There’s nothing like being in nature. The great outdoors draws people to take weeklong vacations across the country and see spectacular mountains, beaches, and other natural settings. And yet nature can also make a powerful impact during the course of addiction treatment. We’ve seen this firsthand as an addiction treatment facility based in the Vermont countryside. That’s why many holistic treatment centers for addiction utilize outdoor therapy as part of their rehab approach.
What is Outdoor Therapy?
According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, outdoor therapy consists of various intentional therapeutic processes that:
- Are place-based
- Feature active bodily engagement
- Recognize nature-human kinship
Also known as nature therapy, outdoor therapy takes counseling and therapy outside of the traditional therapy couch and into nature. It’s often a welcome change from the frequent indoor settings of treatment programming. After all, being in the open air is recommended for improving your mental health and well-being, shares the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Outdoor therapy takes the idea that the great outdoors is good for the soul and uses it to help you heal from addiction or mental health challenges.
Outdoor therapy programming is part of a group of experiential therapies or holistic therapies that are practiced alongside traditional evidence-based treatment at comprehensive rehab facilities. Not only is nature therapy designed to improve your emotional wellness, it’s also meant to challenge any self-limiting beliefs you’ve developed due to addiction. Therapy activities may occur in a park, garden, or the forest on a treatment center’s property. On the other hand, they may take place in remote mountain wilderness or a specially built ropes course.
Various Outdoor Therapy Programs
The experience of outdoor therapy can vary from extreme activities that push you to your limits to more relaxing and meditative outings. It can be as simple as taking a walk in the woods or journaling in a hammock. Or, it may be something more adrenaline-fueled like ziplining high above the treeline. Typical outdoor therapy programs you might find at different treatment facilities fall under three main categories:
- Ecotherapy: With the idea that being in nature can benefit your mental health, ecotherapy focuses on the connection humans have to the earth, shares Healthline.com. Ecotherapy activities may include gardening, outdoor yoga, forest bathing, and working with animals.
- Adventure therapy: Adventure therapy is designed to get you out of your comfort zone so you can learn more about yourself and your capabilities. Snowshoeing, canoeing, ropes and challenge courses, and hiking are some common adventure therapy activities.
- Wilderness therapy: Wilderness therapy focuses on outdoor activities that emphasize perseverance and flexibility, according to Verywellmind.com. Often conducted in group settings, activities may include backpacking or camping expeditions and problem-solving games.
The Benefits of Nature Therapy in Addiction Treatment
While getting out into nature is good for anyone, it’s uniquely beneficial for those trying to overcome addiction as well. By participating in outdoor therapy programs, you engage your mind, body, and spirit in one experience. Some of the ways that outdoor therapy can help your recovery journey include:
Improved Mood
When you’re struggling with addiction, it’s easy to feel down or discouraged. Being in nature, however, can lift your spirits. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), studies show that spending time in nature increases happiness, well-being, positive social interactions, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Better Self-Reliance and Perseverance
As you’ve likely tried multiple times to quit your substance but have failed over and over again, outdoor therapy can show you that you’re capable of seeing things through. By engaging in unfamiliar (and sometimes challenging) activities in nature, you learn how to do something new on your own. This gives you a sense of accomplishment that you can carry with you on the road to recovery.
More Mindfulness and Less Stress
While going outside can lift your mood, it can also reduce stress. No doubt stress and anxiety have dominated your life with addiction pulling the strings, so outdoor therapy can be a welcome respite from it all. While participating in outdoor therapy activities, you can take time away from distraction to reflect on your recovery journey. At the same time, you can learn to practice mindfulness, which can be a key tool to keep addiction triggers at bay.
Community and Belonging
Because many of its activities are done as a group, outdoor therapy can pull you out of social isolation and foster connection with other people. It also teaches you how to build trust with others and develop social skills. In the process, the community you create can lead to a sense of belonging that can help you stay the course with treatment.
Outdoor Therapy at Sana at Stowe
At Sana at Stowe in Stowe, Vermont, we believe a well-rounded recovery is key to lasting sobriety and a reclaimed life. That’s why we offer a variety of holistic therapies and wellness activities as part of our drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs. Among those are outdoor therapy activities, including:
- A serenity walk in our beautiful outdoor campus
- Yoga
- Gardening
- Fitness activities like swimming and tennis
- Snowshoeing
If you’re ready to overcome addiction and improve your physical, mental, and emotional health in the process, we can help. Call us today to learn more about our treatment programs.
