There is a golden hour between life and death. That hour could bring valuable realizations in a person’s life. In the last few decades, hospice and palliative care went through evolutions to make a better sense of death without treating death neglecting the human experience, which plays a major factor in overall health and well-being. A palliative approach focuses on life than focusing on death, it facilitates the optimization of life for patients livingwith terminal diseases, allowing them not to feel left behind or forgotten. As the golden hour of life arrives and seeks palliative care which is total care ensuring physiological, psychological, social, and spiritual care, we can ponder over something supporting emotions from the beginning of time. Buried deep within our collective unconscious lies ancient memories of the eternal cycle of light and dark that created our archetypical patterns of thinking and feeling. With cultural beliefs and practices affecting these emotions about the transition, there should be a pattern in which daylight evokes our feelings and thoughts. This thesis is a journey to discover the association of the daylight cycle with the activities that can evoke a sense of total care. Through the study mapping state of mind with the daylight change in 35 people in Bangladesh and preference study with 8 patients in a palliative care, the paper comes to draw attention that daylight change and views can be associated with the cycle of emotion and can give the feeling of a good life. As important as it is to glorify the experience of finding comfort, so is the art of letting go, feeling good about life, and being near a good ending. A painless ending is not only a state of body, it is also a state of mind. This thesis is an attempt to discover the first steps toward it.

Denna studie undersöker hur ’känsla av plats’, betraktat som menings- och anknytningsskapande till plats, påverkar individuellt och allmänt mentalt välbefinnande. Genom appliceringen av förkroppsligad autoetnografi syftar den till att skildra ett personligt narrativ om egna upplevelser från att gå på gatorna i Stockholms innerstad. Forskningsfrågan är: V ad kan ett autoetnografiskt och förkroppsligat tillvägagångssätt bidra till framväxande teorier och metoder som berör sambandet mellan känsla av plats och mentalt välbefinnande? Från det explorativa tillvägagångssättet presenteras några påståenden framåt slutet baserat på resultaten. För det första är det viktigt för utövare, teoretiker och medborgare att utforska platsbetydelser som en del av och i platsen, för att utveckla förståelse och ifrågasätta sociokulturella konstruktioner av att veta och leva. För det andra är det ett etiskt imperativ att vara uppmärksam på affekter och känslor i relation till plats, där ett ökat intresse från de som jobbar med offentliga miljöer behövs. För det tredje består meningsfulla platser av invecklade nätverk av jaget, andra och miljöer, vilket belyser hur miljön sällan har företräde i sig själv. Slutligen visar det autoetnografiska och förkroppsligade tillvägagångssättet på potential för förändring bortom fantasin, där känslighet kan öppna länge stängda dörrar och välkomna något nytt. Resultaten och reflektionerna antyder gemensamt att den inneboende komplexiteten i förhållandet måste bemötas med flexibilitet och öppenhet, snarare än att reduceras och separeras i fraktioner. / This study explores how sense of place, viewed as the attribution of meaning and emotional attachment to place, influences individual and public mental wellbeing. It is performed through a practice of embodied autoethnography, which seeks to portray a vulnerable narrative of the researcher herself in relation to walking the streets of inner-city Stockholm. The research question is: What can an autoethnographic and embodied approach contribute to emerging theories and practices concerned with the relationship between sense of place and mental wellbeing? From the explorative approach applied, some tentative prompts and claims are made towards the finishing chapters. First, it is vital for practitioners, theorists, and citizens to explore place meanings first-hand, to further understand and question socio-cultural constructions of knowing and living. Second, it is an ethical imperative to pay attention to affects, feelings, and emotions in place, in which heightened acknowledgement is needed for all concerned with ordering public spheres. Third, meanings of place consist of intricate networks of self, others, and environments, highlighting how the environment rarely takes precedence in or for itself. Finally, the autoethnographic and embodied approach to study recognizes the potential for change beyond imagination, in which vulnerability can open long-shut doors and welcome the becoming of something new. The findings and reflections jointly suggest the complexities must be met plurally rather than reduced and separated into fractions.

Socialt medieanvändande är en vana för många människor. Åtskilliga studier har konstaterat att socialt medieanvändande både kan öka och minska känslan av gemenskap.  Känsla av sammanhang (KASAM) är ett centralt begrepp i det salutogena perspektivet och en skyddsfaktor mot ohälsa. Studien undersökte relationen mellan KASAM och socialt medieanvändande med ett urval om 129 personer. För att besvara frågeställningarna konstruerades en enkät bestående av fyra skalor nämligen KASAM, Attention Control Scale, Social Media Fatigue Scale och Hälsosamma Internetbeteenden. Analysmetoderna var korrelationsanalyser och regressionsanalyser. Analyserna visade att KASAM har betydelse för uppmärksamhet och social medietrötthet. Kön, ålder och KASAM har betydelse för hälsosamma internetbeteenden. KASAM har ett positivt samband med uppmärksamhet och hälsosamma internetbeteenden och ett negativt samband med social medietrötthet. Samband noterades mellan social medietrötthet och uppmärksamhet. Slutsatsen var att en stark KASAM skyddar mot ohälsa vid socialt medieanvändande. Den egenkonstruerade skalan Hälsosamma Internetbeteenden genererade signifikanta, men inte reliabla resultat.

With the expanded awareness on the climate emergency and the fear mongering by the media, the number of people suffering from eco-anxiety is radically increasing. People struggle to cope. The aim of this project is to explore game development in the field of climate emotions to introduce healthy coping mechanisms to activists. For this I established collaborations with eco-emotions researcher Panu Pihkala, climate activists and activist groups. The project resulted in a card game called Hope to Cope. In the process of developing the card game I did exploration such as workshops, interviews, participation in activist initiatives, personal exploration and more.

Inledning och Bakgrund: Stress är ett globalt problem och inkluderar den förändring som orsakar fysisk, emotionell eller psykisk påfrestning. Välbefinnande förknippas med att individen förstår sin potential och kan handskas med stressorer genom att skapa förutsättningar som leder till ett tillstånd av balans. Aktivitet definieras som ett grundläggande behov för individens överlevnad, hälsa och välbefinnande och den arbetsterapeutiska aspekten är viktigt för möjligheten att utföra meningsfulla aktiviteter. Syfte: Att kartlägga hur litteratur beskriver arbetsterapeutiska interventioner för att främja välbefinnande för vuxna individer med stress. Metod: En scoping review med kvalitativ metod och induktiv tematisk analys användes. Resultat: I studien inkluderades fjorton litteraturkällor och presenterades under tre teman: Naturen som väg till förändring, Kunskap för nytt inre tillstånd, och Kreativitet skapar fokusskifte. Resultatet beskriver följande nio interventioner: trädgårdsterapi, ReDOTM, mindfulnessprogram, välbefinnandeprogram, skapande av handlingsplan, sällskapsdans, fotografering av välbefinnande, hundterapi, och Zentangle. Interventionerna bidrog alla till förbättrat välbefinnande med olika tillvägagångssätt för individer med stress. Slutsats: Studien visar att det finns flera interventioner för målgruppen men att fortsatt forskning inom ämnet skulle vara gynnsamt för både vårdtagare och arbetsterapeuter. / Introduction: Stress is a global issue and the term includes all changes that cause physical, emotional and psychological strain. Wellbeing is associated with the individual understanding its potential and can handle stressors by creating prerequisites that lead to a state of balance. Activity is viewed as a fundamental need for the individual's survival, health and wellbeing, where the occupational therapeutic aspect is important to enable meaningful activities.Aim: To map how the literature describes occupational therapy interventions to promote well-being for adult individuals with stress.Method: A scoping review with a qualitative method and a thematic analysis was used. Results: Fourteen literature sources were included and were presented under three themes: Nature's way to change, Knowledge for a new inner state, and Creativity creates focus shift. The results describe the following interventions: horticultural therapy, ReDOTM, mindfulness program, wellbeing program, creation of action planning, ballroom dancing, photographing wellbeing, Canine-assisted therapy, and Zentangle. All interventions contributed to an improved wellbeing but using different approaches.Conclusions: This study shows that there are several occupational therapy interventions for the target group but continued research within the area would be beneficial for both patients and occupational therapists.

Research question: Is adopting flextime, remote work, and four-day workweeks advantageous to employees and organizations?  Purpose: Advances in technology and the changing nature of work have led to organizations adopting remote work, flextime, and a four-day workweek. The aim is to comprehend how these could affect employees and organizations, then advise organizations on whether to implement them. Employee productivity, satisfaction and well-being are assessed, as well as potential benefits and challenges. The result demonstrates an understanding of advantages, disadvantages, personal interests and critiques, followed by recommendations on facing emerging challenges and suggestions for further research.  Method: The research development is of an inductive nature. A mixed-method technique is used, with 7 respondents contributing to the qualitative research and 120 participants to the quantitative. Most respondents are dispersed around Sweden, but a few from foreign nations are also included to get a global viewpoint. The results are evaluated and contrasted with theoretical data from prior research.  Conclusion: The concepts have proven to be of great interest to employees, with a minority being against some. Many employees feel burned out and unsatisfied with a traditional 5-day workweek, and thus support a 4-day one that would allow more quality time for themselves and to socialize. A vast majority are interested in companies that grant the flexibility to work remotely and schedule their own hours, over those that do not. Trials of the concepts have resulted in increased productivity, and efficiency, better mental and physical health, higher job satisfaction, equality, work-life balance, as well as reduced turnover, burnout, stress and resentment towards management. The concepts would not work for every business or location, but they are highly advantageous to employees and organizations where they suit.

The psychosocial implications of chronic illnesses (CIs) are an apparent issue as exemplified through the extensive literature put forth on the matter. However, the primary focus of this literature is typically the aging population, and researchers have given less consideration to the experiences of youth. At this point in their life, young adults are already experiencing self-discovery, pursuing anticipated milestones, and defining one’s worth/purpose, therefore, being diagnosed and living with a CI only complicates these matters. Investigating how CIs impact young adults’ mental health (MH) is imperative when trying to understand the various intersecting forces that influence one’s ability to achieve optimal health and well being. This research explores the psychosocial effect of receiving a CI diagnosis using a qualitative, interpretive phenomenological approach ( Van Menen’s viewpoint) in which 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with university students. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Findings indicate that the onset of CIs among young adults adds/perpetuates various types of psychosocial distress, ultimately impacting one’s MH based on their exposure towards such stressors and ability to cope. Irrespective of individualized experiences, all participants unilaterally echoed the need for MH support post diagnosis. Such a finding warrants evaluation of the existing treatment and management of CIs, suggesting that interventions ought to be more holistically designed to include greater MH support. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Background: Previous research shows that people with dementia seem to experience outdoor environments as positive for their mental wellbeing. There are instances where the availability of such environments is limited, due to the perception that it is unsafe. Aim: The aim was to describe the experiences of the outdoor environment in people with dementia. Method: A systematic literature review containing a descriptive synthesis by Evans was used to analyze and compile the data of 11 articles. Findings: The results of the descriptive synthesis formed two themes and two subthemes, the first was reawakening of latent abilities along with the subthemes reminiscing and affected autonomy. The second was support of human interactions along with the subtheme's social communion and experience of meaningful participation. The result shows a relationship between reminiscing, well-being and self-image while residing outdoors, and how the experience of the outdoor environments changes the self-image for people with dementia. Conclusions: Despite findings that suggest positive benefits in relation to visiting the outdoor environment, the lack of research makes the findings inconclusive. Therefore, more research is needed to confirm the positive influence the outdoor environment has on people with dementia.

This study aims to look at the processes used when creating wellbeing economic projects to further understand what key themes there are. It applies Path-Dependency theory, consisting of Path-Dependence and Path-Creation to see if the chosen aspects are relevant to creating wellbeing projects and altering the path from the Anthropocene. Analysis is conducted on 45 implemented wellbeing economic projects from the Wellbeing Economy Alliance. After formulating questions based on this, interviews are carried out with ten experienced wellbeing leaders to gain a deeper understanding of what could be learned from their experiences of success and failure within wellbeing projects. The main findings of the study show that to effectively alter the path, power should be dispersed between as many people as possible, people are driven by a larger vision than specifics and it is essential for governments and the private sector to communicate with people to understand what they value in regards to wellbeing.

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