Staying in remotes cabins in Sweden can decrease stress by 70 per cent: report

People try all kinds of cures to combat the stresses of modern life but few are as picturesque as a stay in a glass cabin in the Swedish wilderness. 

Fewer still are likely to be as effective as these cabins, which can reduce stress symptoms by up to 70 per cent, according to a new report. 

Five people with stressful professions – including a taxi driver, police officer and broadcaster – were sent into a forest in a recent experiment which partnered with Visit Sweden. 

The people spent 72 hours in the cabins and were closely monitored by scientists from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.

They were involved in outdoor activities including fishing, swimming, and cooking off the grid, during the three days.

At the end of their stay they all showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure, a drop in heart rate, and reported an increase in wellbeing and even creativity. 

“I am positively surprised by the results and it shows that a Swedish ‘close to nature’ lifestyle can improve people’s wellbeing, at least in a short run,” said Walter Osika, a researcher in stress and associate professor at Karolinska Institutet.

“On a 10-point stress scale, the participants’ stress levels decreased from 5.3 to 1.7 points, corresponding to an almost 70 per cent decrease of stress.”

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The cabins on Henriksholm Island were designed by architect Jeanna Berger and have panoramic views of the water and forest. They’re furnished with just a bed and lamp.

The cabins are available to rent, with prices starting from $1067 for a three-night stay. The price includes access to a sauna, fishing equipment and row boats

Writing about his experience in the British Telegraph, participant Chris Leadbeater said that: “Beyond the figures, I can tell that, though I am not quite a man transformed, I have dropped a few gears, tethered my pace, vanquished my velocity.”