Let’s be honest: my most extensive hospital stay was after the births of my three children. Each time, I found myself crammed onto a narrow bench next to a window—if you could even call it that—while my wife recovered. The view? A brick wall or a freeway, with nary a tree in sight. After my wife’s first cesarean, she humorously remarked, “Wow… a brick wall. Isn’t that beautiful?”
During my third child’s birth, I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, only to find myself walking alongside a busy road. Hospitals are essential for saving lives, but comfort and connection to nature aren’t typically their strong suits—at least in the United States.
Every time I’ve spent hours in a hospital, I’ve noticed their cleanliness, but the harsh artificial lighting and sterile, white environments make me want to escape as soon as possible. However, after learning about a groundbreaking concept in Norway, I wish we had experienced a different kind of hospital for our children.
As detailed in a recent Treehugger article, Norway’s two largest hospitals, with support from the Friluftssykehuset Foundation, have introduced Outdoor Care Retreats known as friluftssykehuset. The term combines the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv—the importance of nature—with sykehus, meaning hospital.
Research shows that time spent outdoors can enhance mood and optimism, significantly aiding recovery, making an outdoor hospital concept seem quite sensible. Jennifer Lee, writing for Apolitical, explains that Oslo University Hospital is situated near nature, which prompted child psychologist Laura Jensen to frequently take patients on nature outings. This initiative eventually evolved into the dedicated outdoor space now known as Friluftssykehuset.
This innovative retreat has a cabin-like aesthetic, evoking memories of tree houses. Nestled in a wooded area away from the main hospital, it allows patients to feel as though they’re recovering in a cozy log cabin rather than a clinical environment. The facility is wheelchair accessible, equipped with skylights, fire pits, and windows that open to let in the fresh air.
During the day, the outdoor retreat is primarily filled with recovering children. If they’re feeling up for it, they can fish, gather around a campfire, enjoy canoe rides, or simply bask in nature. In the evenings, it opens its doors to adult patients as well. Laura Jensen remarks, “Nature brings spontaneous joy and helps patients relax. Being outdoors provides them with a renewed calm that they can carry back into the hospital, motivating them through treatment and improving disease management.”
This approach aligns with Scandinavian culture, which prioritizes the mind-body-nature connection, especially in child-rearing. Outdoor time is paramount, regardless of the weather. In fact, it’s not uncommon in Norway to see babies napping outside in their prams, bundled up against the elements. A popular saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” highlighting the importance of outdoor play for children.
In contrast, schools in the U.S. often keep students indoors when the weather is inclement to avoid illness. In Scandinavian countries, children are expected to have an extra set of all-weather clothes at school, ensuring they can enjoy the great outdoors regardless of the conditions.
So when will we see such an innovative concept in the U.S.? When can we look forward to a friluftssykehuset maternity ward? According to Treehugger, the Friluftssykehuset Foundation plans to expand these Outdoor Care Retreats to more locations in Norway and beyond. Unfortunately, there are no current plans for implementation in the United States. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that this idea will gain traction, as I would love to recover next to a campfire if I ever find myself in need of hospital care.
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In summary, Norway’s outdoor hospitals redefine recovery by incorporating nature into patient care, promoting both mental well-being and physical healing. If these innovative practices catch on, they could transform healthcare environments everywhere.