When we are in recovery from our addictions and mental health issues, we can find tremendous healing in the natural world around us. Many people feel comforted and relaxed when in nature, and it can have significant benefits for our anxiety, depression and other challenges.
Many of us associate being outdoors with feeling happy. From our favorite childhood memories to our hobbies as adults, many of us love to be outside. When we are experiencing severe mental and emotional distress, however, we have a very hard finding the courage and motivation to venture outside. We often confine ourselves indoors and close ourselves off from the healing that can be found everywhere around us.
Often when we are struggling, we are most focused on the turmoil in our minds, and that is where we direct most of our energy. We can lose sight of our other forms of intelligence – the wisdom of our hearts, bodies, souls and spirits. Being in nature can help us to reconnect with these parts of ourselves. This can help to alleviate some of the stress and pressure we put on our minds, which are often working on overdrive, especially when we are in crisis.
Spending time in nature is one of the easiest ways to reconnect with ourselves and to find a sense of peace and balance. The fresh air reminds us to take deep, full breaths. This helps us to calm our anxiety by quieting our minds and slowing our heart rates. The ocean, plants, butterflies, and sunsets inspire us to make time for gratitude, and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us. People find that bird watching, walking outdoors and other nature-based activities can help them to reduce their stress levels.
Being in nature is a wonderful way to work with our chakras, or energy centers. We can balance our root chakras by walking barefoot on the earth and by hugging trees. Both of these are simple but profound grounding exercises. We can visualize roots growing from within us and into the earth, helping us to feel supported and protected. Our sacral chakras respond quite well to swimming and being in water. The flow of the water can help to heal and support the flow of our creativity and manifestation powers. Our crown chakra responds quite well to being in fresh air, and meditating for a few minutes outdoors can have an immediate calming effect.
We include holistic healing in our treatment programs at Vista Taos, and we are here to help you find the methods that work for you. Call (575) 586-5078.
