Nature’s restorative properties are well-documented. Spending time outdoors can help you feel more grounded and better connected to other living things. One of the unique amenities of Vista Taos Renewal Center is our proximity to incredible mountain and desert scenery. If you need to begin healing from your addiction to alcohol or drugs, our beautiful setting is an excellent place to start the journey.
Benefits of Nature in Addiction Recovery
You don’t have to be particularly outdoorsy to enjoy the benefits of nature, and it has special advantages for people who are working to break the cycle of substance misuse.
1. Nature Brings Rebirth
The rhythms of the natural world are all about starting fresh. Even after the devastation of a wildfire, nature persists and finds a way to regrow and come back stronger than ever. This thought can be a source of inspiration to you as you are beginning a new chapter in your life after the damage addiction has wreaked on your body, mind and spirit.
2. A Natural Setting Boosts Your Mood
Think about how you feel on a glorious spring day with the sun’s rays warming your skin and the breeze gently running through your hair. Everywhere you look, you see flowers blooming and squirrels leaping through the trees. Spending time outdoors is a balm for your mood that leaves you feeling uplifted and refreshed. Exposure to sunlight is excellent for your mental health because it helps release serotonin in your brain. If you suffer from depression, light therapy is a drug-free way to help you feel better.
3. Nature Keeps You Grounded
Addiction recovery is about living in the present moment, not dwelling on the past or fretting about the future. At its core, connecting with nature encourages you to quiet your mind and focus on the beauty that surrounds you. Being in a natural setting is a form of meditation that can help still your thoughts and manage your emotions. Next time you feel anxious or overstressed, try taking a walk outside. You’ll be getting your blood flowing and improving your energy levels at the same time.
4. You Can Explore Your Spirituality
If you are seeking addiction treatment, you are looking to reverse years of emotional upheaval and regain control of your life. Changing your surroundings can be enormously beneficial for your recovery process. By incorporating activities such as hiking and wildlife watching into your rehab, we encourage you to make a connection with something larger than yourself. You don’t have to be religious to benefit from self-reflection and soul searching. Let the views of Taos inspire you, as they have done for many artists and healers over the centuries.
5. Exposure to the Natural World Makes People More Generous
Feeling awe when you experience something like a breathtaking sunset or a vast mountain range inspires you to practice kindness toward others, according to a study by teams from UC Berkeley and UC Irvine. If you are looking for a way to become a nicer person, look to surroundings that make you feel like a tiny speck in a vast universe.
How to Get Your Daily Dose of Nature
The best way to experience the healing powers of nature is to incorporate more outdoors time into your routine. Try moving your fitness routine outside, or take up a hobby such as gardening that puts you in physical contact with the earth. On days that seem tailor-made for being outside, try reading a book on your porch so you can benefit from letting nature surround you.
Are you ready to begin your recovery in a setting that encourages interaction with the healing power of nature? Contact us at Vista Taos. We are a nationally accredited, family-owned treatment facility in New Mexico for adults who are struggling with substance misuse issues.
