How Is Hiking Therapy Beneficial?

Addiction impacts many aspects of a person’s life, including physical health and well-being. With rehabs implementing new therapeutic approaches to recover, activities such as hiking and hiking therapy are now often offered to clients. But can hiking help with recovery? In short, yes, there are many physical benefits of hiking. Mental benefits of hiking are also worth noting.

Beaches Recovery, a leading addiction treatment center in Jacksonville, Florida, includes activities like hiking therapy in their treatment regimen to improve the chances of a successful recovery. Call us at 866.605.0532 to learn more about the physical benefits of a hiking therapy program and how they help with addiction treatment.

What Are the Physical Benefits of Hiking During Recovery?

Physical activity helps release endorphins, which improves mood and happiness levels. During recovery, your mind and body undergo significant changes while adjusting to your new lifestyle and recovery goals. Exercising not only helps support healing, but can also improve your mood.

Nature can help improve mindfulness, which helps decrease stress and anxiety. Spending time outdoors also increases your Vitamin D intake, and higher levels of Vitamin D correlate with improved happiness. Hiking can also help stimulate the release of endorphins. When endorphins are released, they help stimulate pleasure by activating the brain’s opioid receptors and improving mood.

As opposed to higher intensity workouts like CrossFit, one of the physical benefits of hiking is that it is low impact, great for beginners, and suited for all age groups.

A few other important benefits of hiking therapy include:

• Increasing the number of new nerve connections in the brain
• Improves immunity and cardiovascular health
• Most hiking trails are free and open to the public, making hiking a cost-effective hobby

What Are the Mental Benefits of Hiking During Recovery?

First, spending time in nature actually combats depression. During recovery, that’s always helpful.

Mediation and mindfulness support recovery, which makes hiking an excellent activity because it combines nature and fitness. Some of the main benefits of hiking include:

• Improved mood: An addiction is depressing, even to the most mentally balanced person in the world.
• Cardiovascular health: It’s hard to remain physically fit in the midst of an addiction. Anything you can do to make your body healthier during recovery will pay dividends for you.
• A stronger immune system: It’s no secret that an active addiction runs your body down. By the time you enter rehab, your body is far from the best shape it has ever been in. Therefore, a boost to your immune system makes recovery that much easier.

Hiking is more commonly included in rehab programs because it promotes mental and physical well-being, while also giving you a new coping tool.

How To Incorporate Hiking Therapy into Your Treatment Program

Many inpatient rehabs, including Beaches Recovery, offer hiking therapy as part of their specialized addiction treatment programs. Considering the extensive number of benefits of hiking, treatment centers and rehabs may offer hiking, among other recreational activities. In fact, most inpatient rehabs implement at least some outdoor activities that help promote exercise and mindfulness.

Hiking is an option during free time or as part of group therapy. Working and playing together can do much to repair a person’s sense of well-being. For that reason, hiking therapy is widely available for addiction treatment patients.

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida Offers Extensive Hiking Opportunities

If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction and wants to reach out for help or support, Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida provides individualized treatment, specialized staff, and extensive experience with addiction treatment. We recognize the benefits of hiking and provide hiking therapy for personal enjoyment and growth. Located near the beautiful beaches of Jacksonville, Beaches Recovery is here for you or your loved one.

It’s time to look at a more well-rounded approach to addiction treatment and recovery. That includes hiking therapy as a complement to an evidence-based treatment program. To learn more about our services and programs, contact us at 866.605.0532 today.