Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
-John Muir
We’re Located in the Heart of the Sierras
Arnold is a small town. With a population of about 3,000 people, we don’t have a lot by way of city centers, cultural landmarks or artsy hubs. However, there’s one thing that we have in spades: natural beauty.
Located in the heart of the Sierras, Arnold is home to some of the most beautiful country that you’ve ever seen. People come here because they’re looking for something outside of the bustle and hype of the modern world. Instead, they’re looking for ways to reconnect with what matters the most. They’re looking for moments of calm and clarity, surrounded by the overwhelming beauty of nature.
The Sierras are famous for destinations like Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. However, we believe that some of the most stunning views of the Sierras can be found here in Arnold. Surrounded by national forests and state parks, Arnold treasures its outdoor resources and takes time to enjoy them. You can find peace meditating by the side of a crystal-clear alpine lake, or walking a stretch of the Arnold Rim Trail.
Nature’s Effect on Our Mental Health
Numerous studies have found that nature has a direct impact on our mental health. One study measured cortisol levels in people who had just taken a walk in a park versus people who had just walked along a city street. The study concluded that green spaces can significantly reduce the amount of stress that we feel. Other studies have found that greenery increases creative thinking and productivity. One landmark study showed that being surrounded by nature has the power to draw us out of cyclical thinking. Cyclical thinking doesn’t sound so bad until you realize that it’s the kind of thing that gets us stuck in self-deprecating patterns that lead to depression, or makes us focus on cravings and addictions instead of finding something new to occupy our attention and desires.
Nature has a naturally soothing effect because hard-wired into human biology is the awareness that we need water, food, and fresh air. The sight of greenery signals to our brains that our needs are provided for. When we see that nature is thriving and peaceful, we know that we can be too.
An important part of our rehabilitation model is outdoor therapy and experiences that draw us out of ourselves and into nature. Come visit us to learn more.