You will boost your recovery journey if you will immerse yourself in nature. More and more studies now highlight nature’s role in traditional rehabilitation methods. Now more than ever, people know that in order to better heal and recover, nature must always be part of the equation. This makes perfect sense as we belong to nature after all. The following are the solid ways by which nature complements traditional rehab methods for those recovering from substance abuse:
1.Nature will enhance your mood.
It is impossible to be in the presence of nature and be in a mad mood. It is simply impossible to not feel joy and ease in the presence of green living things. This is why most doctors now recommend daily interaction with nature. It is often stressed by many that the most important thing that you can do upon waking up is decide to be in a good mood. Being in a good mood will affect your day as it will help you in making good and healthy decisions every step of the way. This is why it is immensely helpful to people who are recovering from addiction.
People who are recovering from addiction need all the help they can get when it comes to making good decisions every single time. They must be committed to choosing a good life that is free from any form of substance abuse. This is why most rehab centers now have dedicated spaces where recovering individuals can be fully immersed and in touch with nature. Being in the presence of lush flora and fauna is a good mood hack that greatly helps recovering individuals wire their brains to make good decisions every step of the way. Being in a good mood greatly helps people in having the emotional strength to live a good life. Emotional strength is necessary because there is a lot that a recovering person has to deal with. So much so that it can even be overwhelming. This is where nature can enter as it will help in easing a person into doing good things and making good decisions by being in a good mood.
2.Nature will improve your focus and mental clarity.
People who are recovering from addiction have a lot of work to do when it comes to their mental clarity. This is the case because it is their larger-than-life confusion that has led to addiction. The lack of mental clarity resulted in a life that made it easy for them to make poor decisions. This is the most natural thing as people who do not have mental clarity end up making poor choices and poor decisions. Nature is a great mental cleanser. Mere exposure to it allows people to effortlessly quiet their minds and gain clarity. This is the case because being in the presence of nature — mighty, wild, immense, grand, glorious, and beautiful, easily grounds us. It is grounding because immersion sends a clear message of how little and but a dust we are in the grand scheme of things. Hence, mental clarity ensues. Things that do not truly matter simply melt away. Things that truly mean everything to us just simply arise. Rehabilitation centers make the most out of this fact as they integrate activities that involve immersion and exposure to nature. A clear mind is a mind capable of seeing the truth in any kind of situation and making the best decision possible every single time. To fully recover from addiction, one’s mind does not have to be perfect, it simply has to be clear.
3.Nature will allow you to be physical.
A healthy body is necessary if you want to commit to a drug-free lifestyle. This is possible if you will intentionally engage yourself in activities that will allow your body to move and freely express its might and strength. This is something that can seamlessly happen if you are exposed to nature. Nature is so engaging and energizing that you will find yourself effortlessly doing physical things without even noticing. People, may they be alone or with others, find themselves moved to act and play when in the presence of nature. Daily nature exposure is extremely ideal if one wants to be physical without any force or mental strain. This is the case because nature is very inviting — may it be swimming, hiking, or diving, nature can offer all the fun physical activities imaginable.
4.Nature will allow for emotional release.
A huge part of healing from drug addiction involves the release of bottled emotion. These bottled-up emotions even served as the driving force that led to the need for escape. These very emotions are the ones that recovering drug abusers ultimately deal with during healing. Nature is a safe space where emotional release can take place. In the grand and peaceful presence of nature, one who has been bottling up emotions can fully feel safe and free to let go of emotional burdens and finally face life as it happened. In nature, one can fully let go and be certain that all will be well as there is a sense of groundness and presence when one is surrounded by life. This is why rehab centers now dedicate time for emotional release and healing through spending intentional and dedicated time in nature. Nature’s immense soothing power is extremely powerful in and encouraging for people who have yet to deal with their repressed emotions.
Reference:
How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
Nature: How connecting with nature benefits our mental health
