Holistic Health at Sövröds Hage

Anders is a landscape architect at SLU and Henriett is a theologian, nature therapist and nurse. Sövröds Hage is one of eight providers of Nature-Assisted Rehabilitation (NUR) contracted by Region Skåne.
- We had a garden that was very well suited to nature-assisted rehabilitation. I was familiar with the programme because I work at SLU, where people who have tried this method are based, and I thought it was an exciting way to use our farm," says Anders.

Focus on the whole person

Participants who come to NUR have often been on sick leave for a long time. Each group consists of five people and NUR runs for eight weeks all year round. 
Anders and Henriett describe how the body signals how the mind is doing and that we can influence the body's well-being. By feeling good, we can heal. They describe how participants have often forgotten to listen to what they themselves need.
There are no performance requirements during the four hours that NUR runs three days a week during the eight NUR weeks. Much of the programme is based on resting and allowing oneself not to perform. When calmness sets in, thoughts about what the participant needs can take centre stage. For those who wish, there are a number of activities to choose from.
- Nature and tranquillity allow you to listen inwardly and rediscover the strong core you once had. Those who come immediately after being signed off sick achieve the best results, says Henriett.
She also points out that at NUR, they avoid talking about illness and instead focus on the present.

Methods for finding peace

NUR at Sövröds Hage has four additional employees. The farm has had over 100 participants since its inception in 2022. Many take with them some of the habits they have learned during NUR. 
Some buy a hammock for their own home, others have learned to appreciate being in nature and make it a new habit. Virtually all of them take away some form of calming routine. It is also not uncommon for participants to make other changes, such as changing jobs, reducing their working hours or finding new directions in life.
- They learn that there are always ways to find peace in stressful situations and to listen to their own bodies and needs. Many also manage to set a more conscious, thoughtful and sustainable direction in their lives, says Anders.
He points out the socio-economic benefits of NUR compared to the costs of long-term sick leave and would like to see NUR extended to younger groups as well.
- This system captures people of working age. Unfortunately, the model is not designed for younger people. But we hope that will come. Because what we do is extremely profitable for society, concludes Henriett.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)