Abstract In Finland, cardiovascular and mental health disorders are common diseases that burden the healthcare system. Every spring, the national Heart Association organizes a Heart Week with several partners. During the Heart Week, events are organized all over Finland to provide information on heart health issues. This year the partner was Suomen Latu, the Finnish Outdoor Association, and the theme was hiking. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Heart Week was postponed to the fall.

The purpose of this thesis was to promote the heart and mental health of the participants by organizing an event where cardiac patients and their next of kin receive health counselling in the form of a lecture and assignments. The lecture discussed the connection between heart health, mental health and nature. The aim of the thesis was to increase the participants' understanding about the issues affecting heart health. The objective of the thesis was to organize a day of dreams outdoors. The event was aimed at cardiac patients living in rural North Karelia and their next of kin.

The event A Day of Dreams Outdoors was part of the National Heart Week. According to the feedback from the participants, the event was useful and successful. Material planned for the event is still available at the North Karelia Heart Association. An idea for further development could be a two-day nature camp for heart patients and their next of kin. The aim would be to offer the participants peer support and nature experiences.