One part of recovery that is often overlooked is getting out into nature. Nature can be a grounding technique you can use. Feel the soil under your toes, smell the flowers beside you, and feel the wind on your face. Connect with where you are. Too many people don’t take advantage of what’s right in their backyard. Besides grounding, the outdoors can help you get exercise. Exercise is another thing that’s often overlooked in recovery. Staying physically healthy is important for those of us who have dealt with mental illnesses or substance use. Moving your body releases natural endorphins that make you feel good. That is what recovery is all about! Continue reading to learn more about how you can see the world during your recovery.
“Welcoming Walks”
“Take to the hills for a workout your mind and body will love,” says Sian Lewis, author of “Welcoming walks” for Wellness Journal magazine. Lewis calls walking in nature “calming,” saying that “there’s a meditative state to be achieved in the gentle repetition of movement, and a heart-lifting sense of achievement to be found in covering ground.” Notice how we recommend walking. You don’t have to run a marathon to give yourself the exercise you need for recovery. You can, of course, but running marathons aren’t for everyone. Walking in nature will give you the benefits you need to stay on your journey to recovery.
“Wild About Water”
“Refresh, recalibrate, re-energize — wild swimming is good for the soul,” says Lewis. If you can get yourself out to the beach or a wild swimming spot such as a river or cove, you can benefit from the great outdoors. If you aren’t able to get to one of these spots, a pool will do. While you swim, your brain can “just be,” as you count your strokes and remind yourself to breathe. “Human beings are 60% water after all, so perhaps it’s time to step away from the bustle above the surface for a moment and come home,” urges Lewis.
“The Ride to Happiness”
“Looking to shake off the weight of the world?” questions Lewis. “Maybe it’s time to get on your bike.” Biking is another great form of exercise you can engage in during your recovery. It’s hard to be in your head, he says, “while you’re cycling along a country lane on a summer day, the wind in your hair and the pedals turning.” Lewis continues, “You can’t dwell on things for long when there are horizons to reach and miles of countryside to traverse.” Getting out and seeing the world while you get exercise is such a great thing for your recovery.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you find activities you can do that will help boost you in your recovery. Call us today at 844-413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you today!