Photo: Priscilla Du Preez | Unsplash
In Denmark, prescriptions for group-based experiences, like concerts or library read-alouds, are helping people reconnect with themselves. Kulturvitaminer, as the program is called, is exposing people to a range of art and cultural experiences to help them connect with their own feelings, even the negative ones — which is especially key in a society known for its hygge (which means warmth, comfort or satisfaction) and focus on happiness. Kulturvitaminer is a 10-week program, designed for unemployed people dealing with psychological struggles like anxiety. It employs “exposure therapy,” meaning it exposes people to the thing they are afraid of. Over time, the anxiety lessens as people progress through experiences they thought they couldn’t handle. Studies of the program show promising results. The results of four Danish municipalities’ pilots show that participants experienced “increased energy level, increased self-esteem, more joy in life, less panic attacks, increased motivation, a better understanding of their own needs, and an increased level of self-care.”
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