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Seeking and finding well-being in nature

The health forest was established near Päijät-Häme Central Hospital in Lahti in the fall of 2023. The health forest has been positively received and is actively used to support psychiatric care, for example.

The health forest helps patients manage anxiety and provides a comforting environment. Additionally, it gives healthcare workers stress relief and a rejuvenating setting for professional supervision.

In the spring of 2025, professionals in the area will receive training on the holistic concept of planetary health, emphasizing the connection between humans and nature. This training will be led by neurologist Hanna Haveri, the world’s first planetary health doctor.

The Lahti region also runs the “Nature Step to Health” program, which integrates health and environmental goals. This program has garnered national and international interest and aims to promote public health while addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

Many innovative approaches are ongoing in the Lahti region to combine nature and well-being, making it a pioneer in this field. The health forest and related programs are examples of how nature can be leveraged to improve both mental and physical health.

This summary is based on an article written in Finnish by Terhi Kangas.