The Effect of Nature-Based Therapy May be Dose-Related: A Prospective Cohort Study of Nature-Based Therapy of Long-Term Patients Suffering from Stress-Related Mental Illness

Stress-related mental illness is increasing worldwide and leads to longterm illness. Approximately one billion people globally suffer from some mental disorder, and the increase in the number of people suffering from mental illness is swift. Most affected are women between the ages of 30 and 50, and the need for rehabilitation and return to work for these patients is great. Research indicates that being in nature can lead to stress recovery. The question is whether nature-based therapy can rehabilitate people suffering from long-term stress-related mental illness, and how much time is necessary for recovery in order to return to work

The Restorative Potential of Icelandic Nature

This study aimed to investigate if proposed restorative attributes according to attention restoration theory and supportive environment theory could be experienced and identified in Icelandic landscape and contribute to a restorative experience in nature sites in rural Iceland. A prospective mixed-method study was conducted over the period of one year. Seven different nature sites that were considered likely to have restorative qualities were selected for the evaluation i.e., three forest sites, three seashores, and one park in and in the vicinity of Ísafjörður, Iceland. Each site was evaluated regarding how the participants experienced its restorative qualities and how a stay therein affected their mental state. Nature visits were offered once a week, where the participants visited one of the seven locations for two hours. The findings show that the participants perceived and experienced nature sites as having the characteristics of a restorative environment and that staying at the nature sites positively affected their mental state. External conditions, like weather, which can affect nature visits, were rarely a hinderance. Thus, it can be concluded that numerous coastal areas, forests, and parks in Iceland, especially in rural areas, might possess restorative qualities as well. This result shows that wild and open nature in North West Iceland has the characteristics of a restorative environment and can be utilized for health promotion

Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature—A Pilot Study

In times of social and ecological crises, such as COVID-19 with lockdowns and implementing the impact of climate change, mental health degrades. Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being. This pilot study investigated the relationships between nature-based therapy, mental health, and individuals' connectedness to nature. We hypothesize that nature-based therapy has a positive impact on individual mental health and connectedness to nature. A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based therapy for young psychosomatic patients. The results demonstrated improvements in mental well-being and connectedness to nature through therapy. Additionally, depression scores decreased. Patients reported the importance of the therapist setting the space, the supportive environment, the poems that fostered the nature connection, improvement at the soul level, and overall doing something meaningful. Every patient experienced nature-based therapy as effective. To conclude, the study gives a first insight into the processes of nature-based therapy in the German population at work and the effectiveness of nature-based therapy. Further questions, e.g., season effects, longitudinal effects, and whether patients with low connectedness to nature gain more out of the intervention remain unanswered

Odor Perception and Descriptions of Rose-Scented Geranium Pelargonium graveolens 'Dr. Westerlund'-Sensory and Chemical Analyses

A recent study found that the natural scent from the rose-scented geranium Pelargonium graveolens 'Dr. Westerlund' had positive effects on stress reduction. Essential oils from many pelargonium species are known to have phytochemical properties and pharmacological activities. No study has, so far, explored and identified the chemical compounds and the sensory perception of these compounds in 'Dr. Westerlund' plants. Such knowledge would be an important contribution to an increased understanding of the effects of plants' chemical odor properties on human well-being, and link this to the expressed perceived scents. This study aimed to identify the sensory profile and suggest responsible chemical compounds of Pelargonium graveolens 'Dr. Westerlund'. The sensory and chemical analysis results revealed sensory profiles of Pelargonium graveolens 'Dr. Westerlund's and provided suggestions for the chemical compounds attributed to the sensory profiles. Further studies are recommended to investigate the correlation between volatile compounds and possible stress reduction in humans

The meaning of animal well-being for farmers and dairy farm employees

Dairy farms in Sweden have undergone a structural change. The number of family farms has decreased, while the number of large dairy farms with employees caring for the animals has increased. This changing situation has created a new farming landscape. From that perspective, it is crucial to gain insight into what factors contribute to the well-being of humans and animals on big dairy farms. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted on three farms. Farmers and employees were interviewed. The material was analysed using a qualitative approach inspired by qualitative content analysis. For the farmers and employees, animal well-being was central for various reasons and from different perspectives. Despite the differences, the impact of animal well-being was interlinked between the two groups. An increased and deeper understanding of the different perspectives and needs arising from the different roles of farmers and employees can provide new knowledge about factors important for improvinganimal well-being

The restorative potential of Icelandic nature

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This study aimed to investigate if proposed restorative attributes according to attention restoration theory and supportive environment theory could be experienced and identified in Icelandic landscape and contribute to a restorative experience in nature sites in rural Iceland. A prospective mixed-method study was conducted over the period of one year. Seven different nature sites that were considered likely to have restorative qualities were selected for the evaluation i.e., three forest sites, three seashores, and one park in and in the vicinity of Ísafjörður, Iceland. Each site was evaluated regarding how the participants experienced its restorative qualities and how a stay therein affected their mental state. Nature visits were offered once a week, where the participants visited one of the seven locations for two hours. The findings show that the participants perceived and experienced nature sites as having the characteristics of a restorative environment and that staying at the nature sites positively affected their mental state. External conditions, like weather, which can affect nature visits, were rarely a hinderance. Thus, it can be concluded that numerous coastal areas, forests, and parks in Iceland, especially in rural areas, might possess restorative qualities as well. This result shows that wild and open nature in North West Iceland has the characteristics of a restorative environment and can be utilized for health promotion.Peer reviewe

Individbaserad trygghetsskapande och språkutveckling genom odling – en fallstudie om arbetslösa utlandsföddas väg i samhället

Sverige har under senare år tagit emot flera hundra tusen assylsökande. Att integrera dessa i samhället är en stor utmaning. De behöver känna trygghet och tillhörighet i samhället genom olika integrationsaktiviteter. Samtidigt kan de bidra med kompetens och kunskap om de lyckas etablera sig på arbetsmarknaden. Etablering på arbetsmarknaden är av stor betydelse för att förebygga utanförskap och arbetslöshet samt öka trygghet och tillhörighet hos utlandsfödda personer. Dock är integrations- och etableringsprocesser kantade av hinder och barriärer som är relaterade till bland annat språkkunskaper, ålder, utbildning och kulturen. Projektet övergripande syfte var att använda odling som ett verktyg för att öka möjligheten för utlandsfödda personer att integrera i samhället och bygga upp trygghet samt språk- och kommunikationsförmåga. Odling förespråker för matproduktion och konsumtion, utveckling av sociala nätverk, utveckling och förstärkning av språk och kommunikationsförmåga samt för hälsa och välmående. Deltagare i studien rekryterades via företaget Xenofilia i Malmö och dess projekt ”Växtplats Rosengård”, som stödjer utlandsfödda som står långt ifrån arbetsmarknad att närmas sig arbetsmarknaden i genom bland annat odlingsaktiviteter. Genom Växtplats Rosengårds odlingsspår rekryterades tre grupper med åtta deltagare i varje grupp vid tre olika tillfällen under 2018. Deltagarna i varje grupp deltog i intervjuer kring trygghet och platsanknytning, språkundervisning samt i studiebesök till olika odlingsföretag och till SLU Alnarp. Projektet omfattade också undersökningar kring utveckling av produktionsunderlag av nya grödor som ingår i utlandsföddas matkultur. Studier i projektet identifierade plats och kontext, scenariobaserat lärande, läran om odling av svenska grödor och egna grödor från hemlandet som trygghetsskapande faktorer och grundläggande förutsättningar för att kunna känna trygghet, engagemang i arbetet, öppenhet att ta in nya saker och för att skapa nya kontakter. Att känna tillhörighet till en plats med hjälp av platsanknytning och kontext såsom odling skapar trygghet genom upplevelse av tillhörighet och att lyckas och utvecklas. Scenariobaserad svenskundervisning kan hjälpa utlandsfödda att utveckla sin kommunikativa förmåga genom att delta i klassrumsinteraktioner baserade på scenarier, dialoger, och interaktiv pedagogik. Studiebesöken vidgar utöver kunskapen om odling och odlingsteknik, också den geografiska horisonten i Sverige och känslan att komma utanför hemkommunen. Tillgång till grönsaker bekanta från hemlandets matkultur på den svenska marknaden gynnar också trygghet hos utlandsfödda svenskar, grossister och konsumenter

Therapeutic nature activities: a step toward the labor market for traumatized refugees

Background: Globally, the number of refugees is growing. For many refugees, entering the labor market in their new country of residence is challenging. Some remain forever dependent on welfare services, and this not only weakens their chances of integration, but also harms their health and well-being. Methods: This qualitative single case study focused on a group of war-stricken refugees in Denmark. The study investigated the impact of an eight-month horticultural vocational program aimed at improving their ability to complete an education program or to work. A total of 29 interviews were conducted and analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method. Results: The natural environment in the eco-village evoked a feeling of safety as well as positive memories in the participants, in contrast to the traumatic memories they had of their flight. Horticultural activities and the positive and respectful attitude from staff initiated a recovery process. New skills were achieved at an individual pace, and feelings of isolation decreased. These findings can be implicated in future interventions

Integration genom odling

Under åren 20015 – 2018 sökte ca 163 000 individer asyl i Sverige. Att integrera dessa i samhället är en stor utmaning. De behöver känna trygghet och tillhörighet i samhället genom olika integrationsaktiviteter. Samtidigt kan de bidra med kompetens och kunskap om de lyckas etablera sig på arbetsmarknaden. I ett projekt finansierat av Familjen Kamprads stiftelse har möjligheterna att använda odling som ett integrationsverktyg studerats. Slutsatsen är att odlingsprojekt kan användas för att skapa trygghet, bygga sociala nätverk samt utveckla färdigheter i svenska språket

Defining nature-based integration –perspectives and practices from the Nordic countries

Nature-based solutions are an efficient way to address simultaneously environmental, economic and social problems especially in urban areas. In the Nordic countries, there has been increasing interest in nature-based integration and a number of practical projects and initiatives have been launched to promote the benefits of nature in integration. This report presents the lessons learned and experiences gathered in these practices. The report analyses the similarities and differences of Nordic nature-based integration practices in terms of aims, environments, target groups and pros and cons. Based on the analysis a working definition of nature-based integration is presented. This definition summarises how nature can be used to support integration of immigrants through building of identity, providing positive experiences and strengthening institutional capabilities. The report concludes in a checklist of key components to be considered when planning, conducting or evaluating nature-based integration practices. In the second part of the report, 16 descriptions from practitioners in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway are described in more detail to illustrate the various ways nature is used for integration across these countries