72 Stress-Free Hours In A Swedish Cabin
A many of us will know, a factor that separates countries around the world is the criterion of Quality of Life. Non-subjective, the factor takes into consideration many statistics and ideologies that attempt to separate the countries of high wellbeing and aspiration from those less so. Without dwelling on those countries doing poorly - and of course, many are in their position for ill-reason that we shan't explore - Sweden is one doing particularly well. What is their secret? As part of a new case-study to investigate the effects on health when living amongst Swedish nature, a new project has been set up to give five participants 72 hours in such a beautiful landscape.
Named 'The 72 Hour Cabin', tor three days, these highly stressed people will experience the Swedish 'close to nature' lifestyle, whilst their well-being is measured by leading researchers. During the study, the participants will stay in custom-built cabins made of glass to be as close to nature as possible. Attempting to explore the effects of the unique relationship Swedes have with nature, the case-study has been developed with two leading researchers, Walter Osika and Cecilia Stenfors, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, one of the world's foremost medical universities. Supported by Sweden's tourist board, the cabins are located on Henriksholm Island which is two hours north of Gothenburg city. An area of undulating hillsides and deep forests, and home to grazing cattle and little else, can the five participants destress? The participants are:
- Chris Leadbeater - a journalist from London: "I live in London, with all the issues that come from being in a big city €“ too much traffic, lots of people, transport delays etc"
- Steffi Tauscher - a police officer from Munich: "Not knowing what will happen during the shift is a stressful part of the job. If there is an operation, I have to give a hundred percent from one second to the next."
- Baqer Keshwani - an event co-ordinator from New York: "As an event co-ordinator, my personal time and working hours are always intertwined. It is my responsibility to be on standby 24/7, but sometimes I am so overwhelmed by work that I don€™t have enough time for myself."
- Marilyne Didier - a taxi driver from Paris: "I work close to the Gare du Nord in Paris where there are a lot of people and traffic jams. Every day I meet drivers who are antisocial and unpredictable on the road, people who don't really know how to drive properly."
- Ben Fogle - a broadcaster from London: "As a broadcaster, my life is in perpetual motion. I'm always moving. On a train, plane, bus, car, boat, taxi, bike, or on my feet. I am hoping the 72 hour cabin will help me destress and unwind from my frenetic travels."