Spending time outside in nature can seem almost magical. As you breathe in the fresh air, feel the warmth of the sun, or watch the stars on a clear night, you can feel anxiety and stress fading away. Being in nature benefits everyone, but for those in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction, it can be a vital tool for staying sober and avoiding relapse. Research has shown that people who spend at least two hours a week enjoying time outside in a natural setting are happier and healthier. They feel more connected to themselves and the world around them and often gain a new perspective on life.
How Spending Time in Nature Benefits Your Recovery
While spending time outside in nature will not cure an addiction, it is another tool to use as you travel the road to lasting recovery. Whether you ride a bike, swim in the ocean, work in your garden, or take a walk in a park, the time you spend outdoors will benefit your recovery in numerous ways. Here are six of those ways.
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety often play a significant part in many substance use disorders. Sometimes people self-medicate to escape the pressures of life. As addiction develops, stress and anxiety increase. Spending time in nature allows the mind and body time to relax and unwind. Take in all the beautiful sights, smells, and sounds that surround you as you feel them calming your nerves, allowing for a time of peaceful reflection.
- Strengthens Your Immune System
Spending time in nature strengthens and improves your immune system. Vitamin D is an essential hormone for a healthy immune system. It is released naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight. Chemicals called phytoncides, produced by plants, aid the immune system and kill harmful bacteria. Soil contains microbes that reduce anxiety and boost serotonin levels. When stress is reduced, the parasympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, reversing the body’s response to stress. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration decrease, digestion increases, and your body receives signals to heal from injury or illness as you rest and relax.
- Improves Brain Function
During withdrawal, as the body and brain adjust to life without alcohol or drugs, the person often has difficulty focusing, concentrating, and solving problems. Many studies show that spending time outdoors in nature improves cognitive function, focus, and problem-solving skills. It also fosters creative thinking as the natural surroundings allow our brains to take a rest.
- Promotes a More Restful Sleep
A key aspect to living a healthy lifestyle is getting a restful night’s sleep. In recovery, especially in the early stages, insomnia is a common problem. Spending time in nature, especially in the early morning sunlight, helps your body reset its natural sleep patterns called circadian rhythms. Once your natural circadian rhythms are restored, you will get a more restful sleep, feel better, and have more energy.
- Reduces Feelings of Boredom and Loneliness
Two common relapse triggers for those recovering from a substance use disorder are boredom and loneliness. Often during the early part of their recovery, people struggle to find ways to fill the time they spent thinking about, obtaining, and using their drug of choice. This free time is harmful to their mental health, making them more susceptible to cravings and relapse. By getting out of their house and spending time engaged in an outdoor activity they enjoy, they are not thinking about using drugs.
- Encourages Exercise
Spending time outdoors encourages you to move. There is so much to do and see. Whether you take a leisurely walk to explore a new area or play a game of baseball with friends, you will reap the benefits of your physical activity. Besides getting in better shape, studies show that physical exercise fosters feelings of accomplishment, increases self-confidence, and creates an overall sense of well-being.
If You Need Help
Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a disease that can affect anyone. If you or a loved one struggles with a substance use disorder, now is the time to get the help you need. Call and speak to a caring professional at English Mountain Recovery located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. We will answer your questions and help you take the first step toward recovery.
