Because of our location in the heart of the beautiful Sierra Mountains, we are privileged to offer our clients several opportunities to take advantage of the healing power that nature offers. One of the many outdoor activities that we practice with our clients is kayaking. Here is a brief look at how kayaking can help promote a stronger recovery from addiction.
Reap the benefits of both exercise and nature.
Numerous studies have proven the benefits that both exercise and nature can bring to an individual’s recovery. Exercise, for example, can help reduce stress levels and release mood enhancing endorphins in your body naturally. Exercise also helps to strengthen your body at a time when you are healing from the negative health effects of addiction. Nature, meanwhile, is known to relieve mental distress, lower stress levels, and promote more feelings of inner peace. When you consider the fact that kayaking allows you to take advantage of the many benefits that both exercise and nature have to offer, you can rest assured that kayaking as part of a comprehensive treatment program will help strengthen your recovery considerably.
Experience tranquility.
We’ve already noted that spending time in nature helps promote more feelings of inner peace. Spending time on the open water can help increase these feelings of inner peace even more, as water is often associated with tranquility. As you move your kayak gently on the water, you’ll experience a type of tranquility that is found in few other places.
Work with others.
Kayaking can also be a bonding experience. You might row or paddle your own kayak alongside other individuals in recovery, or you might share a kayak with someone else and work together to move your kayak. In this way, kayaking helps you build camaraderie with other individuals in recovery, ultimately helping you to build your support system and learn the value of working together toward a common goal.
Find a new hobby.
Many of our clients leave our program with a newfound love for the outdoors and activities like kayaking. When you make kayaking a part of your recovery from addiction, you have the opportunity to acquaint yourself with a peaceful activity that you can enjoy long after your leave your recovery program. You may even find that kayaking becomes a central part of your new, sober life after addiction, helping keep you sober for good.