The Swedes are on to something when it comes to wellness. With a near-perfect Active Vitality Index score (which is based on specific national health profiles, average life expectancy, and overall wellness metrics), Sweden is a model of what can happen when cities, policies, and culture work together to keep citizens active and healthy.
Nature and Active Living in Sweden
Sweden has both ~10.6 million people and the most islands of any country on Earth – more than 267,000, in fact. It probably comes as no surprise, then, that Sweden boasts one of the highest boat-to-people ratios in the world. This devotion to time spent on the water is indicative of a broader commitment to embracing nature through movement. Urban spaces in Sweden’s cities are designed to make walking, biking, and rolling convenient and safe. Green spaces are plentiful, as are public fitness trails and outdoor, free gyms. In addition, the existence of a safe, efficient, and far-reaching public transportation system helps Swedes add movement to their daily routines without dedicated gym time.
Family and Aging Policies That Support Wellness
In Sweden, parents are allowed up to 480 days of paid leave per child, which can be split between caregivers and even transferred to grandparents and/or family friends. On the other end of the spectrum, Swedes are committed to “aging in place” whenever possible; in other words, not sending elderly family members to a care home unless necessary. They do this by offering municipally funded home health services and setting maximum monthly fees for such services in order to keep costs manageable.
The Swedish Nordic Diet
The Swedish diet is rooted in traditional Nordic food principles. These include the regular consumption of high-quality seasonal produce, fatty fish, whole grains, and fermented dairy, and a general minimization or avoidance of added sugar and highly processed foods. The Swedes rely heavily on potatoes, berries, and whole grains like rye and pumpernickel. Swedish meatballs are widely considered the national dish and are often served with lingonberry jam and/or pickled cucumbers.
The Swedish Prescription
If further proof of Sweden’s status as a wellness powerhouse was needed, it became the first country in the world to be “prescribed” by doctors. Developed by Visit Sweden in collaboration with medical experts, the “Swedish Prescription” campaign allows doctors from around the world to prescribe a Swedish visit for health reasons. Activities at the forefront of these visits are nature immersion, cold-water therapy, enjoyment of summertime’s endless daylight, and the Swedish commitment to slowing down and disconnecting.
By Kate Marden
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