4 Ways Being Outdoors Helps With Trauma And Mental Health Recovery
For millennia, people have written about the joys of being in nature. Now that nature is no longer as much a part of our lives as it was for our forebears, it’s become clear that humans are, in a way, meant to be in touch with the wild and that our modern lifestyles are, to put it mildly, wreaking havoc on our mental health.
Today, urban planners fully understand that views of green spaces, bodies of water, and other natural features can significantly improve a space’s ambiance and “feel.” However, there is now growing evidence that being in nature and doing activities in a natural setting can also help our minds heal.
For instance, it’s been found that patients with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are likely to benefit from regular outdoor exposure, either through nature hikes or by doing regular therapy sessions outdoors.
Because PTS and PTSD often contribute to substance use disorder (SUD) and other mental health issues like generalized anxiety disorder, this kind of intervention has the potential to reduce the load on our overburdened mental healthcare system dramatically.
Below are some of the ways nature therapy may be beneficial for trauma. If you’re in North Texas and need to learn about rehabs that offer regular outdoor and nature therapy, check out this resource on inpatient drug rehabs in Dallas, TX.
1. It Gives Opportunities For Enjoyable Exercise
People with trauma and other mental health conditions will often benefit from some form of regular exercise. Exercise can help burn off anxious energy, which is usually common in people who have experienced trauma. It also makes your body release natural hormones that could help stabilize your mood and improve sleep — a problem often encountered by people with PTS and PTSD.
While exercise in urban areas is undoubtedly a good option, nature also offers other perks that we’ll discuss later. If one has access to the beach, safe forest or desert trails, or other suitable natural features, chances are these offer enjoyable exercise opportunities for people of all ages.
Hiking, swimming, kayaking, and cycling are just some of the more common moderate-impact outdoor activities that could help recovering individuals get the necessary exercise. If one is up to the challenge, one can also try strenuous activities like rock climbing, cross-country skiing, surfing, and trail running.
Apart from their stress and anxiety-busting benefits, many of these exercises allow participants to be in a focused, meditative state, which in itself has direct benefits for reducing the effects of mental trauma.
2. Enjoying Nature May Help Build And Improve Emotional Resilience
While it takes much more than a nature trip to heal people with severe traumas, there is growing evidence that outdoor therapy can build emotional resilience in children and adults. Some studies suggest that activities held in the elements help make a sense of control that influences other aspects of our lives.
Emotional resilience is usually defined as the ability to continue normal functioning after experiencing trauma. We can adapt and overcome when we’re faced with a severe event.
Resilience, however, is not an all-or-nothing quality. Unfortunately, trauma has a way of expressing itself in ways that are not obvious to either the victim or outside observers. Trauma survivors could be functional or superficially productive while also engaging in self-destructive behaviors like using drugs, stress eating, gambling, or impulse buying. Having better resilience may help prevent these negative behaviors from happening.
Outdoor activities in small groups are especially beneficial for improving emotional resilience for people of all ages. These group activities can build a sense of “relatedness” that can prevent recovering individuals from reaching for unhealthy coping strategies.
3. We Tend To Be Happier And Less Anxious When Close To Nature
Studies on groups of people with PTSD (particularly combat veterans and other people who encounter continuous traumatic experiences) seem to show that being in nature or in places that mimic nature, like parks and gardens, can significantly improve PTS and PTSD symptoms. Engaging in exercise and mindfulness practices in these settings further enhances this effect.
Could you explain why this is the case? However, given the benefits, natural settings may eventually be key to cost-effective trauma interventions in an increasingly overburdened healthcare system.
4. It Offers Opportunities For Social Bonding And Peer Support
The growing evidence in favor of outdoor therapy has also made it an increasingly popular supplemental intervention for all kinds of mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and even substance use disorder. In the context of trauma recovery, outdoor and nature therapy is often done in a group setting, which offers a variety of benefits for recovering individuals.
Because participants in group therapy sessions tend to have similar or at least relatable experiences, recovering individuals can better let their guard down without fear of being misunderstood. Group therapy is also a source of new friendships and bonds, which may remain vital throughout one’s life.
One may not have to join these outdoor group therapy sessions to benefit. Simply bonding with others over shared interests can help recovering individuals heal and move on.
Being in nature doesn’t only feel good; it may also help us heal from invisible mental scars. For people with severe psychological trauma, exposure to nature can be key to allowing conventional therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication-assisted therapy to do its work.
As with any supplemental approach, nature therapy is not a substitute for conventional psychiatric intervention. However, because nature therapy is flexible and relatively easy to implement, virtually anybody could try it out, with nothing to lose and much more to gain.
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Another Tips About 4 Ways Being Outdoors Helps With Trauma And Mental Health Recovery
Dealing with trauma and mental health issues can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for many individuals.
However, spending time outdoors is one powerful and effective way to aid recovery. Being in nature has been proven to have numerous benefits for mental health and can help individuals cope with trauma in a healthy and healing way.
1. Connection with Nature
We can connect with nature and the world when we spend time outdoors. This connection can be incredibly grounding and soothing for individuals who have experienced trauma. Being in nature can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote peace and relaxation.
Additionally, spending time in nature can help individuals feel connected to something greater than themselves, which can be healing for those who have experienced trauma. This connection can give individuals a greater sense of purpose and meaning, which can be essential for mental health recovery.
2. Physical Activity
Engaging in physical activity outdoors can have a significant impact on mental health and trauma recovery. Exercise has been shown to release endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. This can help individuals who have experienced trauma to feel better both physically and mentally.
Furthermore, outdoor physical activity can help individuals release pent-up energy and emotions healthily. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD as a result of trauma.
3. Mindfulness and Being Present
Spending time outdoors can also encourage mindfulness and being present in the moment. In nature, we are surrounded by the natural world’s sights, sounds, and smells, which can help ground us in the present moment and foster a sense of mindfulness.
Practicing mindfulness can be incredibly beneficial for trauma recovery as it can help individuals observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment and develop greater self-awareness. Being present at the moment can also help individuals to let go of worries about the past or future, which can be particularly challenging for those who have experienced trauma.
4. Social Connection
Finally, outdoor time can promote social connection, which is essential for mental health and trauma recovery. Being in nature with others can give individuals a sense of belonging and community, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Additionally, spending time outdoors with others can help individuals build supportive relationships and create positive memories, healing those who have experienced trauma. Sharing experiences in nature with others can help individuals feel understood, accepted, and connected.
Spending time outdoors can have numerous benefits for individuals who are dealing with trauma and mental health issues.
Whether it’s connecting with nature, engaging in physical activity, practicing mindfulness, or fostering social connection, being outdoors can provide individuals with a healing and supportive environment to cope with trauma and promote mental health recovery.