Exploring the Positive Impact of Natural Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Addiction recovery is a journey that will bring out the worst and best in you. This is why you will need all the help you can get from all kinds of sources, from people, communities, and even nature. Yes, nature has been shown to aid people in their journey to wellness. The
positive effects of natural therapy on addiction recovery are as follows:
1. Improved sleep hygiene
Addiction recovery becomes successful if one’s life is in control. If you want to live a good life where you are fully in control, it is imperative that you aim to have habits that allow you to sleep well on a daily basis. Such habits should include exposure to nature where you can get a daily dose of the following: fresh air and natural light. Both have been shown to be effective in regulating a person’s sleep pattern.
2. Healthy distraction
Exposure to nature is extremely engaging. It will allow you to feel a surge of sensations from the get-go. This is extremely helpful as it will make it easier for you to stay away from thoughts that can induce cravings. It will also help you in reducing negative thoughts. Nature will allow you to zone in and enjoy serenity. Such a state of mind will allow you to focus on positive thoughts. Focusing on positive thoughts will effectively rewire your brain and help you lead a substance-free lifestyle.
3. Reduced anxiety
Nature has a calming effect. Something about it effortlessly soothes one’s mind and body. The level of soothing that it provides is effective in reducing anxiety. Most people who suffer from addiction have anxiety-related disorders and such individuals will benefit the most when they intentionally expose themselves to nature. Nature reduces anxiety because it can instantly ground a person to reality. It sends effective messages to the brain that life, as it is, is not something to be anxious about.
4. Physical exercise
Any kind of outdoor exposure can allow a person to be physically in shape. Intentional nature exposure offers chances for physical exercise that brings a never-ending list of positive benefits. One of the main benefits of physical exercise is the constant release and supply of endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain relievers. You will immediately feel good when your body releases endorphins. This is something that can be experienced again and again after a good physical exercise that can be had when exposed to nature.
5. Improved concentration
If you want to fully recover and heal well, you need to have the capacity to concentrate. If you can concentrate and put your focus on one thing effectively, there will be no limit on what you can achieve. This includes having a lifestyle that is free from any substance consumption or addiction. Nature can help you concentrate. When in the presence of nature, you will find that it becomes easy for you to focus on things that truly matter. This in turn will allow you to slowly improve your capacity to concentrate.
6. Boosted creativity
You need to have a brand new way of seeing things if you want to truly fully recover. You need a brand new perspective. This is possible if you choose to be creative. Being creative can be tricky though, so if you want to boost it and nurture it, you should expose yourself to nature. Being in the presence of natural surroundings will boost your imagination and creativity. This will in turn allow you to easily have new perspectives and ideas geared towards personal growth.
7. Environmental awareness
How much do you appreciate the environment? Is it something that you have space for in your life? People who are environmentally aware are more in control of their lives because their existence is anchored to their connection with the environment. If you want to have that kind of life, the best way to begin is to expose yourself to nature.
8. Sense of freedom
Suffering from addiction is a constriction. There is a sense of not being able to do what one wants to do. This is something that can be countered with nature exposure. In nature, you will feel a sense of freedom and innate capacity to just be and do whatever it is that liberates your soul. Nature exposure has the magic to set a person free. Nature exposure is liberating.
9. Life skills development
Recovering from addiction requires the learning and application of life skills. Not knowing essential life skills played a big role in the lives of many people who suffered from addiction. This is why it is important to place focus on gaining life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving if one wants a completely new and fulfilling life. Constant and continuous application and practice of learned life skills are important if one wants a life free from any form of addiction.
10. Holistic healing
Healing is never centered on one thing alone. It involves a system that is interconnected and ever-moving. It involves the alignment of the mind, the body, and the spirit. When all three are aligned, holistic healing can take place. When there is holistic healing, it becomes easy for any individual, recovering from addiction or not, to control the direction of his or her life. Such direction always boils down to two choices: will you steer your life toward the good or the bad? Exposure to nature will help you and empower you to always make good choices as it effortlessly aligns the body, the mind, and the spirit.
Reference:
Nature therapy