no background chatter. If it feels awkward, you’re probably overdue.
Sauna & cold dips
From the snowy north to the islands around Stockholm, Swedes have mastered the art of sauna followed by a bracing cold dip. It’s not just a thrill—it actually chills out your stress and gets your blood moving.
What you can do: Track down a sauna at a local gym or spa, then follow it up with a cold shower or a quick plunge in the nearest pool. Bonus points if you dare a dip in a chilly lake.
Fika: The power of the pause
Fika isn’t just a coffee break—it’s a ritual. It’s about pressing pause, catching up with a friend, or just giving yourself permission to step off the hamster wheel for a few minutes.
What you can do: Set aside ten minutes for a real break. Coffee is optional, but being present is not. Phone a friend or just savor the quiet.
Culture on prescription
Visit Sweden’s campaign reminds us that art and culture can be as good for you as a walk in the woods. A museum, a gallery, or even a splash of public art can lift your mood and calm your nerves.
What you can do: Make time for a cultural field trip every week or so. Hit up a museum, catch a concert, or hunt down some public art. Extra credit if you find something Swedish—think film festival, Nordic tunes, or a bakery with cardamom buns.
Lagom: Just enough
Lagom might be Sweden’s most famous word. It means not too much, not too little—just right. It’s a whole philosophy of balance that keeps stress in check.
What you can do: Quit putting “the hustle” on a pedestal. Ask yourself if your pace feels lagom. Cut back where you can, and treat rest like it’s just as important as work.
Sleep, Swedish-style
Sweden’s cool nights, long winters, and hush-hush evenings are basically a sleep spa. Your American city might not come with blackout and silence, but you can fake it.
What you can do: Go for blackout curtains, keep your room cool, and banish screens before bed. If you want to go full Swede, treat yourself to some crisp white linens.
Why Sweden works
You don’t have to pack up and move to Sweden—though no judgment if you’re tempted. The real takeaway is that the Swedish way of life is a cheat sheet for living better anywhere: more nature, more balance, more simplicity, and a lot more rest on purpose.
So next time stress starts stacking up, ask yourself: What would Sweden do? Maybe a walk in the woods, a sauna session, a fika break, or just a few minutes of quiet. Odds are, it’s exactly what the doctor ordered.
👉 Curious about The Swedish Prescription? You can read more about the initiative from Visit Sweden
here.