This practicum focuses on developing a deeper knowledge about stress and our external environments. It is directed towards the profession of Landscape Architecture, and healthcare facilities including professionals. It outlines critical information about stress: how stress affects people’s physical, emotional, mental health and well-being, and how landscape architects are able to mitigate different types of stress through the design and use of our exterior environments, offering respite and healing in times of great need. Stress reveals and manifests itself in numerous ways. It has become a major problem within our society, much bigger than people care to acknowledge or believe. Landscape Architects have the ability to help people reflect upon the stress that they are under by creating spaces that inevitably sooth their ‘selves’. Through the profession and subsequent work of Landscape Architects the awareness of stress can be addressed, helping bring respite and relieve tension and stress, whether large or small, which is extremely critical in today’s society. Through the use of gardens and exterior spaces designed with stress-relief in mind, we will be able to decrease hospital stays, drug use and the overall amount of money used by medical institutions and governments, while decreasing the progression and succession of illness and diseases related to and accentuated or propagated by, or due to stress. Through this document I will discuss ideas and theories that influence and/or are pertinent to Landscape Architecture and stress, as well as natural elements that should be taken into consideration when starting to design or when planning a design that will be situated within medical institutions and healthcare facilities, but not limited to, and including any other exterior environment (such as a backyard). It will also outline design elements which emphasize appropriate ways to design these spaces and places responsibly and sensitively. By understanding how people respond to stress, Landscape Architects may be able to design appropriate, beautiful spaces. Initially this practicum was directed towards designing beautiful, meaningful gardens for the sick and/or dying, as well as for the families, visitors, and employees within healthcare settings. It has evolved, to include how our brains and bodies are physiologically affected by spaces and places that we encounter, and how these spaces either reduce or increase stress responses within us, therefore, increasing or decreasing our ability to heal, be healthy, and feel well. Stress is a major condition that is often “down-played”, ignored, or not understood within society. It is in fact a very serious condition / illness that has the ability to dictate the outcome of our physical and mental performances, and especially our health and well-being. Landscape Architects have the ability and responsibility to contribute positively to people’s bodily reactions to spaces: exterior and interior.

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien var att undersöka samband mellan socialt stöd och nätverk gentemot upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa hos gymnasielever i årskurs tre. Frågeställningarna var huruvida det fanns några samband mellan socialt stöd och nätverk gentemot upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa, vilken form av socialt stöd och nätverk som var mest relevant och vilken roll dess storlek har, samt om det fanns några skillnader mellan könen i förhållandet till socialt stöd och nätverk. Metod Undersökningen är en explorativ och kvantitativ enkätstudie där totalt 326 individer från olika skolor i Eskilstuna, Stockholm och Filipstad ingick. Åldern på deltagarna varierade mellan 17 och 21 år och medelålder var 18 (±0,7) år. 198 var tjejer och 123 killar, fem personer ville ej svara på frågan eller uppfattade sig inte som något av alternativen. Deltagarna besvarade frågor med fasta svarsalternativ kring kvalitén på sitt sociala stöd och storleken på sitt sociala nätverk, samt om upplevd fysisk och psykisk hälsa. Därefter genomfördes olika korrelationsobservationer för att finna eventuella samband mellan de olika faktorerna. Deltagarna till studien har valts utifrån ett icke slumpmässigt, till viss del typiskt, bekvämlighetsmässigt urval. Resultat Signifikanta positiva samband noterades mellan graden av socialt stöd (kvalitet) och upplevd psykisk respektive fysisk hälsa. Starkast korrelation fanns mellan psykisk hälsa och socialt stöd (r = 0,46). Svaga positiva korrelationer fanns mellan antalet (kvantitet) vänner (r = 0,19) respektive familjemedlemmar och släktingar (r = 0,19) gentemot psykisk hälsa, och i förhållande till familj och släkt även den fysiska (r = 0,14). Inga signifikanta skillnader kunde ses mellan könen. Slutsats Studiens hypotes om en positiv samvariation mellan upplevd hälsa och socialt stöd och nätverk stämde i de flesta fall och kvalitet visade sig vara överordnad kvantitet. / Aim The purpose of this study was to examine relations between social support and networks, against the perceived physical and mental health of high school students in grade three. The question formulations were whether there was any correlation between social support and networks against perceived physical and mental health, which form of social support and network that were most relevant and what role its size has, and if there were any gender differences in relation to social support and networks. Method The study is an exploratory and quantitative survey in which a total of 326 individuals were included from various schools in Eskilstuna, Stockholm and Filipstad. The age of the participants ranged between 17 and 21 years, and mean age was 18 (±0.7) years, 198 were girls and 123 boys, five people did not answer the question or did not perceived themselves as either one of the options. The participants answered questions with response sets about the quality of their social support and the size of their social network and perceived physical and mental health. After that, observations were completed to find eventual correlations between the different factors. Participants for this study were selected on a non-random, somewhat typical, conveniences based method. Results Significant positive correlations were observed between the degree of social support (quality) and perceived mental and physical health Strongest correlation was found between mental health and social support (r = 0,46). Low positive correlation was found between the number (quantity) of friends (r = 0,19) and family/relatives (r = 0,19) in relation to mental health, and in relation to family and relatives also the physical health (r = 0,14). No significant differences were seen between the sexes. Conclusion The study’s hypothesis of a positive correlation between perceived health and social support and network sued in most cases, and the quality was shown to be superior to the quantity.

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Title: A comparison of dynamic abilities in nordic ski disciplines Aim: This dissertation aims to compare the dynamic abilities of cross country skiers and ski jumper in age between 12 to 15. Clarification of whether or not a training process of those two athlete groups has a crucial impact on the development of mentioned abilities compared to the other hobby sports group (target group). Methodology: This dissertation is conceived as empiric-theoretical. It analyses the results of samples to verify the hypothesis. There were three groups consisting of 10 samples (athletes) in total. The samples were tested in horizontal jumps (long jump, triple jump, multiple jumps) and vertical jumps (squat jump, counter movement jump). In all tests, it was decided to use only the best of all three attempts for the results. Findings: Development of dynamic abilities during the training process has a positive impact on their development in general. Both cross country skiers and ski jumpers achieved better results than the target group. Furthermore, ski jumpers performed better than cross country skiers. Keywords: physical health, sport performance, cross country skiing, ski jumping, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), long jump, triple jump, multiple jumps

Idag finns det begränsad kunskap om studenters välmående under en pandemi. Covid-19 har påverkat dagens skolundervisning på så sätt att Folkhälsomyndighetens rekommendationer uppmanat att universitet och högskolor skall övergå till distansstudier. Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur universitets/högskolestudenter vidmakthållit sin hälsa efter att ha börjat studera hemifrån på grund av covid-19. En kvalitativ metod tillämpades där sex svenska universitets/högskolestudenter intervjuades individuellt med hjälp av en intervjuguide. En kvalitativ manifest innehållsanalys av data resulterade i en huvudkategori: “Vägar till välmående under hemmastudier” samt tre underkategorier: (1) Socialt stöd genom digitala medel, (2) Aktiviteter för kropp och själ och (3) Rutiner skapar en strukturerad vardag. Resultatet visar att deltagarna använt sig av olika vägar för att främja sitt välmående under hemmastudier. Detta genom att hålla kontakten via digitala medel, fysisk aktivitet vilket även gör gott för den psykiska hälsan och att rutiner leder till struktur i ens vardag. Slutsatsen indikerar på att deltagarnas upplevelser, erfarenheteter, hanterbarhet och meningsfullhet har gjort att de klarat av att upprätthålla välmående under covid-19. Detta bidrar med ökad kunskap till hälsovägledare och andra professioner som arbetar hälsopromotivt för att främja och vidmakthålla individers hälsa. / Today there is limited research on students well-being during a pandemic. Covid-19 has affected schools in which the Public Health Agency has given recommendations for universities to transfer to distance learning. The aim of this study was to examine how university-students maintain their health after they have started to study from home due to covid-19. The study was conducted using a qualitative method where six Swedish university-students was interviewed using an interview guide. Analysis of the data meant that the results produced a main category “Roads to well-being during distance learning” and three subcategories: (1) Social support through digital means, (2) Activities for mind and body, and (3) Routines makes for everyday structure. Results showed that participants used different paths to promote their well-being by keeping contact through digital means, physical activity which also benefits mental health and routines makes for a structured everyday life. Conclusion indicates that the participants experiences and manageability have served them to maintain well-being during covid-19. This will provide added knowledge to health counselors and other professions who work towards promoting and maintain individual health.

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For 30 years researchers have studied Expressive Writing (EW) - writing emotionally about a trauma 3-5 times for 15-30 minutes, while controls (CW) objectively write about, most often, time management. Previous research has documented associations, in the trauma condition, between flexible use of pronouns and physical health, or between trauma writing and improvement of working memory (WM). The main aim of the current study was to see if there is a relation between flexible use of first-person pronoun singular (“I”) in EW and improved results on WM test, as well as on quality of life and self-reported illness. In an Internet study participants were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling and randomly divided on conditions. The final sample consisted of 10 participants each in EW and CW: 13 women, 6 men and 1 non-binary, 21-69 years, most of them well educated. Outcome measures were WM test (Automated version of Operation Span Task; AOSPAN), self-reported quality of life (Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life; BBQ) and self-reported illness (days of symptoms and restricted activities). JASP was used for the statistics. A measure of flexible use of the Swedish pronoun “jag” (“I”) was tested and found to associate with significant improvements in AOSPAN results only; unexpectedly within the whole sample. On condition one significant result was found: EW improved their quality of life. The increase in AOSPAN results is discussed, as well as writing instructions and baseline assessments. The small sample with self-reported health measures and online WM test limited the study. Replications of the results are needed. / I 30 år har forskare studerat Expressivt skrivande (EW) - att skriva känslomässigt om ett trauma 3-5 gånger à 15-30 minuter. Kontrollbetingelsen (CW) har ofta bestått av att objektivt beskriva sin tidsanvändning. Tidigare forskning har i traumabetingelsen påvisat samband mellan en flexibel användning av pronomen och fysisk hälsa, eller mellan traumaskrivande och förbättrade resultat på test av arbetsminne (WM). Huvudsyftet med den föreliggande studien var att se om det finns ett samband mellan en flexibel användning i EW av pronomenet första person singular (”jag”) och förbättrade resultat på arbetsminnestest, samt på livskvalitet och självrapporterad ohälsa. Tio deltagare vardera deltog i experiment- respektive kontrollgruppen: 13 kvinnor, 6 män och 1 icke-binär, 21-69 år; de flesta välutbildade. Deltagarna rekryterades genom bekvämlighets- och snöbollsurval och fördelades slumpvis till betingelserna. En internetstudie genomfördes, med utfallsmåtten arbetsminnestest (Automated version of Operation Span Task; AOSPAN), självskattad livskvalitet (Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life; BBQ), samt självskattad ohälsa (dagar med symptom respektive med begränsade aktiviteter). JASP användes för de statistiska analyserna. Ett mått för flexibel användning av det svenska pronomenet ”jag” testades och visade sig vara associerat med signifikanta förbättringar enbart av AOSPAN-resultatet, men förvånande nog inom hela urvalet. I övrigt hittades endast en skillnad mellan betingelserna, nämligen att experimentgruppen signifikant förbättrade sin självskattade livskvalitet. Ökningen av AOSPAN-resultaten diskuteras, liksom skrivinstruktioner och baslinjeskattningar. Studien begränsades av ett litet urval, självskattade hälsomått och nätbaserat arbetsminnestest. Replikationer av resultaten är nödvändiga.

1. Unterschiedliche Definitionen der Gesundheit mit verschiedenen Betrachtungsweisen (WHO: Der Mensch eine biopsychosoziale Einheit. Schulmedizin: ohne klinischen und paraklinischen Befund mit Orientierung an kritikbedürftigen Referenzmittelwerten) führt bei Fachleuten, Behörden und Laien zu Verwirrungen, wenn es um die Beurteilung gesundheitlicher Schäden geht. 2. Es wurde die Aufgabe gestellt zu prüfen, welche der beiden Definitionen der Realität näher kommt. 3. Mittels der chronopsychobiologischen Regulationsdiagnostik, des Dreiphasenentspannungstests (Hecht und Balzer 2001), wurden unter dem Aspekt der beiden Gesundheitsdefinitionen drei Gruppen untersucht (je 40 Probanden). - klinisch Gesunde (klinisch Gesunde nach Schulmedizin ) - Gesunde nach Definition der WHO - Probanden mit nichtorganische Insomnie (ohne pathologische klinische und paraklinische Befunde) 4. Die mit den verwendeten Methoden gewonnenen Daten wiesen aus, dass zwischen den klinisch Gesunden und den Probanden mit nichtorganischer Insomnie weitgehend größere Ähnlichkeiten bestehen. Beide Gruppen zeigten aber zu der Gruppe der Gesunden nach WHO-Definition, welche die biopsychosoziale Einheit des Menschen berücksichtigt, noch hochsignifikante Unterschiede. Die Gruppe der klinisch Gesunden kann daher auf Grund unserer Ergebnisse nicht den Anspruch erheben, real gesund zu sein. 5. Mit der Bezugnahme auf die Internationale Klassifikation der Krankheiten (ICD 10F) haben die von uns untersuchten klinisch Gesunden und die nichtorganischen Insomniker eine mehr oder weniger stark ausgeprägte Symptomatik von psychischen Störungen. Dies müsste bei der Beurteilung von Schadstoff-, Lärm-, und EMF-Wirkungen auf den Menschen, wie auch bei den klinisch-pharmakoloischen Untersuchungen beachtet werden. Die in der Arbeit erzielten Ergebnisse bedürfen durch weitere Untersuchungen eine Fundierung. Sie signalisieren aber sowohl unter praktischen als auch unter theoretischen Aspekten einen dringenden Forschungsbedarf. / 1. Differing definitions of health using different criterea (WHO: The human being as a bio- psycho-social unit versus classical medicine: without clinical and paraclinical results based on suspect reference values) bring confusion to experts, authorities and laymen when assessing health damages. 2. The given task was to check which of the two definitions is closer to reality. 3. Using the chrono-psycho-biological diagnostic of regulation, the three-phase-relaxation test (Hecht and Balzer 2001), three groups were examined considering the aspects of the two health definitions (40 test subjects in the study group). - clinically healthy (clinically healthy per classical medicine definition) - healthy per definition of the WHO - test persons with non organic insomnia (i.e. no pathological or paraclinical findings) 4. The data gained from the employed methods revealed bigger similarities between clinically healthy persons and those with non organic insomnia. Both groups still showed highly significant differences to the group which fulfils the definition of the WHO regarding a human as a bio-psycho-social unit. As a result of this study, persons, though classified as "clinically healthy" might nevertheless not absolutely be healthy in reality. 5. In reference to the international classification of illnesses (ICD 10 F) the groups examined, both of clinically healthy and those with non organic insomnia, have more or less severe psychological symptoms. This should be taken into account when assessing the effects of pollution, noise, and EMF as well as clinical pharmacological studies. These present findings still need broader confirmation by further investigations. However, they clearly indicate, for practical and theoretical considerations, an urgent need for further research.

Städerna växer och allt fler strukturer av olika material byggs upp, och med detta minskar de gröna ytor som finns. Träd huggs ned och olika växter dras ut med rötterna och ersätts av metall, betong, lera m.m. De ytor som en gång varit gröna och fulla av liv blir allt mer gråa och livlösa. Människan skapar större städer, med höga och stora byggnader som ersätter den vegetation som en gång legat på platsen. Den fråga som då uppstår är: Hur kan vi fortsätta bygga strukturer, men samtidigt inte minska på de gröna ytor som finns? Ett alternativ kan vara att integrera grönska och vegetation på byggnadernas fasader, terrasser och tak, samtidigt skapa ytor på olika nivåer som ersätter den mark som finns under byggnaderna. Samtidigt är det viktigt att fundera över den påverkan som grönska har på oss människor och arkitekturen som den vistas bland. I Sverige, som i många andra delar av världen, väljer en stor mängd människor att vistas bland vegetation/grönska eller tycker om att ta hand om sin trädgård och befinna sig i den. Bland vackra och väldoftande blommor och växter. Därför är syftet med arbetet att både fundera över hur man kan integrera grönska i arkitekturen, men även undersöka vilken påverkan denna integrering kan komma att ha på människans psykiska och fysiska välmående. Resultatet av den studie som utförts visar en positiv inverkan av integration av grönska på arkitektur, men att mängden spelar en stor roll för de som besvarade enkätens frågor. Likaså visar experternas påståenden att detta stämmer in på det arbete de tidigare utfört och/eller det arbete de strävar efter. Dessutom kan resultatet av dessa stärkas med hjälp av den teoretiska bakgrund som stödjer studien, där ett flertal forskare för diskussionen vidare i sin forskning och belyser vikten av att utföra fler studier av denna sort för att säkerställa vikten av ämnet i fråga. Integreringen av grönska på terrasser, fasader och tak blir allt mer aktuellt, även här i Sverige, och med denna studie hoppas den studieansvariga att frågan tas upp ännu mer och vidare forskas inom den nordiska, eller mer specifikt den svenska sektorn. / The cities are growing and more and more structures made up of different materials are being built, and with this follows the reduction of already existing green spaces. Trees are cut down and different plants are pulled out along with their roots and replaced by metal, concrete, clay etc. The spaces that used to be green and full of life are becoming increasingly grey and lifeless. Humans are building larger and larger cities, with high and massive buildings that are replacing the vegetation that was once present on the ground beneath them. The question that then arises is: How can we continue building and expanding our cities, without damaging and reducing the green spaces that already exist? An alternative can be the integration of greenery and vegetation on the building’s façade and on its rooftops, and at the same time create surfaces on different levels that can replace the ground beneath the building.  At the same time it is important to think about the impact that greenery has on us humans and on architecture. In Sweden, like in many other countries around the world, a large quantity of people choose to walk or stay where there is vegetation/greenery or like to take care of their garden and enjoy the beauty of it. Among beautiful and fragrant flowers and plants. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to both reflect on how one can integrate greenery in architecture, but also examine the impact that this form of integration can have on the human psyche and physical well-being. The results of the conducted study shows a positive impact of the integration of greenery on architecture, quantity, however, plays a large part for the respondents of the enquiry. Also the claims made by the experts within the field of architecture shows that this does in fact align with the work that they either have conducted in the past or the work that they are striving for. In addition, the results can through these be strengthened with the help of the theoretic background that supports the study conducted, where several researchers further the discussion in their research and highlight the importance of conducting more studies of this sort to ensure the importance of the subject at hand. The integration of greenery on facades and rooftops is becoming increasingly more relevant, even in Sweden. With this thesis, the study supervisor and author hope that the question is brought to light more and that more research is conducted within the Nordic, or more specifically the Swedish sector.

Many of the caring tasks previously done by health care professionals are these days handled by caregivers. Caregivers are selected, trained and to a certain extend supervised. Little attention is however given to the effects that care giving has on their physical and mental health and own needs for caring and support. This study is an exploratory, qualitative and quantitative investigation into the effects of care giving on the physical and mental health of caregivers in HIV and AIDS programmes to determine their needs for ongoing support. A literature study was supplemented by an empirical investigation. The literature study and empirical investigation proved that care giving has a tremendous impact on the lives of caregivers. Recommendations resulting from the study are the need for more education and skills for caregivers, support through counselling, debriefing and support groups, policies and guidelines that makes provision for caregivers to be registered and receive a fixed income. / Social Work / M. A. ((SS)(Mental Health)Social Work)