It is March, which means winter is coming to a close, and spring is here to welcome the United States with warmer weather, blooming flora, and more sunshine. Now is the perfect time to emerge from winter hibernation and get back outside! As those that have been in recovery for a long time know, getting outside can boost your recovery in several ways. It can be hard to get back out there after several months inside due to cold weather, but there are ways to motivate yourself to get out and bolster your recovery. Learning about the benefits getting outside can have in your recovery and the specific activities you can engage in can be used as a refresher. Now is the time to change your routine and enjoy the fresh air!
Everyone has been stuck inside due to the cold weather. However, it is essential to remind you of the benefits of getting outside for your recovery. Knowing these benefits can motivate you to be more inclined to get back outside rather than dragging your feet coming out of winter hibernation. Here are the benefits of outdoor time for addiction recovery:
Getting outdoors and feeling the sun on your skin can improve your mood. Gone are the dreary winter months of gray skies and cold wind; now, you can soak up the sun and engage in your favorite outdoor activities. Doing this will help you stay more positive in recovery and improve your days overall. You may even find that symptoms of anxiety and depression are managed better when you are getting outside more.
Getting outside offers you different perspectives and opportunities for self-discovery. Depending on the activities you participate in, your awareness of both yourself and your surroundings will be heightened. This will allow your self-awareness to grow and invite further self-discovery opportunities in your recovery. You can learn more about your boundaries, comfort zone, and goals for the upcoming seasons involving outdoor activities.
Many people do not realize that being outside can be physical healing. This aspect of outdoor activity is essential for those in recovery because it helps reduce stress, improve mental health, and increase your endorphins depending on the exercise you do. You will learn to be more aware of your physical surroundings and your inner self, helping you heal the parts of yourself that you may have been avoiding while spending the dark winter months inside. Now is the best opportunity to take advantage of the outdoors for your healing.
Due to COVID and the cold weather, many have spent the past few months inside with limited human contact. While you still shouldn’t expose yourself to individuals you aren’t normally around, the warmer weather offers the chance to get outside and enjoy socially-distanced, ventilated hangouts.
You may have also found yourself isolating as a side effect of depression or as a coping mechanism. This can lead to communication problems in your interpersonal relationships. Getting back outside with others can help you work on these skills as you learn to be around others again. Depending on the activity, you may also learn how to get along better with others. Remember to stay safe, social distance, and look after your need for human contact in the process.
Now that it is time to get back outside, you may be lost about what to do first, especially if you are not typically an outdoors person. If this is the case, you don’t have to worry about doing adventurous activities that you may not enjoy. You can participate in simple activities just to get outside and boost your recovery. Consider these activities next time you want to get outdoors:
One of the easiest things you can do to get outside and get moving is to go for either a walk or a hike. These don’t need to be strenuous, and you can even just do half an hour of them before deciding to go back in. This easy activity will get you outside, get you moving, and doesn’t require a lot of time or energy.
If you are looking for more action, consider joining a sports league. This will get you more involved, exerting more energy, and have you spending time with others. Sports teams are also a great way to social distance and still have sober fun outside.
Getting outdoors is crucial for not only your mental health but your addiction recovery too. There are numerous benefits for your recovery by merely going outside, and even more when you take part in more energizing outdoor activities. To get out, consider activities you enjoy doing that are reasonable and safe in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. At NorthStar Transitions, we advocate for outdoor time for our clients and alumni because we understand how it can improve your recovery. If you are unsure what to do to get outside, call us. Being located amongst the Rocky Mountains in beautiful Boulder, CO, there is no shortage of suggestions we can come up with to help you embrace the outdoors. You can even ask us about our extensive alumni network to connect with others that want to get outside that may live locally. Call us today to get started at (303) 558-6400.
