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Photographer: Stefan Thulin
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In spring 2008 6 groups of 8 participants each get the opportunity of rehabilitation in the forests surrounding Munktorp and Tärna.
In cooperation with the Swedish Social Insurance Administration and the Swedish Labour Market Administration, the Swedish forest agency, Västmanland district, is running a project called Green Rehab. The project runs from mid February until end of July 2008.
The project was started in smaller scale during the fall of 2006 with three groups in Tärna and Åsselsta, and generated a lot of attention in the local press. Further reading »
About Green Rehab
The project addresses people who are in need of help to return to work after longer periods of sick leave.
The objective: Besides allowing people to return to work, the Green Rehab project also strives to improve mental and physical health of participants.
The Rehab programme includes working group sessions and a range of forest related activities and projects which are tailored to the individual needs.
A basic principle is for the work is to increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and to provide the strength to meet changes and new situations.
Examples of activities
- Experience nature: Hiking, nature conservation, wild life management and recreation
- Learn GPS, map reading and compass
Field trips- Forest related activities such as silviculture, buidling hiking trails etc.
- Motivation
- Mental training
- Health and diet
- Stress & stress management
- Lectures on personal development
Facts
American research shows that the body unconsciously relaxes when being surrounded by nature.
Studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, show that recreation in parks, gardens and nature has a positive effect on human health.
Photograper Josefina Sköld, if not indicated otherwise