Let me share a personal experience: the most time I’ve spent in a hospital was after the births of my children. I have three little ones, and each time, I spent two to three nights in a cramped space next to the window, which was barely wider than a French fry, while my wife recovered.
Each room had a window, but they rarely opened and often faced another bland building or the busy highway. No trees or nature in sight. After my wife’s first cesarean, when she finally got out of bed, we went to the window together. Her comment? “Look… a brick wall. Isn’t that just lovely?”
During the birth of our third child, I stepped outside to find some fresh air, only to find myself walking alongside a busy street. While hospitals are crucial for saving lives, they often lack comfort and connection to nature—at least in the U.S.
Every time I’ve spent any length of time in a hospital, I’ve noticed how pristine they are, yet I felt an overwhelming desire to escape; the harsh bright lights and sterile white walls create an atmosphere that’s anything but inviting.
However, after learning about a groundbreaking concept in Norway, I can’t help but wish we had our children there. According to a recent piece on Treehugger, Norway’s two largest hospitals, through the assistance of the Friluftssykehuset Foundation, have developed Outdoor Care Retreats called friluftssykehuset. The term combines the Norwegian notion of friluftsliv, which emphasizes the significance of spending time in nature, with the word for hospital, sykehus.
Research shows that spending time outdoors has proven medical benefits, enhancing mood and optimism, which can significantly aid recovery. It makes perfect sense to have an outdoor hospital, right? As Jennifer Guay noted for Apolitical, Oslo University Hospital, unlike many urban facilities, is close to nature. Child psychologist Emma Jensen often took her patients into the woods, leading to the idea of creating a designated outdoor area for patients to recover.
The Birth of Friluftssykehuset
And thus, friluftssykehuset came to life! These 375-square-foot wooden spaces resemble treehouses nestled among the trees, allowing patients to escape the stark confines of a traditional hospital. With wheelchair-accessible ramps, skylights, fire pits, and windows that open to let in fresh air, it truly feels like a retreat.
During the day, the space is filled with recovering children who can fish, gather around a campfire, canoe, or simply enjoy the beautiful outdoors. In the evenings, it opens up to adult patients.
Emma Jensen, who works in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department at Oslo Hospital, remarked, “Nature brings spontaneous joy and helps patients unwind. Being outdoors fosters a renewed sense of calm that they can take back with them into the hospital. The Outdoor Care Retreat serves as a motivation for patients to persevere through treatment and enhances their overall health management.”
A Cultural Connection to Nature
Absolutely! The friluftssykehuset concept aligns with the broader Scandinavian culture, which strongly advocates for the mind-body-nature connection, especially for children. In Norway, it’s common to see babies napping outside in their prams, bundled up against the elements. There’s a popular saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” Parents ensure their kids play outside every day, no matter the weather.
This connection to nature is a cherished cultural value, and coming home dirty is a sign of a day well spent exploring. In contrast, my experience in Oregon is that when it rains, schools hold indoor recess to prevent kids from getting sick. However, children in Swedish or Danish schools are expected to have an extra set of all-weather clothes at school, enabling them to play outside regardless of conditions. Outdoor time is recognized as vital for education and overall health, irrespective of the temperature.
The Future of Outdoor Hospitals
So, when will we see something like this in the U.S.? When can we have a friluftssykehuset maternity ward? As Treehugger reports, the Friluftssykehuset Foundation plans to develop more Outdoor Care Retreats near hospitals in Norway and beyond. Unfortunately, there are no current plans for the United States. But I remain hopeful that this concept will catch on, because if I ever need to spend time in a hospital, I’d prefer to do it next to a campfire.
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In summary, Norway’s innovative outdoor hospitals provide a refreshing approach to healing, integrating nature with patient care, and fostering a connection that promotes recovery.