Helping people in recovery with the power of nature
Understanding the importance of nature in early recovery is key to long term wellbeing.
Understanding the importance of nature in early recovery is key to long term wellbeing.
It seems to be the case that people have a block on being able to see, hear, feel, taste and smell, their senses have been overwhelmed while using drugs and alcohol.
Finding connections with nature has been key to recovery and as part of the Lived Experience programme there is a focus on learning mindfulness using nature. We are incredibly lucky to have the beach, the Norfolk Broads and the wider countryside close to us and the benefits of these environments has proven to be key to people accessing our support.
One resident said that he had “never seen a rainbow” This seems astounding. After a few months of recovery and being part of our nature sessions, he said, “Hey guess what I took a photo of today, a rainbow, I saw a rainbow and it was so wonderful I had to take a photo.”
This connection has been shown in many other people's journey’s and those who discovered the beauty of nature around them had more successful and sustainable recovery’s than those who did not make this connection with nature. We've had the opportunity of working with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, The Broads Authority and Green Space Dark Skies. These have all been activities that members of the Collective say have had the biggest impact on their recovery. The benefit of nature offers an opportunity for reflection and spirituality. By unplugging from technology, our members say they have been able to reconnect with their inner selves on a deeper level. Nature’s beauty can awaken senses lost in the turmoil of addiction and homelessness and inspire gratitude to be alive and part of a wider community. The Lived Experience Practitioners use the incentive of trips into nature to engage people in the project. There is robust evidence that being out in nature can also alleviate withdrawal symptoms during addiction recovery and being surrounded by nature brings a sense of calmness which can reduce discomfort. We believe that being able to incorporate more outdoor nature-based activities enhances the recovery of those people who are already on their recovery journey but also encourage those contemplating giving up using substances, into recovery. Our experience is that being in nature improves our people’s mental well-being, strengthens the immune system and regulates sleep patterns. Fresh air, natural scenery, and physical activity combine to create a powerful environment for healing and restoration.
