How Do I Benefit From Nature in Recovery?

Recovery from mental illness is an individualized process, unique to each person. Everyone has their own personal goals for recovery. Sometimes the goal can be to get to a point in your life where you are free of symptoms. The ability to manage your mental illness well enough to thrive in your life is another common goal for recovery. Being mindful of what you need for a successful recovery is essential for success.

In recovery, it is important to understand the four dimensions of recovery: health, home, purpose, and community. Understanding your needs in these areas will help you develop a lifestyle that will fill those needs. There is one readily available resource that can help you flourish in all four dimensions of recovery – nature.

Health Benefits of Interacting With Nature

It is easy to overlook nature as a resource for better health. The health benefits of nature are varied and numerous. Spending regular time outdoors is linked to better overall health. Nature can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health.

The physical benefits might be the only thing that you consider when thinking about spending time in nature. When you are outside, you are exposing yourself to fresh air and sunshine. Spending regular time outdoors has been shown to boost your immune system and lower your blood pressure. It can even help you regulate your sleep patterns. You are probably also getting exercise when you are outside which will also improve your overall health. 

There are also many mental benefits that you can enjoy when you spend time interacting with nature. Fresh air and sunshine also benefit you mentally, but beyond that, being around plants, animals, and water sources has been shown to reduce stress and help you feel better about yourself. You can improve your mood and increase your energy levels by spending time outdoors. It can also improve your ability to focus. 

There are so many health benefits to spending time outdoors and finding a connection to nature. You can get these benefits from many different sources, from time spent at the beach or in a forest or simply growing your own plants or seeing trees in urban landscaping. Keeping ourselves healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically is a vital need. Nature can play an important part in filling that human need.

How Can Nature Fit My Needs in Recovery?

There are a number of aspects of life you can improve in recovery. Here are some that can benefit from experiences in nature:

#1 Health

The first dimension of recovery to consider is your health. Including time spent outdoors in your daily or weekly routine has many health benefits, both mental and physical. Making sure that your body is operating at an optimum level is crucial for your recovery from a mental illness. 

#2 Stability

Having a safe and stable home life is the second important dimension to establish for successful recovery. Your home space should be somewhere that is soothing and relaxing for you. There are many ways that you can incorporate aspects of nature into your home life to make it a relaxing environment. If you have space, you could start a garden. You could keep houseplants if a garden is not an option. Even something as simple as keeping your blinds and windows open to expose yourself to the nature available in your neighborhood can be beneficial for your recovery process.

#3 Purpose

Finding a sense of purpose is another key element for your recovery process. Taking care of something like a pet or a plant is one way to add to your sense of purpose. You could also commit to picking up litter during a nice walk outdoors. Making the world around you a more beautiful place is an excellent goal. Nature can provide several ways for you to gain a stronger sense of purpose and support your recovery.

#4 Community 

The final dimension of recovery is community. Developing connections with other people is essential for all people, but is especially crucial for people in recovery. If you are trying to blend the benefits of nature with your social health there are so many options. Any time you are outside, you may find an opportunity to interact with another person. You could also find a local group that participates in activities that you are interested in, such as hiking or bird watching. 

Finding Support in Recovery

Even when you are doing everything that you can to build a lifestyle that will support your recovery, you might still need a little extra support. If you are struggling or would like to branch out but don’t know how it is important to remember that there are resources out there that can help you. At Alter Wellness Care, we have the resources to give you whatever support you need. Our mental health care team specializes in providing support throughout the diagnostic, treatment, and recovery process. 

Incorporating nature into your recovery plan can be extremely beneficial for you. The health benefits of being outdoors are varied and numerous. There are so many opportunities to include interaction with nature in your lifestyle; it’s all about finding what interests you. Enjoying yourself in nature is an excellent way to support your recovery. If you need help developing a plan for your recovery process, Alter Wellness Care can help. Our compassionate team is ready to give you any support that you need. We strive to help our clients achieve all of their goals. Call our team today at (866) 311-3510 to find out what resources we have for you.