Ah, the great outdoors. From hiking and backpacking to birding, gardening, or canoeing, being in nature is good for the soul, no matter if you’re struggling with addiction or not. Yet when you’re trying to overcome drug or alcohol abuse, the beauty of nature can actually help you heal mentally and physically. In fact, nature and therapy are very intertwined at times. As a result, outdoor therapy has become an important part of holistic addiction recovery treatment for its ability to promote relaxation, mindfulness, emotional wellness, and other benefits.
Outdoor Therapy Programs, Explained
Outdoor therapy, also known as nature therapy or nature-based therapy, is all about getting you out of the traditional indoor clinic or therapy environment and into nature. The purpose of outdoor therapy can be twofold: to enhance your overall well-being and wellness, as well as to challenge you to overcome the limitations that have held you back and develop better self-efficacy. By accomplishing these goals, you’re in an ideal position to break free from your addiction and achieve long-term healing.
Outdoor therapy programs can take on various forms, depending on the inpatient rehab center and your personal needs. Some programs can be very action-oriented, designed to get you into unfamiliar environments in a group setting. Others can be more contemplative, relaxed, and solitary. With that said, there are three common types of outdoor therapeutic programs: adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, and ecotherapy.
What is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure or adventure-based therapy challenges your self-limiting beliefs by helping you learn to take responsibility for your actions, act boldly, and understand risk and reward, shares Verywellmind.com. Adventure therapy programs are often located near an addiction or mental health treatment facility, which means they’re included as part of inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab. The activity settings themselves are more likely created versus totally natural, so they may include a ropes course or challenge course, a zip line, or a rock climbing wall.
Typically action-oriented, adventure therapy is often conducted through small group participation in an unfamiliar environment. An outdoor therapist may even participate in the activity alongside you, assessing your capabilities and behaviors. Adventure-based therapy can also take on more recreational therapy activities, including:
- Canoeing
- Swimming
- Horseback riding
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Skiing
- Paddleboarding
What is Wilderness Therapy?
Wilderness therapy truly brings you into the wilds of the outdoors, hence the name. Designed to immerse you in nature, wilderness therapy programs may involve multi-day hiking, backpacking, and camping trips in remote wilderness settings. You’re typically with the same group of people the whole time. The purpose of this type of nature-based therapy is to help you develop endurance and resilience, as well as learn how to adapt to new, challenging situations.
In addition to navigating both the elements and the outdoors, wilderness therapy may incorporate adventure therapy activities, problem-solving challenges, individual and group therapy, and self-reflective exercises. Though wilderness therapy can be difficult, it’s meant to create self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment that are both critical to maintaining sobriety. The solitude of nature and lack of distractions can also put your addiction and greater life choices into perspective.
What is Ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy puts great emphasis on nature’s healing powers. The core belief behind ecotherapy is that people are deeply connected to both their environment and to the earth itself, according to Healthline.com. In other words, if you’re not spending time in nature, your well-being can be negatively impacted.
As nature healing therapy, ecotherapy programming also prioritizes a two-way relationship with nature, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the area. This may look like picking up trash, planting trees, or helping with recycling needs. Ecotherapy can range from unstructured activities like a walk amongst the trees to specific therapeutic wilderness programs led by an outdoor therapist. More intentional ecotherapy activities can include:
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Mindfulness meditation
- Working in the outdoors on a farm or in a community garden
- Forest bathing or forest therapy
- Outdoor yoga or other green exercise
Why Outdoor Therapy is So Effective in Addiction Recovery
Outdoor therapy activities can lead to positive outcomes for both mental health disorders and addictions. But how does outdoor therapy help people overcome substance abuse and achieve lasting healing? Here are several ways outdoor therapy makes an impact on your recovery:
Provides Relaxation
It’s a wonder how we’re able to leave distractions and worries behind when we spend time in nature. As an addict, often your life is full of stressful experiences and negative thoughts that drive you to seek out unhealthy coping mechanisms. However, outdoor therapy can actually help you reduce stress and create opportunities for you to rest, relax, and mentally reset. With less stress and more relaxation, you’re able to improve your mood and block out negative thoughts.
Promotes Mindfulness
As a result of being in a more relaxed state away from distractions, you have the opportunity to cultivate mindfulness with outdoor therapy programs. Mindfulness is the practice of developing awareness of your surroundings and remaining present—not letting your thoughts of the past or future (which often create stress) drive your thinking and actions. By practicing mindfulness, you can perceive thoughts and emotions without judging or reacting to them, shares the American Psychological Association. By utilizing mindfulness in the outdoors, you can respond to future negative thoughts and emotions in a less reactionary, more thoughtful way—leading to healthier emotional wellness.
Boosts Physical Health
By engaging in outdoor therapy activities, you can increase your physical fitness. When you’re in the throes of addiction, often your physical health is the last thing on your mind. As a result, you can make poor choices that hurt your physical health. However, outdoor therapy can be just the medicine you need, as being in nature boosts your physical activity—which ultimately makes you feel better. And with better physical health, you’re more equipped to navigate the rigors of the addiction recovery process successfully.
Encourages Self-Efficacy, Resiliency, and Personal Responsibility
When you’ve tried and failed multiple times to stop an addiction, it’s easy to believe that you can’t see something through to completion. Outdoor therapy—especially adventure and wilderness therapy—shows that you can in fact overcome hard things. By learning how to navigate challenges in nature, such as a ropes course or a multi-day camping trip, and actually following through on your accomplishment, you walk away with more resiliency and personal commitment to the tasks ahead, namely your recovery.
Builds Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness
As you participate in outdoor therapeutic programs that require you to step out of your comfort zone, you learn a lot about yourself. You may become more aware of your fears and anxieties, yet at the same time you can also discover that they don’t have to hold you back. And because you’ve done something uncomfortable but have come out on the other side safely, it builds your self-confidence. As a result, your improved self-awareness and self-confidence can become powerful tools to create lasting change and achieve real healing.
Creates Foundational Personal Experiences
The way addiction works behind the scenes, your body and mind become conditioned to the ongoing dopamine hits you receive through your substance abuse. But outdoor therapy can show you that you can also get a “high” from healthier activities that don’t require alcohol or drugs. This equips you to seek out healthier ways to cope when you’re struggling in the future with addiction symptoms or negative feelings. Therapeutic outdoor experiences can also be incredibly impactful, leaving a lasting impression on you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Outdoor therapy helps you build the foundational realization that there’s more to the world out there—and more that you’re capable of—giving you an open mind in your recovery.
Enhances Community and Interpersonal Skills
Addiction can drive you into social isolation as you choose alcohol or drugs over spending time with friends or family. But with adventure therapy, wilderness therapy, and other nature-based therapies, you often work alongside a group of people. Over time, you can develop a shared experience and bond with others in these activities. Not only does this cultivate community and a sense of belonging, but it also teaches you better interpersonal skills to navigate conflicts and challenges in the future—all key ingredients needed to stay the course in your sobriety long-term.
Where Outdoor Therapy Fits in Holistic Addiction Recovery
Outdoor therapy programs bring a lot to the table by helping you grow mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. After all, your healthy well-being is critical to your lasting recovery. However, outdoor therapy is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a comprehensive, holistic addiction recovery plan.
When you’re seeking professional help for your drug or alcohol addiction, it’s best to participate in treatment that utilizes multiple experiential therapies, like outdoor therapy, art therapy, and music therapy. Yet you also want your residential treatment center to offer traditional, evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing, to put you on the best path toward healing.
At Defining Wellness Centers in Mississippi, we prioritize your lasting recovery and your overall well-being in our addiction treatment programs. Combining experiential therapies (including outdoor therapy programs), personal fitness and nutrition, and evidence-based therapies, our holistic approach to recovery can help you reclaim your life. If you’re ready to get started, contact us today.
