Outdoor activities in addiction recovery offer significant benefits for mental and physical health. At Studio City Recovery, we integrate nature therapy into our programs to develop healthy coping skills and enhance the healing process. This blog highlights the importance of outdoor activities and the specific options available at our facility to support recovery.

Benefits of Nature and Outdoor Activities for Mental Health

Studies show that spending time in nature can significantly reduce depression and anxiety in people struggling with mood dysregulation. This is why outdoor activities in addiction recovery are a key component on the journey toward healing. Exercising outside has been linked to healing trauma such as PTSD and helping clients manage stress by lowering cortisol levels. When you are immersed in nature you are more present in your body, connecting you to your environment. This is a natural way to find grounding and calm. At Studio City Recovery we do not overlook the importance and mental health benefits of nature in recovery. 

Specific Outdoor Activities Available at Studio City Recovery

At Studio City Recovery we are always incorporating new ways to include outdoor therapy for substance abuse recovery because we know how effective it can be. Here are some effective activities known to boost mental and physical health during the recovery process. 

‍

Hiking 

Hiking is a great activity for unplugging from the outside world. Engaging in something physically challenging in nature pulls you out of your head and into the present moment. Also the feeling of accomplishment and reward you get from reaching the top helps rewire your mind to enjoy new ways to activate that reward center in the brain that can keep you stuck in an additive cycle. 

‍

Gardening 

Get those hands dirty! Not only is gardening good for getting outside and burning some calories, it creates a routine that calls for tender loving care and attention. When you commit to a routine of slow steady growth, stress levels improve and so does overall neuronal development and repair. 

‍

Team Sports 

Team sports is a great way to build community. Working together on a common goal and pushing forward to achieve something outside of yourself is a universal connector. So much of substance abuse is centered  around isolation. By connecting with others through team sports one may find a deeper sense of belonging and acceptance. 

‍

Yoga 

Roll out your yoga mat under the shade of a tree and get centered. Slow stretching movement connected to deep belly breathing is the best way to reset the nervous system and release stored tension and trauma that gets stuck in the body.

Enhancement of Social Connections and Community Building Through Group Activities

Establishing social connections around healthy hobbies in addiction recovery is a key component for the recovery process. One of the key contributors of substance abuse is lack of community and social isolation. Since the beginning of time humans were made to live in community. As times have changed and evolved it has become harder to create and cultivate meaningful connections with others. Daily stressors like long commutes in the car, hours of screen time at work and at home keep us isolated which takes a toll on our mental health. Social connections through group outdoor activities during recovery can work to counteract the negative effects of ongoing isolation. 

Improvement in Physical Health and Fitness Levels

You have probably heard the sentiment “change your habits, change your life” and this is a real life example of that in action. The progress in your physical health and fitness levels will improve exponentially with an outdoor exercise routine. You will also be getting natural vitamin D which will improve your energy levels and boost your mood increasing your stamina and ability to function effectively. 

Reduction in Stress and Anxiety Through Exposure to Natural Environments

One of the key contributors in substance abuse is poor stress tolerance and a lack of coping skills when it comes to dealing with stress. Focusing on stress reduction in recovery is key and implementing outdoor activities is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get results. Nature is the great resetter so starting there and tuning out the hustle and bustle of modern culture will help you reconnect to yourself.

Development of New Hobbies and Interests That Support a Sober Lifestyle

When one enters recovery there is a “death of self” that must take place before the healthier sober version of you can emerge. As you start to let go of that person you used to be, stuck on the hamster wheel of keeping up with your addiction, you may find that you have much more open time and space to fill your day with. It is crucial that you create supportive hobbies during your addiction recovery that can aid in lasting sobriety. These sober lifestyle activities are going to be important tools as you begin to step away from the existence you used to live in and reconnect to the beautiful world around you. 

Reach out to Studio City Recovery today and we will help you bridge that gap.