Stress-related illness is increasing and is a common cause of sick leave in Sweden. Spending time in nature reduces stress and promotes health and well-being. Consequently, nature-based interventions (NBI) for people with stress-related illness have been developed, implemented and studied in southern Scandinavia. However, such interventions are uncommon in the Circumpolar North with a different climate which affect conditions for outdoor activities. 

The overall aim of this doctoral thesis was to explore NBIs to promote health in people with stress-related illness from the perspectives of previous research, people with stress-related illness, healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs offering NBIs with a specific focus on northern natural conditions.

The thesis includes four studies. An integrative literature review (I) identified and summarised scientific studies of NBIs for people with stress-related illness. Studies using both qualitative and quantitative designs were included. Study II explored key stakeholders’ perceptions of the value of NBIs in promoting health in people with stress-related illness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with stress-related illness experience, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs offering NBI and data were analysed through qualitative content analysis. In study III people with stress-related illness experiences of participating in an NBI program in a northern natural setting were explored. A longitudinal case study design was used, and data were collected through repeated semi-structured interviews, diary entries and self-assessment questionnaires. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse interviews and reflections from diaries and data from self-assessing questionnaires were presented descriptively. Study IV explored people with stress-related illness experiences of nature prescription. Data were collected through interviews with open-ended questions and analysed with a phenomenological-hermeneutic method.

Findings show that natural environments offer unique qualities for individualised, meaningful activities and interactions with others in a non-demanding atmosphere. In NBI people with stress-related illness find a source for recovery, joy, and well-being. Spending time in nature is perceived as calming and facilitates being in the present. NBIs improve health and strengthen self-efficacy and work ability. Time in nature provides new perspectives, supports existential reflections, and empowers people with stress-related illness to find opportunities for change to achieve balance in everyday life. NBIs can be helpful for people with stress-related illness to overcome barriers to going out in nature or to find their way back to nature. 

In conclusion, NBIs seem to be beneficial in promoting health in people with stress-related illness. Different stakeholders have similar perceptions of the value of NBIs, indicating that it could be a valuable complement to health care. NBIs in a northern natural setting seems to have similar health promoting qualities as those seen in studies of NBIs in other natural settings.