Nature-based stress management course for individuals at risk of adverse health effects from work-related stress-effects on stress related symptoms, workability and sick leave - PubMed (original) (raw)

Observational Study

Eva Sahlin et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Sick leave due to stress-related disorders is increasing in Sweden after a period of decrease. To avoid that individuals living under heavy stress develop more severe stress-related disorders, different stress management interventions are offered. Self-assessed health, burnout-scores and well-being are commonly used as outcome measures. Few studies have used sick-leave to compare effects of stress interventions. A new approach is to use nature and garden in a multimodal stress management context. This study aimed to explore effects on burnout, work ability, stress-related health symptoms, and sick leave for 33 women participating in a 12-weeks nature based stress management course and to investigate how the nature/garden activities were experienced. A mixed method approach was used. Measures were taken at course start and three follow-ups. Results showed decreased burnout-scores and long-term sick leaves, and increased work ability; furthermore less stress-related symptoms were reported. Tools and strategies to better handle stress were achieved and were widely at use at all follow-ups. The garden and nature content played an important role for stress relief and for tools and strategies to develop. The results from this study points to beneficial effects of using garden activities and natural environments in a stress management intervention.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Garden activity (Photo Eva-Lena Larsson).

Figure 2

Figure 2

Education about nature during a guided nature walk (Photo Gröna Rehab).

Figure 3

Figure 3

The house with the nature reserve in the background (Photo Eva Lena Larsson).

Figure 4

Figure 4

The Venue (Gröna Rehab, Gothenburg Botanical Garden).

Figure 5

Figure 5

Timeline illustrating the four measuring points: start of course as the baseline measure, the first follow-up at end of course 12 weeks after the course start, and follow-up 6 months and 12 months after end of course and timeframe variation for the interviews.

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